D 580 .U6 1917 Copy 1 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 018 465 951 7 D 580 .U6 1917 Copy 1 id distributed April 4, 1917. T DEPARTMENT OF STATE. PAPERS RELATING TO MARITIME DANGER ZONES AND THE PLACING BY BELLIGERENTS OF MINES IN THE HIGH SEAS. WASaiNOTON : OOTBBNHBNT PBINTINO OFTICB : UlT I lh'\ n3 5"?(0 D« of D« APR 12 19tf I 1^ LIST OF PAPERS. From and to whom. Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- retary of State (telegram). 1914. Aug. 7 Memorandum from the British ' Aug. 11 Embassy. Memorandum to the British Aug. 13 Embassy. Memorandum from tlie British Aug. 14 Embassy. Memorandum from the British Aug. 19 Embassy. 30 Memorandum from the British Aug. 'ISO. Embassy. Memorandum from the British Embassy. The German Ambassador to the Secretarj' of State. Aug. 23 Sept. 10 Ambassador W. H. Page to the Sept. 28 Secretary of State. i Memorandum from the British j Oct. 2 Embassy. ' Ambassador Hen-ick to the I Oct. 9 Secretary of State. Ambassador W. H. Page to the , Oct. 2S Secretary of State (telegram), i Ambassador W. H. Page to the Nov. 2 Secretary' oi State (telegram). The British Ambassador to the [ Nov. 3 Secretary of State. ; Ambassador Marj'e to the Sec- Nov. 5 retary of State (telegram). , Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- Nov. 13 retary of State. Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- ■ Nov. 17 retarv of State. The Secretary of State to Am- Dec. 8 bassador Gerard. I Consul General Sldimer to the Dec. 11 Secretary of State. i S9244— 17 Reports he is informed by German Foreign Office that Ger- man ports are strewn ^vith mines and it is requested that warning be given shippers against na\igating in ports which foreign forces might use as bases. Communicates telegram he received from his Government informing liim that the Germans had indiscriminately mined the North Sea and that in self-defense the British Admiralty will adopt measures that will make naviga- tion even more perilous. The Department, repMng to the British memorandum, states tliat the reported act of Germany is in disregard of Article 1 of the The Hague Convention, and sees no reason why, as a defensive measure, Great Britain should adopt a similar course. Communicates telegram from the British Government in which they state they will try to indicate certain routes and channels for trade to pass to the Scheldt. Points out that if Great Britain refrains from adopting the methods of Germany, in mining North Sea, the result is that Germany receives impunity unless the neutral Powers can find some means of making Germany feel that she can not continue to recei^■e trade and supplies tlu'ough neutral shipping. Quotes te.Kt of telegram from Sir E. Grey stating that an Iceland trawler was reported to have struck a mine 25 miles off the Tyne and sunk, and stating that no British j mines liave been laid. _ _ i Quotes telegram from British foreign office warning against ' German mines in the North Sea and stating that the British Admiralty have not so far laid any mines during the present war. Stales no German port is blockaded and nothing stands in the way of neutral states' sea trade with Germany. Denies British reports that North Sea has been infested with mines by Germany. Transmits a protest made by the British Government against the methods pursued by the German Navy in laying mines in the North Sea. Notification of British mine area in North Sea Incloses copy in translation, toother with its inelosure, of a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, giving the text of notice relative to the use of submarine mines in the Adriatic Sea. States that a German mine field has been discovered off tlie north coast of Ireland and the British .'Vdmiralty warns shipping not to pass within 60 miles of Tory Island. Reports Sir IMward Grey informs him mine fields north of Ireland were laid by Germans. Incloses copy of a telegram received from the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in which notice is given that the whole of the North Sea must be con- sidered a miUtary area. Reports official notification by Russian Government of mined zone. Incloses German reply to the British protest against the laying of German mines. Transmits copy in translation of a communication received from Imperial Foreign Office, Nov. 14, 1914. relative to regulations for na^dgation in the German Bay of the North Sea. States that a copy of reply of German Government to pro- test of British Government against the laying of German mines has been forwarded to American Ambassador at London for transmission to British Foreign Office, ilncloses copy of a circular received from British Ad- miralty regarding the na\-igation of the North Sea and English Channel. (3) • 10 10 12 13 14 14 14 16 16 18 19 20 No. Prom and to ■whom. J. No. A869 615 193 1485 The German Ambassador to the Secretary of State. Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State (telegram). Ambassador Gerard to the Sec- retary of State. Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State (telegram). Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State (telegram). Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State to Am- bassador W. H. Page (tele- gram). Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram). The Secretary of State ad interim to Ambassador W. li. Page (telegram). Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State (telegram) . Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram). The Secretary of State to Am- bassador W. H. Page (tele- gram). Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram) . Consul General Sldnner to the Secretary of State (telegram). Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram). Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram). The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram). Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegi'am). The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State (telegram) . Date. 101.? Feb. 6 Feb. 27 Mar. 2 Mar. 6 Jlay 17 Jlay 19 May 20 Subject. June 5 June 16 June 23 July 23 July 26 Aug. 17 Sept. 3 1916 May 2 May 29 .July 1 1917 Jan. 25 Feb. 15 Feb. 19 Mar. 23 Transmits warning that Germany will resist the shipment of forces and implements by Great Britain to France with every war means at its command. Mariners warned navigation entirely forbidden to all ships of described area in Irish Channel. Incloses copy in translation of a note verbale received from the Imperial Foreign Office Feb. 28, 1915, relative to tlie extent of the war area proclaimed by the German Admhalty. Telegraphs with reference to a warning Issued by the British Admiralty for vessels navigating between Great Yarmouth and the English Channel. States admiralty cancels notice on navigation North Sea dated Nov. 30, 1914. Masters strongly urged to obtain latest notices before sailing from British ports. Gives principal mined areas as far as kno"wn. Incloses copy of British Admiralty notice relating to navi- gation in the North Sea and British home waters. States the Department does not fidly understand the inten- tion and effect underlying the regulations of admiralty in canceling notice on navigation North' Sea of Nov. 30, 1914, cabled by Skinner May 17. Instructs Mr. Page to make report on subject. Transmits reply of British Foreign Office to inquuy of Ambassador Page as to Admiralty announcement can- celing notice on navigation in North Sea of Nov. 30, 1914. States th.at the Department's inquiry is not fully answered by the note of British Foreign Office, and dhects Mr. Page to secirre further explanation. Informs Department of notice to mariners issued by British Admiralty. Quotes note from Foreign Office, July 22, which states that neutral merchant vessels must applj' tlirough their diplomatic representative for special directions of the Admiralty as to the north-about route. States DeiJartment understands requirement in Admiralty notice of May 15 that neutral vessels bound to North Sea by north-about route must obtain from