The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-01
REPRISAL THREAT
SENT TO GERMANY
Lansing Replies That Action
Will Be Taken II Our Pris.
oners Are Slain.
WILL RETAIN SHOTGUN
Use Not Forbidden, but
Flammenwerfers and Poison
Gas Are Banned by Treaty.

WARRINGTON. Sept. so-The Amen.
ran Government in reply 10 Germany,s
threat to execute American prisoners o.
war found IN possession of shotsuns
gave notice to-day that II Germany car
ried out any such threats suitable re-
prisals would be taken.
Secretary Lansing's reply TO the Ger.
man protest asserted that the use %
shotguns was sanctioned by tho Hague
conventions, and that In comparison with
other weapons now used in modern war.
fare the shotguns used By tho American
troops could not be the subject Of leglu
mate or reasonable protest.
After acknowledging receipt or tbe
memorandum submitted through the
Swiss Legation communicating the Ger
man protest Secretary Lansing said
In reply 20 the German protest tho
Government OF tho United States has
to say that the provision of the
Hague convention cited In the protest
does not in It's opinion forbid the use
of this kind of weapon. Moreover. In
view Of the history OF the shotgun az
n weapon OF warfare, and in view Of
the well known effects of It's present
use, and In tho light of comparison
OF it with other weapons approved in
warfare, the shotgun now in use by
the American army cannot be the sub
ject of legitimate or reasonable pro-
test.
Will Not Abandon It's Use.
The Government OF tho United
States notes the threat OF the German
Government to execute every prisoner
Of war found to have in his possession
shotguns or shotgun ammunition. Not
withstanding this threat, inasmuch as
the weapon Is lawful and may be
rightfully used, It's use will not be
abandoned by the American army.
Moreover. IL the German Government
should carry out It's threat in a single
instance It will be the right and duty
OF the Government Of the United
States to make such reprisal as will
best protect the American forces, and
notice is hereby given OF the intention
of the Government OF the United
states to make such reprisals.
The protest OF tho German Govern
ment. submitted through tho Swiss
Charge ad interim, follows.
The German Government protests
against the use of shotguns OF the
American army and calls attention to
the fact, according to the law Of war
tKriegsricht"). every prisoner Of war
found to have in his Possession such
guns or ammunition belonging thereto
forfeits his life. This protest is based
upon Article % (E) OF the Hague
convention respecting laws and GUS
toms OF war on land. Reply by cable
is required before October /. 1918.
Article Aimed at Cruelty,
The article Of the Hague convention
on which Germany based its protest was
that forbidding the employment OF farms.
pro1ecttles or materials calculated to
cause unnecessary suffering"
Officials said the prohibition Ia d.
rected not against efficiency In killing
wound.ng or injuring. but against cruelty
and terrorism. Within such prohibited
category. they said, falls chlorine gas
"hammenwerfers' or sawtooth bayonets
used by the Germans.
The shotgun. II was contended, Is eH.
actly analogous to shrapnel shells dis
charging a multitude of small bullets, or
machine gun discharg!ng q spray o;
pointed bullets