The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-03
Won Bernstorf Tells of Supple
mental Instructions Author
izing Sailinss
AMERICAN CRAFT
WILL NOT BE MOLESTED
Provided They Cary No Con-
traband Of War and Travel
Routes scribed Number
oil Salines Not to Be Limited
IN r.. II. ~.NETWIIL.
tstaH Correspondent Of the Inter-

NNiAH correspondent al the Inter-
national News ~cr,i,r.b
Washington. Feb. 2-tcrnans
- prepared to 90 10 any lengths
to protect Nmcrit an ship. Amer
ican passengers. and american
mails in the new submarine
blockade OF thc coasts of the en-
tcntc powers.
supplemental in~tru, tons to-
Ambassador von BgTnstorn. il
wa. announced N the German
tmla>>y fonis hi. accompanied the
GCiman declaration Of renewed
>utmarinr warfare, and author-
s1cd thC ambassador to clear the
way for tic safe passage Of
lnc picsu liners. The amhss
dor declared that itc wotld make
cry pu-.;ihic effort Ia facilitate
''ic sa'fiaS sud safe transatlantic
lasi -SaRc al amy and all American
hips.
sAttGt ARD 4. :, SHIPS.
Germany desires to safeguard
ia every possible way the lives aud
property OF American citizens cn
the high seas" he declared.
II was clear that The German
~nh,,~y believed that thi- an-
.tount~mcnt might in some way
ctC The growing tension he
!wts',, tIr two countries aud point
tils wa, for u settlement OF tn
pcnaiug "putroSCr~N
The mbs s~adur stated that IN con
neetiou with tho German uo.e de
,'t, oh
hIe government had accorded him tn,
poecr Of extending 70 nlf bona ffd,
american ships the privilege oS avoid
tnG the blockade, He sail dat ta
structions sent him AT the time tht
note was transmitted authorize hilr
IA issue permits for the sailing OF
any at all American ships that vii
with the German contra bant
regulations. and will follow the course
laid down IN the note for American
vessels
Under my Instructions said IN,
ambassador. II am authorized 10 in.
ciltate the sailing of anS and al
American ships carving passengers
mails and freight, which does no
rone under the German Contrahant
Justification. l havc nat had an on.
portunity to present this matter tC
he State Department. because of the
disturbed condition o. affairs there
| shalt do sp AZ the Hrst opportunity
however
Would ENSURE ]nfc Passage
Amhassador Won Bernstorf sale
that his Instructions vested in him
the authority to issue permits whicf
would ensure safe passage through
the submarine barred zone Of an,
American ships which he helieiet
faithfully compiled with Germany
conditions. He said that these YES
sells would he required to follow III,
route laid down for the one ship g
week permitted by the terms of the
German note. The ambassador ex
planned that the limitation of one
ship a week was fixed because thu
American Line. the only European
shipping line operating under Tho
American flag had only four ships
md, could maintain a schedule of only
one ship a week. Any American shir
owner he said. would be given pei.
mission to sail. IL ne would agree tc
follow the terms laid down in ths
note. as to cargo and as to the course
to he followed. The American Line
he said could augment its feet tc
any extent, and would he allowed &c
send as Macy ships az it liked unde,
the guarantees required.
The amba ssador was asked whethel
American ships would Toe allowed Il
proceed to kirkwall rather than tt
Falmouth. as prescribed in the note
aut he asserted that this would bt
Impossible. owing to the location al
Kirkwall In the center of the barred
zone about Great Britain