Admiralty special directions, applies only to vessels sailing from British ports and not from American or neutral ports. Report whether this understanding is correct. Quotes note from Sir E. Grey relating to neutral vessels passing north-about from one neutral port to another. Reports Admiralty Order 764 regarding navigation in Straits Dover between Vame Shoal and Folkestone. Quotes circular note from Foreign Office, May 1, 1916, an- nouncing extension of British mine field off Belgian coast. States Foreign Office informed him May 27 that eastern limit of danger area of British mine field off Belgian coast should be defined as the meridian of 3° 18' east instead of 3° 20' east as previously notified. Transmits copy of an Admiralty notice to mariners, relative to certain mined areas in North Sea. British notification of mine area in the North Sea British revised notification of dangerous area in the North Sea. States that the Government of the United States, for the protection of American interests, reserves generally all of its rights in the question of appropriating certain portions of the liigh seas for military operations, to the exclusion of the use of the hostile area as a common liighway of commerce. British notification of dangerous area in the North Sea. . . NOTE. For additional documents previously printed see EuEOPEAN War No. 1, as follows: • Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State, Feb- ruary 6, 1915, page 52. The Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard, Feb- ruary 10, 1915, page 54. The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page, February 20, 1915, page 59. (5) 6 File No. 763.72/257. Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. [Telegram — ^Paraphrase.] Ameeioan Embassy, Berlin, August 7, 1914' Mr. Gerard reports that he is informed by the German Foreign Office that German ports are strewn with mines and it is requested that timely warning be given shippers against navigating in ports which foreign forces might use as bases. File No. 763.72/566. Memorandum from the British Embassy. His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires presents his com- pliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to communicate to him the following telegram which he received last night from the Foreign Office: "The Germans are scattering contact mines indis- criminately about the North Sea in the open sea without regard to the consequences to merchantmen. Two days ago four large merchant ships were observed to pass within a mile of the minefield which sank H. M. S. Amphion. The waters of the North Sea must therefore be regarded as perilous in the last degree to merchant shipping of aU nations. In view of the methods adopted by Germany the British Admiralty must hold themselves fully at hberty to adopt similar measures in seK defence which must inevitably increase the dangers to navigation in the North Sea. But, before doing so, they think it right to issue this warning in order that merchant ships under neutral flags trading with North Sea ports should be turned back before entering the area of such excep- tional danger. British Embassy, Washington, August 11, 1914. File No. 763.72/566. Ilemorandum to the British Embassy. The Secretary of State presents his comphments to His Britannic Majesty's Charg6 d'Affaires and acknowl- edges the receipt of his Memorandum of August 11, 1914, commimicating a telegram received by him from the Foreign Office stating that the Germans are scattering contact mines indiscriminately in the open waters of the North Sea without regard to the consequences to mer- chantmen, thus rendering these waters perilous to the shipping of all nations, and that in view of the methods adopted by Germany the British Admiralty hold them- selves at liberty to adopt similar measures in self de- fense, thus increasing the dangers to navigation in the North Sea, It is not stated in the Memorandiun whether the con- tact mines are floating or anchored, but it is presumed from the expression "scattering contact mines indis- criniiuately " tluit it wat. tho iutwaiou to convoy tho idea that ilw. mines refeiTed to are floating mine:;. The liniitiition phic.ed upon tli(< use of floating contact mines hy .\j-ticle 1 of 'llw Hague Convention of 1907 relative to the Laying of Automatic Submarine Contact Mines is that they shj;]! lieconie liarmh-ss within one hour after being hi id. The Secretary of State is U ath to beheve that a sigi\a- tory (<> that Convention would wilfully disregard its treaty obligation, which \\iis mnTiifestly inad(^ in the in- terest of neutral shipi)ing. -Ul restrictions upon (he rights of neutrals upon the high seas, the commoii lughway of nations, during the piogn^ss of a war, are permitted in tho interests of the belligerents, wlio are bound in return to ])ievent theii- hostile opeintions from increasing tlie hazard of neutral ships in (lie ()])en sea so fur as tlie exigencies of tho war permit. If an enemy of His Maje.^tj's Government has, as as- sorted, eu<1angered neutral commeice by an act ui viola- tion of Tlu^ Hague Convention, which camiot bo justified on tho ground of militarj- necessity, the Secretary of State ])erceives no reason for His Majesty's Government adopting a similai coui-se, which woidd add further dan- geis to the peaceful navigation of tin* higli seas bj- ves- sels of neutral j)owei's. Tlie Secretary of State, therefo!(^, exju'osscs the earnest and confident hojje that Hi-- Majestys Govoi'ument may not feel compelled to resort, as a defensive measure, to a method of naval warfare, which would appear to be con- trarj- to the terms of The Hague Convention, and imjwsc upon (he shi]is and lives of n<>utrals a needless menace when peaceal>ly navigating the high seas. Drpart.mext of State. WasMv{jton, Aut/ust Id, WIJ,. File No. 763.72/419. Merriwandum from the British Embassy. The British Embassy presents its compliments to the Department of State and with reference to its memo- randum of August 11 on the subject of contact mines in the North Sea has the honour to commimicate the fol- lowing telegram received from His Majesty's Govern- ment. "German action and the measures it may entail are a source of grave danger to shipping. British Admiralty wiU however from time to tmie and subject to naval exigencies trj' to indicate certain routes and channels for trade to pass' to the Scheldt and they do not ^vish in any degree to keep trade away from the Enghsh Chamiel. " Diiliculties ui the way of a guarantee for the Rhine which is nearer to the "centre of war are at present insuperable." British Embassy, Washington, August 14, 1-914- File No. 763.72/552. Memorandum from, the British Em.hassy. His Britannic Majesty's Charge d'Affaii-es presents his compliments to the United States Secretary of State and has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of his memo- randum of August 13 in which, with reference to the action of Germany in placing contact mines in the North Sea and the right reserved by His Majesty's Government to take similar measures in self-defence, the Secretary of State expresses the hope that His Majesty's Govern- ment may not feel compelled to resort to a method of warfare which would appear to be contrary to the terms of the Hague Convention of 1907 and impose upon the ships and lives of neutrals a needless menace when peaceably navigating the high seas. His Majesty's Charge d' Affaires lost no tune in fully informing His Majesty's Government of the views which the Secretary of State was good enough to express m the memorandmn under reply and he now begs to communi- cate a further expression of Sir Edv/ard Grey's views as received by telegraph. It is stated that there is no doubt whatever that auto- matic contact mines have been placed bj^ Germany in the high seas where they are dangerous to merchant shipping, as a German mine-laying vessel was caught in the act. It is not alleged that they are a breach of any Convention concluded at The Hague to which Germany is a party but that does not