11 February: Difference between revisions

*Cargo of S.S. ''{{SS|Wilhelmina''}} seized and placed in Prize Court.

*[[USA]] Notes to the United Kingdom on the use of neutral flag<ref group="note">The United States Government, while not denying that a belligerent ship may lawfully use a neutral flag when in imminent danger of capture or destruction, states that it would view "with anxious solicitude" any general use of the United States flag by British vessels.</ref> (see [[7 February]]) and to [[Germany]] on the conditions of the submarine "blockade".<ref group="note">The Note states that the possibilities arising out of the conditions of Germany's submarine policy are viewed by the United States Government "with such grave concern" that it feels compelled to request the german Government to consider the critical situation....which might arise were German naval forces....to destroy any merchant vessel of the United States or to cause the death of American citizens...." The German Government is reminded that "the sole right of a belligerent dealing with neutral vessels on the high seas is limited to visit and search, unless a blockade is proclaimed and effectively maintained, which (the United States Government) does not understand to be proposed." If the commanders of German vessels of war should destroy American vessels or the lives of American citizens, "it would be difficult" for the US Government to view the act as anything but "an indefensible violation of neutral rights." In such a case, it "would be constrained to hold the Imperial Government to a strict accountability....and to take any steps which might be necessary to safeguard American lives and property...."</ref>