Evening star., 1939-10-03
j. ). Vessels Warned
By Reich 10 Avoid
Suspicious Tactics
Hull Renews PIeu
To Avoid Sailing on
BeIliqerent Ships
0y the Associated Press.

Sy the Associated Press.
AGerman warning to American
merchant ships to avoid suspicious
behavior" in waters around Great
Britain and France was announced
last night shortly after Secretary Of
State Hull had made a new plea to
United States citizens to avoid travel
on ships of belligerents.
Secretary Hull made it clear that
under the Neutrality Act, Americans
rightfully could return home on YES
sels.of warning nations for so days
after october S, but added that he
regarded such travel "as dangerous
considering the character of the
warfare that is now in progress"
The warning about ship conduct
was received by the State Depart
ment and transmitted to the Mari
time Commission and the Navy
photographic Office, which, in turn
forwarded 1t to American merchant
vessels and port authorities.
Warns Against Conveys.
The German note advised against
such suspicious acts as change of
course, use of radio on sighting
German warship, zig-zagging,
screening lights, failing to obey a
demand to stop and accepting con-
voy by British or French naval
forces.
A State Department official said
the warning was, in effect, an ac-
ceptance of the decision by Presi-
dent Roosevelt that American mer-
chant vessels should not be conveyed
or zig gag, but should show their
true colors and at night have all
lights burning.
The German note read:
Neutral merchant vessels have
repeatedly attempted in the waters
around France and England to
evade the exercise of the rights of
German naval forces, granted by in
ternational law, of stoppage and
search. Besides, they have repeat
edly aroused suspicion of attack or
unneutral acts by improper behavior.
"The government of the Reich,
therefore, begs to call the attention
of American merchant vessels travel
ing into the waters mentioned, to
the fact that in their own interest
and in order to prevent confusion
with naval or auxiliary ships of the
enemy, especially at night, they
should avoid any suspicious behavior,
particularly change of course and
use Of the radio apparatus upon
sighting German naval forces, zig
tagging, screening lights, failing to
obey demand to stop, and accept
ance of convoy by naval forces of
the powers at war with Germany"
Britain to Arm Merchantmen.
Secretary Hull had issued his
warning after statements in London
that British merchantmen would be
armed and in Berlin that subma-
rines might sink armed merchant
men without warning He said:
While under international law
American citizens have a perfect
right to travel on belligerent YES
sells, and while under our statutes
they may travel on such vessels en-
route from a foreign country to the
United States for an additional
period of 60 days from October 5,
regard such travel as dangerous con-
sidering the character of the war
fare that is now in progress.
Il, therefore, call upon all Amer
lean citizens, in their own interest
and in the interest of their Govern
ment, to refrain from exercising
their rights which they have in this
respect. This Government has gone
to considerable trouble and expense
to make available to American cit
izens in belligerent countries Amer
ican vessels for their return to the
United States and, fortunately, most
of them who have desired to return
have been accommodated.
ut is, therefore, to be hoped that
those who may still be in foreign
countries and who desire to return
to the United States will travel on
American vessels or other neutral
vessels and thus avoid the danger
inherent in travelling on vessels of
belligerent countries within the