make them less dangerous to merchant shipping. His Majesty's Government share the reluctance of the Secretary of State to see the practice extended and the danger to neutral shipping increased. At the same time His Majesty's Charge d'Aff aires is instructed to point out that if Great Britian refrains from adopting the methods of Germany the result is that Germany receives impunity unless the neutral Powers can find some means of making Germany feel that she cannot continue to preserve aU facilities for receiving trade and supplies through neutral shipping while impeding British com- merce by means, the use of which by Great Britain is deprecated by the United States Government. British Embassy, Washington, August 19, 1914. File No. 763.72/692. Mem.orandum from the British Embassy. The British Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretaiy of State and has the honour to communicate the text of a telegram received today from Sir E. Grey: "His Majesty's Government have learnt that on or about August 26th an Iceland trawler is reported to have struck a mine 25 miles off the Tyne and sunk, and at least one foreign newspaper has stated that the mine was English. Although the German action in laying mines has forced the Admiralty to reserve to themselves the right to do likewise, the statement aheady made by His Majesty's Government that no British mines have 9 been laid remains absolutely true at this moment. Tlio m i nes off the Tyne were laid thirty miles to seaward, not as part of any definite military operation nor by German ships of war but by German trawlers of whicli a considerable number appear to have been engai^ed on this work: the number of one such trawler aetually seen to be doing this was A. E. 24 E^mden. It would be well if the conduct of those who orth'red her to perform this act were carefuUj' cojisidcrcd by neutral powei-s." British Embassy, Washington, AugusfkOUi, 1914. File No. 7G3.72/G40. Memorandum from the British Embassy. His Majesty's Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honom- to commuiu'cate to him the following telegram received from the Foreign Office yesterday summarizing the Naval position of the war up to date: "The Admiralty wish to th'aw attention to their previous warning to neutrals of the danger of traversing the North Sea. The Germans are continuing their practice of laying mines indiscriminately upon the ordinary trade routes. These mines do not conform to the conditions of the Plague convention: they do not become harmless after a certain number of hours; they are not laid in connection with any definite military scheme such as the closiiig of a military port or as a distinct operation agaijist a fighting fleet, but appear to be scattered on the chance of catcJiing iniHvidual British war or merchaJit vessels. Iji consequence of this policy neutnd ships, no matter what their destina- tion, are exjiosed to the gravest da.ngers. Two Danish vessels the S. S. Maryland ajid the S. S. Brohery have within the last 24 hours been destroyed by these deadly engines in the North Sea while travelling on the ordinary trade routes at a considerable distance from the British Coast. In addition to this, it is reported that two Dutch steamers clearijig from Swedisli ports were yesterday blown up by German mines in tlie Baltic. In these circumstances tlie Admiralty desire to impress not only on British but on neutral snipping the vital importance of touching at BritisJi ports before enterijig the Nortli Sea in order to ascertain according to the latest informa- tion the routes and chajuiels which the Admiraltj' are keeping swept and along which these dangers to neutrals and merchant men arc reduced as far as possible. The Admiralty, while reserving to themselves the utmost liberty of retaUatory action against this new form of warfare, ainiou.nce that they have not so far laid any mines during ihe present war and that they are en- deavoui'ing to keep the sea routes open for peaceful commei'ce." British Embassy, Worslvington, August 23, 1914. 10 File No. 763.72/853. The German Ambassador to the Secretary of State. [Translation.] German Embassy, New Yorl:, September 10, 191^. Mr. Secretary of State: By direction of my Gov- ernment I have the honor respectfully to bring the fol- lowing to Your Excellency's knowledge. No foundation for idea prevalent among neutrals abroad that because of the blockade of German ports sea trade with Germany is tied up. No port is blockaded and nothing stands in the way of neutral states' sea trade with Germany. The assertions from England that the North" Sea has been infested with mines by Germany are wrong. Neutral vessels bound for German ports in the North Sea must steer by day for a point 10 nautical miles N. W. off Helgoland. There will German pilots be found in readiness to pilot the ships into port. Neutral vessels must sail direct for Baltic sea ports, every one of which has pilots. The prohibition of coal export does not include bunker coal and coaling is assured. Accept, etc., J. Bernstorff. File No. 763.72/1075. Ambassactor W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. No. 476.] American Embassy London, September 28, 1914. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a protest made by the British Government against the methods pursued by the Germany Navy in laying mines in the North Sea. This protest was enclosed to me by his Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in a communica- tion requesting that it be forwarded to the Government of the United States. I have, etc., Walter Hines Page [Inclosure.] His Majesty's Government consider it their duty to bring before the notice of the United States Government the practice which is being pursued by the German naval authorities in laying mines on the high seas on the trade routes, not only to British but to neutral ports, and in furtherance of no definite mihtary operation. His Majesty's Government have reason to think that fishing vessels, possibly disguised as neutral, are employed for the purpose, and lay these mines under the pretense of following the ordinary avocations of fishing. Mines have been found in several cases as much as 50 miles from the coast. n This practice has already resulted, since the commence- ment of the war, in the clestniction of eight neutral and seren British merchant and fishing vessels, so far as at present ascertained, with the loss of some sixty lives of neutral and nonconibataiit persons. The practice of laying ininos indiscriminately and in large numbers on the high seas, entirely regardless of the dangers to peaceful shipping, is in flagrant violation of the accepted jirinciples of international law and contrary to the primary dictates of humanity. It is also in direct contradiction with the language of Baron MarsthaU von Bicberslein, who, as Fu-st Genuan delegate at the Peace Conference of 1907, spoke as follows: "We do not intend, if I may employ an expression used by the British dele- gate, 'to sow mines in profusion on every sea.' * * * We do not hold the opinion that everything which is not expressly forbidden is permitted." The freedom of the seas for peaceful trading is an es- tablished and uuivei-saily accepted principle; this fact has never been more clearly recognized than in the words of the report of tlie third Couuniltee of the Second Peace Conference, which dealt witli the question of submarine contact mines: "Even apart from any written stipula- tion it can never fail to be present in the minds of all tliat the principle of the lilierty of the seas, with the obliga- tions wliicli it imphes on behalf of those who make use of this wa}- of communication open to the nations, is the indisputable prerogative of the human race." This principle received further recognition in the 3rd article of the Convention relathig to the laying of sub- marme contact mines : — "When anchored automatic contact niinos are employed, every possible prcca\ition niust be taken for the security of peacefid shipping. ■'The belhgercnts imdertake to