neutral flags ordered on January 31 by the
British Government and of the accidents of
naval war, it cannot always be avoided to
strike even neutral ships in attacks that are
directed at enemy ships.

"3. Northward navigation around the Shetland
Islands, in the eastern waters of the North Sea
and in a strip of not less than thirty miles
width along the Netherlands coast is in no
danger.

"VON POHL,
"Chief of the Admiral Staff of the Navy.
"Berlin, February 4, 1915."

[Sidenote: Submarine blockade declared.]

This was accompanied by a so-called memorial, setting forth the reasons
advanced by the German Government in support of the issuance of this
proclamation, an extract from which is as follows:

"Just as England declared the whole North Sea
between Scotland and Norway to be comprised
within the seat of war, so does Germany now
declare the waters surrounding Great Britain
and Ireland, including the whole English
Channel, to be comprised within the seat of
war, and will prevent by all the military means
at its disposal all navigation by the enemy in
those waters. To this end it will endeavor to
destroy, after February 18 next, any merchant
vessels of the enemy which present themselves
at the seat of war above indicated, although it
may not always be possible to avert the dangers
which may menace persons and merchandise.
Neutral powers are accordingly forewarned not
to intrust their crews, passengers, or
merchandise to such vessels."

[Sidenote: Protests sent by the United States.]

To this proclamation and memorial the Government of the United States
made due protest under date of February 10, 1915. On the same day
protest was made to England by this Government regarding the use of the
American flag by the _Lusitania_ on its voyage through the war zone on
its trip from New York to Liverpool of January 30, 1915, in response to
which, on February 19, Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, handed a memorandum to Mr. Page, the American Ambassador to
England, containing the following statement:

[Sidenote: British reply to American protest.]

"It is understood that the German Government
had announced their i