New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-08
Other Europeans Protest
but Fear to Join Will
son in Break
BRAZIL WARNS BERLIN
AGAINST CLOSING SEA
Remainder of South Amer
lean Nations Wavering,
but Incline Toward u. 5.

Madrid. Feb. Spain, in her reply
to Germany's newest declaration of sea
terrorism. challenges the entire U-boat
policy of the Berlin authorities. The
Governments note rests, baslcally,
upon the same foundations as those
President Wilson has urged since the
war egan-international law, respect
for neutral rights and preservation OF
human life.
81 must say that the note caused
very painful impression on the span
ish government. The attitude of strict
neutrality which Spain adopted from
the beginning and has maintained with
LOYALTY and unshakable frmness gives
her the right to expect that the lives
of her subjects engaged IN sea trade
should not be placed in such grave
peril.
at also gives her the right to eX-
meet that that trade should not ne
troubled nor diminished by such an n
crease in the extent of the zones N
which the Imperial Government insists
that. in order to attain ITS enrs, !;
must use all weapons and suppress all
limitations which il has hitherto I'M
posed upon its methods OF naval war
fare.
"Even before the Imperial govern
ment had set aside these restrictions
his Maiesty's government had protest
cd, holding them insufficient to comply,
with the prescriptions OF international
maritime law. But the methods OF war
announced by Germany are being car
ried TO such an unexpected and UMPIRE
cedented extreme that the spanish
government. considering its rights ana
the requirements of its neutrality,
must with still more reason protest
calmly but firmly TO the lmperlal gov
,,nment and must make at the same
,iun the necessary reserves, imposed
by the legitimate presumption OF III
eiuctable responsibility when the I'M
nerial government assumes, prlnclpaiiy
in view of the loss of life whlch l'S
attitude may cause.
oils Maiesty's government bases lt9
nrotest on the fact that the deeis'on
"a completely close the road 10 Ger
tain seas by substituting for the m
disnutable right of capture IN cerld'"
cases pretended right 81 des,ruC
ton in all cases Ia outside the legai
nrinciples of international lie. hDoV'
iii and beyond all il considers that inc
extension, in the form announced u
this pretended right OF Destruction W
Tho lives of non-combatants ana lhc
subjects of neutral nations such a.
Snain is contrary to the principles on
served by all nations even III moments
of the greatest violence. q.
of the German government as ~
savs expccts that the Spanish people
and government will not close their
cars to the reasons which have caused
its decision and hopes that they VIII CO,
onerate TO avoid further calamltles ana
sacrifices of human life, it Will also un-
derstand that the Spanish government
while disposed TO lend at the proper
time its initiative and support to every
thing that could contribute TO the al,
vent of a peace more and more wished
for. cannot admit the legality Of eN-
ceptional methods of warfare.
These methods. indeed, notwith-
standing SPANS rights as neutral
and her scrupulous fuliilment OF the
duties incumbent on her as such, make
more difficult. and even stop altogeth-
or. her sea trade, compromising her
economic life and threatening with
grave dangers the lives OF her subjects.
ellis maiesty's government, support
I'd more firmly than ever by the JUS
tice of it's position, does not doubt that
the imperial government, inspired .oy
the sentiments of friendship which
unite the two countries, will find, not
withstanding the severe exigencies OF
this terrible war, means of giving sat
isfacton to SPANS claims. These
claims are based on the ineXorable
duty which binds a government to pro-
tect the lives of its subjects and main
tain the integrity of its sovereignty so
that the course OF national existence
be not interrupted. For the reasons
set out his majesty's government feels
itself fully sustained in its position by
reason and law"