do their utmost to render these mmes harmless after a hmitcd time has elapsed, and, shoidd the mines cease to be imder obser- vation, to notify the danger zones as soon as military exi- gencies peimit, by a notice to mariners, wliich must also be conunimicated to the Governments through the diplo- matic chamiel." Not only have the German Government neglected to take every possible precaution for the safety of neutral shipping, but they have, on the contrary, deliberately and successful^ contrived to sow danger in its track. The mined zones have not been kept under observation nor has any notification of their locality ever been made. The provisions of this article, wliich the Gennan Govern- ment are pledged to observe have therefore been violated in thi'ee distinct ways. Article 1, Section 2, of the same Convention has equally been violated by the German Government, for the mines which they have laid have in numerous instances been found adrift from their moorings without having become hai-mless. Yet the German Govei-nment made no reservation respecting this article either when signing or ratifying the Convention. The degree of respect Avith whidi the German Govern- ment treat their written pledges, and the jiledges given 12 verbally in their name by theii' representatives, is suffi- ciently apparent from what is stated above. It is brought into yet higher relief in the light of the following statement made by Baron Marschall before the third Committee of the last Peace Conference, and repeated by him in fuU, and with added emphasis, at the 8th plenary meeting of the Conference : — "A belligerent who lays mmes assumes a very heavy responsibility toward neutrals and peaceful slaipping. * * * No one will resort to such means xmless for military reasons of an absolutely urgent character. But miUtary acts are not governed solely by principles of international law. There are other factors: conscience, good sense, and the sentiment of duty imposed by prin- ciples of humanity will be the surest guides for the con- duct of sailors, and will constitute the most effective guarantee against abuses. The officers of the German Navy, I emphatically afffi-ra. will always fulfd, in the strictest fashion, the duties which emanate from the unwritten law of humanity and civilisation." His Majesty's Government desire to place on record their strong protest against the illegitimate means of con- ducting warfare which has been resorted to by their adversaries. They feel that its manifest inhumanity must call down upon its authors the censure and repro- bation of all civihsed peoples. Foreign Office, Seftemher 26, 1914- File No. 763.72/1104. Memorandum front ihe Britifili Emlass]!. TEI>EGEAM FROM SIR EDWARD GREY TO SIR CECIL SPRING RICE, OCTOBER 2, 1914. The German policy of minelaying combined with their submarine activities makes it necessary on militaiy groimds for Admiralty to adopt countermeasures. His Majesty's Government have therefore authorized a mine- laying policy in certain areas and a system of minefields has been established and is being developed upon a con- siderable scale. In order to reduce risks to noncom- batants the Admiralty announce that it is dangerous hence-forward for ships to cross area between Latitude fifty-one degrees fifteen minutes north and fifty-one degi-ees forty minutes north and Longitude one degree thirty-five minutes east and three degrees east. In this connection it must be remembered that the southern limit of the German minefield is latitude fifty-two degrees north. Although these limits are assigned to the danger area it must not be supposed that navigation is safe in any part of the southern waters of the North Sea. In- structions have been issued to His Majesty's ships to warn east going vessels of the presence of this new minefield. You should inform Government to which you are accredited without delay. 13 PUe No. 763.72/1107. Ambassador Uerrick to the Secretary of State. No. 704.] American Embassy, Paris, October 9th 191J,. Sut: Confirming my telcgi-am Xo. 184 of this date, rela- tive to the placing of submarine mines in the Adriatic Sea, I hare the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation, together with its enclosure, of a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, giving the text of the advice inserted in the "Journal Officiel'' in regard thereto. I have, etc., Myhon T. Herrick. [Inclosiire — Tranflktion.] Ministry for Foreign Affairs, French Republic. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has the honor to trans- mit to His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States, the accompanying notification made in conformity with the stipulation of Article 3, Par. 2 of the 8th Conven- tion of The Hague 1907 relative to the use of submarine mines. Bordeaux, October 6th 1914. [Sub-inclosure — Translation .] notice Published in the "Journal Officiel" Official part. Automatic mines having been sown in the Adriatic sea by the Aiistro-Hungarian navy, the French naval forces have been obUged to resort to similar measures in the said sea. However, in order to avoid that inoffensive neutral ships should suffer harm such as has been unjustly caused by the Austro-Hungarian mines, the mines laid down by the French navy are in conformity with the provisions stipulated by the 8th Convention of the Hague, 1907. The zone that is dangerous to navigation, comprises the territorial waters of the Austro-Hmigarian kingdom and the channels between the islands along the coast of Dalmatia. Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, in conformity with Article 3, Par. 2 of the aforesaid Con- vention. Approved : The Minister for Marine (Signed) Victor Augagneuk Attest : The Vice-Admiral Chief of Staff (Signed) Pivet. 14 File No. 763.72/1141. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, London, October 28, 1914- Referring to my 926/ October twenty-seTenth. A German mine field has been discovered off tbe north coast of Ireland and the British Admiralty warns ship- ping not to pass within sixty miles of Tory Island. One British ship bound from Manchester to Montreal struck a mine there and went down. This mine field is in a location which suggests that it was meant rather for mer- chant than naval ships. Part of channels of the Thames have been closed by Admiralty. A Dutch ship struck a mine forty miles north of Ymuiden and sank. The sinking of the passenger boat across the channel by a mine is disputed. Page. File No. 763.72/1161. Ambassador W. E. Page to tTie Secretary of State. [Telegram — Paraphrase . ] American Embassy, London, November 2, 1914. Mr. Page states that he is informed by Sir Edward Grey that the mine fields North of Ireland were laid by Germans from vessels fljdng neutral flags. The mines are directly in the path of some of the transatlantic ves- sels and the liner Olympic recently was dangerously near the mines. The danger from the mines is constantly spreading over a wider area. File No. 763.72/1171. The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State. No. 375.] British Embassy, Washington, November 8, 1914. Sir: In compliance with instructions received from Sir Edward Grey, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I have the honour to enclose herewith copy of a telegram which he has addressed to me recommending certain routes to be followed for ships wishing to trade to and from Norway, the Baltic, Den- mark and HoUand. I have, etc., Cecil Spring Rice. [Inclosure.] November 3, 1914. Please inform Government to which you are accredited that the Admiralty are issuing the following announce- ment. During the last week the Germans have scattered mines indiscriminately in the open sea on main trade » Not printed. 15 I'oute from America to Liverpool via North of Ireland. Peaceful merchant ships have already been blowTi up ■with loss of life by this agency. Tlie ^^'^lite Star liner Ohjiiipic escaped disaster by pure good hick and but for warnmgs given by Britisli ciiiisers other British and neutral merchant and passenger vessels would have been destroyed. These mines cannot liave been laid Ivy any German ship of war. They have been laid by some merchant vessels ilj'ing neutral flag which have come along the trade route as if for purposes of peaceful commerce and while profiting to the full b}' imn^unity eujoyed bv neu- tral merchant ships have wantonly and recldessly en- dangered the Uves of all who travel on the sea regardless of whether they are friend or foe, civilian or military hi character. Mhielaying under neutral flag and reconnaissance con- ducted by trawlers, hospital ships and neutral vessels are the ordinary features ot Genuan naval warfare. In these circmnstances havuig regartl to the great uiterests entrusted to the British Navy, to the safety of peaceful comniercc on high seas and to the maintenance withui limits of hiternational law of trade between neu- tral coimtries, the Admiralty feel it necessary to adopt exceptional measures appropriate to the novel conditions under which this war is being waged. They therefore give notice that the whole of the North Sea must be considered a military area. Within this area merchant shipping of all kuids, traders of all comitries, fishing cratt and all other vessels will be ex- posed to the gravest dangers from mines which it has been necessary to lay and from warships searching vigilantly by night and day for suspicious craft. .\11 merchant and fishmg vessels of every description are hereby warned of the (hingers they encounter by enteruig this area except in strict accordance with Admiralty directions. Every effort wiU be made to convey this Avamuig to neutral countries and to vessels on the sea, but from the 5th of November onwards the Admkalty annomice that all ships passmg a Une drawn from the northern point of the Hebrides thrt)Ugh Faroe Islands to Iceland do so at their own peril. Ships of all countries wishmg to trade to and from Norway, the Baltic, Demuark and Holland are advised to come, if inward bound, by the English channel and Straits of Dover. There they will be given sailing di- rections which will pass them safely so far as Great Britain is concerned up the East Coast of England to Fame Island, whence safe route will, if possible, be given to Lmdesnaes Lightship. From this point they should turn North or Sotith accordmg to their destination, keeping as near the coast as possible. Converse applies to vessels outward bound. By strict adherence to these routes the comnierce of aU countries will be able to reach its destuiation in safety so far as Great Britain is concerned, but any straying even for a few miles from the course thus hidicated may be followed by serious consequences. British Embassy, Washinffton. 16 Pile No. 763.72/1174. Ambassador Marye to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, Petrograd, November 5, 1914- Russian Government officially notifies Embassy that it has placed mines in zone from fifty-eight fifty north latitude and to east of twenty-first meridian also at entrance of GtJf of Riga and around Aland Islands and consequently entrance and exit of Finnish and Riga Gulfs forbidden.- Marye. File No. 763.72/1268. Ambassador Gerard to tlie Secretary of State. No! 261.] American Embassy, Berlin, November 1S,_ 1914. Sir: With reference to my cipher telegram No. 823, dated November 12, 1914,' I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy in translation of the reply of the German Government to the protest of the British Gov- ernment against the laying of German mines. I have, etc., . James W. Gerard. [Inclosure-Tranalation.] REPLY OF THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT TO THE PROTEST OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE LAYING OF GERMAN MINES. It has been brought to the knowledge^of the German Government that the British Government addressed a Note to the neutral Powers under date September 20th, 1914 protesting against the laying of German mines. It is asserted in the protest that the mines were laid in a way contrary to international law and in forbidden locahties; that they were not sufficiently anchored or under proper observance; and were not notified to the neutrals in accordance with rule. Furthermore attention is called to the declarations of the first German delegate at the Second Hague Peace Conference which are in con- tradiction with such practice and hkewise to the delib- erate injury to neutral trade which Germany's action on the open sea is alleged to involve. The German Government makes the following reply to this protest: I. In condemning the alleged German practice the British Government rehes on the 8th Hague Convention of October 18th, 1907, relative to the laying of automatic submarine contact mines. It overlooks the fact that under Article 7 of this Convention its provisions do not 1 Not printed: gives purport of Inolosure herewith. 17 apply unless all the belligerents are parties to the Con- vention. Now Russia, which is aUied ^vith England, has not ratified the Agreement; it is therefore not binding by international law on any of the participants in the present war. Nevertheless the German Government has voluntarily held itself bound by its provisions, with the exception of Article 2, with regard to which France as well as Germany made express reservations. The assertion of the British Government that these provisions have been violated by Germany is emphatically denied. II. To firstly the British Government finds it a breach of international law that the German mines were apparently laid by fishing vessels, possibly imder neutral flag, imder the pretence of following the ordinary peaceable avoca- tions of fishing. Tlii§ assertion is incorrect and an invention; the Gennan mines wcvc laid exclusively by German warships. 2. The British Government complains that German mines were laid as far as 50 miles from the British coast and not only on British but neutral trade routes. The Convention does not stipulate how far from the coast and ports of an enemy mines may be anchored, and there is no estabhshed practice in this respect in inter- national law; moreover the Enghsh statement of the distance of the German mines from the menaced coast is much exaggerated. The mines have been laid as close as the conditions of the anchoring grounds and the character of the coast permitted. The assertion that neutral trade routes have been blocked is imtrue; no German mines have been laid in any trade route from the high seas to a neutral port. 3. The British Protest maintains fnrther that in numerous cases German mines were found adrift without having become harmless. The anchoring of mines by Germany has been carried out with all possible pre- caution. If some have drifted from their moorings in consequence of currents or storms their number is certainly much smaller than that of mines laid by England which have drifted ashore on the Belgian and Dutch coasts and have caused damage there through their undiminished explosive power. 4. The obhgation of keeping mines mider surveillance which the British Government complains has been violated can naturally be enjoined upon a belligerent only as long as he retains command over that part of the seat of war where he has laid mines in a manner per- mitted by international law. As a rule therefore this obligation wiU apply only to defensive mines but not to offensive mines. When a belligerent has properly laid offensive mines and has duly notified their laying he is relieved of all further responsibihty. ■ 5. In the British protest the charge is made that the German Government never issued any proclamation as to the places where mines were laid. This charge is not founded in fact. On August 7th, 1914 the German 18 Government communicated to all the neutral powers that the trade routes to Enghsh ports would be closed by mines by Germany. Neutral shipping was therefore notified of the fact of the laying of the mines and the zones where it had to look out for German mines. ' If the German Government did not give the exact situation of' the various mines this may well be understood from the conditions which forced the' laying of the mines. HI. The volume of strong words and moral indignation with which the British protest denounces the German Government to the neutral powers is not therefore justified at all by Germany's practice. This protest is plainly nothing but a cloak to cover up the serious viola- tions of existing international law laid down in the Declaration of London indulged in by England and a pretext to prepare public opinion^ for the closing of the North Sea contrary to international law which has since taken place and is equivalent in its economic importance to a blockade of neutral coasts. In view of these facts it is doubly remarkable that the British Government constitutes itself the advocate of the "estabHshed and generally accepted principle of the freedom of the seas for peaceful trade" obviously in the eyes of England, which is at war, the only peaceful trade is that neutral trade which brings goods to England, but not that which carries or might carry goods to her opponents. . The German Government is convinced that the con- tinual violation of neutral trade by England will every- where place the British' protest in its true light. ' The Gei-man Government is satisfied that for its part in tak- ing the measures required* by military exigency it has reduced asfar aspossible risk or injmy to neutral ship- ping, and has strictly followed the rules hitherto applied by civilized nations to maritime warfare. On the other hand. the infringement of vital neutral interests by Eng- land is capable of justification by no military exigency','. sin4e ithas no connection With any miUtary optotions and. is merely 'intended to strike 'at the 'economic system of -the adversary by 'crippling legitimate neutral trade'. This fundamental disregard of the very freedom of the ' seas which-, it 'has invoked deprives ^ the'- British Govero- nlent of any ri^-ht to appear as- the advocate of this freedom in the question of thei laying of mines, which is far less injurious to neutrals: .' . liEnv,ii^\>'November'-7y'i91-4'. ■': ' n . ■ > File No. 862.801/1. Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. No. 271.]) , , . AMERiCAJf Embassy, . . ■ Berlin, November 17, IBl.j.. -Sir; With reference to your cable No. 598' of Novem- ber 9, 1914, and my reply No. 850= of November 1&, I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a copy in 'Not printed. ^ Not printed. Gives substance of inclosure here-srtth. 19 translation of a communication received from the Im- perial Foreign Office, dated November 14, 1914, relative to the regulations for navigation in the German bay of the North Sea. Two copies of the publication, entitled "Nachrichten fiir Seefalirer," in whicli these regulations are printed, are likewise enclosed. I have, etc. James W. Gehard. [Inclosure-Translation.] Foreign Office. Nr. II U 4970-89541 . 'The Foreign Office has the honor to inform the Em- bassy of the United States of America in reply to the Note Verbale of 12th instant, F. O. No. 1078, that the following are the material regulations, governing naviga- tion in the German Bay of the North Sea: 1. Steamships are permitted to make for the German coast, to enter or leave the mouths of rivers only from sunrise to sunset, and in clear weather. Ships attempt- ing to point for the coast in the dark, in foggy or thick weather, run the risk of being shot at. 2. All commercial steamers bound for the Eider, Elbe, Weser and Jade must first point for the Listertief-Buoy ; those boimd for the Ems should make directly for its mouth. ..;«.,.--•;(.),•. 3. In the interest of the safety of the shipfe, ft pilot is obligatory from the Listertief-Buoy. 4. If ships cannot obtam pilots, on accoimt of bad weather or for other reasons, they must either anchor or put out to sea again. The approximate location of the Listertief-Buoy is 55° 3:3-4' north, 8° 17^' East. For the rest reference made to issue No. 59 of the "Nachrichten fiir Seefahrer" of 4th instant, pages 1006 and 1007, two copies of which are attached.' American shipping interests can obtain any further in- formation from the "Nachrichten fur Seefalirer" which is accessible to them. Berlin, Nox^eniber 14, 1914. Pile No. 763.72/1268. The. Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard. ,,,,/ Department , OF State,' Washington, Decemher 8, 1914- Sir: In further acknowledgement of your despatch No. 261, of November 13, 1914, transmitting a copy in translation of th^' reply of the- German Government' to the protest of the British Govcn\raeiitagainkt tiro bring of German mines, vou arc informed that a' copy' thereof . .. " — ■ — ^-^-- >.,■> ... . .ii .■■ u u o. ^- V 1 Not printed. . . . , . 20 has been forwarded to the American Ambassador at London for transmission to the British Foreign Oflice without comment. I am, etc., For the Secretary of State: Robert Lansing. File No. 841,801/33 Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State. [Extract.] American Consulate General, London, December 11, 1914. Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a full copy of a circular which I have received from the Admiralty in regard to the navigation of the North Sea and English Channel. I have, etc., Robert P. Skinner [Inclosure.] navigation in the north sea and ENGLISH CHANNEL. It is requested that Shipowners on receiving these in- structions will use their utmost endeavour to commimi- cate them as confidentially as possible to the Masters of their vessels, impressing upon them the necessity for preventing the information from reaching the enemy. These instructions should not be allowed to come into the hands of any persons who are not directly affected by them. The previous Notice on Navigation in the North Sea (dated the 14th October 1914) is cancelled. A. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Local Naval or Mihtary Authorities may, at any time when they consider it necessary, close a port during certain hours without previous warning. 2. Attention is called to the notice on the inside cover of aU Admiralty Sailing Directions and their Supple- ments, and to the following Admiralty Notices to Mariners of 1914: No. 1 of 1st January. No. 1528 of 14th September, Thames Approaches. No. 1690 of 28th October, River Thames. No. 1706 of 3rd November, Mined Areas. No. 1727 of 7th November, River Mersey. No. 1730 of 10th November, Orkney Islands. No. 1752 of 16th November, East Coast Ports. In the Notice to Mariners, No. 1752 of 16th November, the position of the Pilotage station of the River Humber to be established by the 27th November should read "7 miles E. S. E. (magnetic) from Spurn Pomt." 3. AU lights may be extinguished and other aids to navigation removed or altered at any time without previous warning. 21 B. MINES. 4. So far as is known at present there are, in addition to the minefields mentioned in Admiralty Notice to Mai-iners, No. 1752 of 1914, the following principal mined areas: (a) Off the Tyne (b) Off Flamborough Head (c) Off Southwold (southern limit 51° 54' N.) (d) British minefield within Lat. 51° 15' N and 51° 40' N.Long. 1° 35' E. and 3° E. C. SPECIAL INFORMATION AS TO ENGLISH CHANNEL AND DOWNS. 5. On and after the 10th December hghts, buoys and fog signals in the Enghsh Channel and the Downs east- ward of a line joining Selsey Bill and Cape Barfleur and south of the parallel 51° 20' N., will be liable to ex- tinction or alteration without further notice. Trinity House pilot stations will be estabhshed as follows by the 10th December: St. Helens, Isle of Wight: Where ships proceeding up Channel can obtain pilots capable of piloting as far as Great Yarmouth. Great Yarmouth: Where ships from the North Sea bound for the Enghsh Channel or intermediate ports can obtain pilots capable of pUoting as far as the Isle of Wight. Dover: Where ships from French Channel Ports, but no other, can obtain pilots for the North Sea. The Sunk Light Vessel: Where ships crossing the North Sea between the parallels 51° 40' N. and 51° 54' N., but no others J can obtain pilots for the Enghsh Channel. Pilots also can be obtained at London for the Chamiel and the North Sea. 6. Both before and after the above date (10th Decem- ber, 1914) aU vessels entering the North Sea from the Channel, or vice versa, must pass through the Downs, where they will be given directions as to their route. D. PASSAGES GENERAL. 7. On and after 10th December, 1914, vessels pro- ceeding up or down Channel eastward of the Isle of Wight are very strongly advised to take pUots, as navi- gation will be exceedingly dangerous without their aid (see paragraph 5). 8. Vessels proceeding up or down the East Coast should keep within 3 miles of the coast when consistent with safe navigation. The only exception to this is when passing the mouth of the Tyne. Here all vessels should pass not less than 4 miles but not more than 8 miles from the coast between Sunderland and Blyth. Vessels bound to the Tyne must take a pilot off one of the above ports, as stated in Admiralty Notice to Mari- ners, No. 1752 of 1914. 22 E. PARTICULAR PASSAGES. (Note. — In each case return voyages should be made on same routes.) 9. East Coast Ports to French Ports: See paragraphs 5, 6, and 8. 10. East Coast Ports to Dutch Ports: Proceed as directed m paragraphs 5 and 8. Leave the EngMsh- coast between the parallels of 51° 40' N. and 51° 45' N.; proceed between these parallels as far as long. 3° E., shape course thence to destmation. Vessels usmg this route (which passes between the British and German minefields) must clearly understand that they do so entirely at their own risk. 11. East Coast Ports to Scandinavian or Danish Ports: Proceed as directed ia paragraphs 5 and 8 as far as Earn Island; then steer for the vicinity of Lindesnaes, and thence to destination, keeping in territorial waters. 12. From Atlantic and Irish Ports or Ports on the South or West Coasts of Great Britain to Scandinavian or Danish Ports: Proceed via Enghsh Channel, being guided by paragraphs 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11. 13. SaUing vessels bound to Scandinavian or Danish Ports: Pass to Westward of Ireland and of St. Kalda. Then make the Faroe Islands, and proceed from thence to destination, keeping 50 miles to the north of the Shetland Islands. 14. All vessels boimd from East Coast Ports to West Coast Ports ia the United Kingdom, and vice versa, must pass through the Enghsh Channel, and not round the north of Scotland. Admiralty War Staff, (Trade Division,) SOth November, 1914. File No. 763.72/1440. The German Ambassador to the Secretary of State. [Translation.] J. No. A 869.] German Embassy Washington, February 6, 1915. Mr. Secretary of State: By direction of my Gov- ernment I have the honor to communicate the followiag to Your Excellency: It is Ivuown to the Imperial Government that Great Britaui is on the point of shipping to France large forces of troops and quantities of implements of war. Germany will oppose this shipment with every war means at its command . As peaceful craft may be, from being mistaken for vessels engaged in war operations, exposed to serious danger, the Imperial Govei-nment is placed under the necessity of warniag of such danger vessels approaching the North and West Coasts of France. Mei chant vessels repaii'ing to the North Sea are advised to steer aroimd Scotland. Accept, etc., For the Imperial Ambassador: Haniei- 23 File No. 841.80.1/35. Consul General STcinner to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Consulate General, London, February 27, 1915. Mariners waxned navigation entirely forbidden to all ships of area in Irish Channel bounded on northwest by- line joining latitude 55 degrees 22^ minutes, longitude six degrees 17 minutes and latitude 55 degrees 31 min- utes, longitude six degrees 02 minutes bounded on south- east by hne joining latitude 55 degrees 10^ minutes longitude 5 degrees 24^ minutes and latitude 55 02 minutes longitude 5 degrees 40i minutes bounded south- west by line from first described to fourth described point bounded northeast by line from second described to tliird described point. All traffic wishing to proceed tlu'ough North Channel must pass southward oi Rathlin Island between sunset and smirise. Skinner. File No. 763.72/1604. Amhassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. No. 615.] American Embassy, Berlin, March 2, 1915. Sir: With reference to my telegram No. 1719^ of the 1st instant, I have the honor to enclose to you herewith a copy in translation of a Note Verbale received from the Imperial Foreign Office, dated February 28, 1915, rela- tive to the extent of the war area proclaimed by the German Admiralty. I have, etc., James W. Gerard. [Incloaure — Translation .] Foreign Office. Nr. Ill a 4333 26052 NOTE VERBALE. With reference to its Note Verbale of the 4th instant,- the Foreign Office has the honor to inform the Embassy of the United States of America, in order to avoid any doubts as to the northward extent of the war area defined in the proclamation of the Chief of the Admiralty Staff of the same day, that the waters surroimding the Orkneys and the Shetlands belong to the war area, but that na-^a- gation on both sides of the Faroe Isles is not endangered. The Foreign Office begs the Embassy of the United States of America to be good enough to inform its Gov- ernment of the above by cable, and to notify the Gov- ernments of Great Britain, Japan and Servia accordingly. Berlin, February 28, 1915. To the Embassy of the United States of America. ' Not primed. Gives substance of inclosure herewith. » See Edeopean Waf. No. 1, pp. 52 and 53. 24 File No. 763,72/1549. Consul General SJcinner to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Consulate Gbnebal London, March 6, 1915. Admiralty renews urgent warning to vessels to take London Trinity house pilot when navigating between Great Yarmouth and English Channel. While danger areas are publicly defined, Admiralty add, "it must not be supposed that navigation is necessarilj^ safe in any part of the southern waters of North Sea." Skinner File No. 841.801/40. Counsul General Skinner to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Consulate General, London, May 17, 1915. Admiralty cancels notice on navigation North Sea dated November thirtieth, nineteen fourteen. Masters are strongly urged to obtain latest notices before sailing from British ports. Lights may be extinguished and other changes made without previous warning. In addition to mine fields in Firth of Forth, Moray Firth and Scapa Flow, following are principal mined areas as far as known: (A) off Tyne; (B) off Flamborough Head; (C) off Southwold, southern limit fifty one degrees fifty-four minutes N. D. ( ? ) ; British mine field between latitude fifty-one degrees fif- teen minutes N.; and latitude fifty-one degrees forty minutes N.; and between longitude one degree thirty- four minutes E., and longitude three degrees E. AU ves- sels entering North Sea from English Channel must pass between two light vessels off Folkestone, proceed to Downs, keeping inshore imagmary line joining southernmost of the two light vessels to the South Goodwin light vessel, further instructions in Downs. Vessels proceeding up or down east coast should keep withhi three miles of coast when consistent with safe navigation. Vessels from east coast ports to Channel and French ports should proceed to Downs, keeping within three miles of coast and follow Admiralty notice to mariners 239, at Downs further instructions will be obtained. Vessels from east coast ports to Dutch ports, should keep within three miles of coast, leaving English coast between the parallels fifty-one degrees forty minutes north, and fifty-one degrees fifty four minutes north, proceeding between these parallels as far as longitude three degrees east, shaping course thence to destination; this route passes between British and Gei-man mine fields and vessels proceed at their own risk. Vessels from east coast to Scandinavian ports should keep within three miles of coast, and proceed according to Admiralty notice 239, as far as Fame Island, then steer for Lindesnaes and thence to destination, keeping in territorial waters. 25 Route from St. Abbs Head to Stavanger, may be used as alternative. British and allied vessels wishing to use northabout route sliould apply to Customs, and neutral vessels must apply for permission tlu'ough their foreign representatives, and faiUng such permission proceed southabout. Sailing vessels from Atlantic to Scandinavian ports pass ■westward of Ireland and St. Kilda thence Faroe Islands to destination, passing northward by fifty miles of Shetland Islands. SKiN>:L.ri. File No. 841.801/45. Consul General STcinner to the Secretary of State. American Consulate General, London, May 19, 1915. Sir: Referring to my telegram of May 17, setting forth briefly the terms of a notice on navigation in the North Sea and Enghsh Channel received from the Trade Divi- sion of the Admiralty on that date, I have the honor to enclose herewith, in duplicate, a full copy of the circular, together with the Admiralty Notice to Mariners referred to in the said circular. I have, etc., Robert P. Skinner. [Inclosure.] NAVIGATION IN THE NORTH SEA AND BRITISH HOME WATERS. The previous Notice on Navigation in the North Sea and English Channel (dated 30th November 1914) is cancelled. A. — GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 1. Local Naval or Military Authorities may, at any time when they consider it necessary, close a port during certain hours without previous warning. 2. Before leaving ports in the United Kingdom Masters of Vessels should be careful to obtain the latest Admiralty Notices to Mariners. Attention is called to the Notice on the inside cover of all Admiralty Sailing Directions and their vSupplements, and to the following Admiralty Notices to Mariners and any subsequent ones that may be issued: No. 1738 of 13th November 1914. River Medway. No. 1812 of 10th December 1914. Bristol Channel. No. 45 of 15th January 1915. Yarmouth Roads. No. 137 of 22nd February 1915. Irish Channel. North Channel. No. 165 of 8th March 1915. River Humber Pilotage. No. 228 of 26th March 1915. Dover Strait. Light Vessels established. No. 239 of 27th March 1915. North Sea, River Thames, and Enghsh Channel. No. 258 of 3rd April 1915. Portland Harbour. 26 No. 274 of 7bh April 1915. Caution when approacliing British Ports. No. 391 of 5th May 1916. Firth of Forth, Moray Firth, Scapa Flow. No. 408 of 8th May 1915. Kiver Tyne Boom Defence. Entrance Signals and Traffic Regulations. 3. Care must be taken at all times to ensure Masters being in possession of the latest Notices to Mariners. 4. Any lights may be extinguished and other aids to navigation removed or altered at any time without pre- vious warning. (Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 1627 of 9th October 1914.) B.— MINES. 5. So far as is known at present there are, in addition to the mine-fields mentioned in Admiralty Notice to Mariners, No. 391 of 5th May 1915, the following principal mined areas: — (a) Off the Tyne. (b) Off Flamborough Head. (c) Off Southwold (Southern limit 50° 54' N.). (d) British mine-field between Lat. 51° 15' N. and Lat. 51° 40' N., and between Long. 1° 35' E. and Long. 3° E. C. PASSAGES. GENERAL. 6. AU vessels entering the North Sea from the EngHsh Channel must pass between the two Light vessels off Folkestone (see Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 228 of 1915), and proceed to the Downs, keeping inshore of an imaginary line joining the Southernmost of the two Light vessels to the South Goodwin Light-vessel. Further in- structions as to routes can be obtained in the Downs. 7. Vessels proceeding up or down the East Coast should keep within 3 mUes of the coast when consistent with safe navigation. D. ^PARTICULAR PASSAGES. (Note. — In eacli case the return voyage should be made on the Bame route.) 8. East Coast Ports to Channel and French Ports. — Pro- ceed to the Downs following the directions in paragraph 7 and Admiralty Notice to Mariners, No. 239 of 1915. At the Downs further instructions wiU be obtained. 9. East Coast Ports to Dutch Ports. — Proceed as directed in paragraph 7 and Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 239 of 1915. Leave the Enghsh coast between the parallels 51° 40' N. and 51° 54' N.; proceed between these paral- lels as far as Longitude 3° E.; shape course thence to destination. Vessels using this route (which passes be- tween the British and Gennan mine-fields) must clearly understand that they do so entirely at their own risk. 10. East Coast Ports to Scandinavian Ports. — Proceed as directed in paragraph 7 and Admiralty Notice to Mariners No. 239 of 1915, as far as Farn Island; then steer for Lindesnaes and thence to destination, keeping in terri- torial waters. The route from St. Abbs Head to Sta- vanger may be used as an alternative to the above route. 27 11. British and Allied vessels wishing to use the North about route should apply to the Customs for directions. Neutral vessels vvisliing to use the North-about route should be informed that application for permission to do so must be obtained through their Diplomatic represent- atives, and that, failing such permission, thej^ must pro- ceed South-about. In no circumstances are vessels allowed to pass through the Jklinches or through the Pentland Firth. 12. Sailing Vessels from Atlantic to Scandinavian Ports. — Pass to Westward of Ireland and St. KUda. Then make the Faroe Islands, and proceed thence to destmation, passmg to the Northward of the Shetland Islands, and keeping 50 miles from them. Admiralty War Staff (Trade Division) 15th May 1915 File No. 841.S01/40. The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page. [Telegram.] Department of State, Washington, May 20, 1915. Admiralty announcement canceling notice on Naviga- tion North Sea of November 30, 1914, cabled by Skimier May 17th states that British and allied vessels wishing to use northabout route should apply to Customs, and neutral vessels must apply for permission, through their foreign representatives, and failing such permission pro- ceed southabout. Department does not fully understand the intention and effect underlying such regulations, and shaU be glad to have an immediate report on the subject from you. Bryan. File No. 841.8W/46. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, London, June 5, 1915. Followmg reply received today from Foreign Office : "I did not fail to refer to the proper department of His Majesty's Government the notes which lour Excellency was good enough to address to me on the 22nd and 29th ultimo enquiring as to the Admiralty announcement can- celling the notice on navigation in the North Sea of No- vember 30th, 1914. "I have the honour to state in reply that the notice on navigation in the North Sea dated 15th May introduced no new regulations with regard to the northabout route. The notice was merely intended to summarise existing practice which has been evolved with the object of ensur- ing that trade passing northabout shall be hmitod in amount and reputable in character. "Many applications for vessels to use the northabout route have been received through the Legations of the 28 Scandinavian Powers in London and permission lias been granted. "I have the honour to add that any similar applications which may be made on behalf of United States vessels would of course receive equal treatment." Page. Pile No. 841.801/46. TTie Secretary of State ad interim to Ambassador W. H. Page. [Telegram — Paraphrase . ] No. 1721.] Department of State, WasJiington, June 16, 1915. Mr. Lansing states that the inquiry in Department's May 20th is not fully answered m the note of June 5th from the British Foreign Office. The Department is at a loss to understand the British Government's object in regulating foreign vessels' courses on the high seas as for example in paragraphs 10, 11, and 12 of the general instructions of the fifteenth of May enclosed m despatch of May 19 from Consul General appears to be the case. Mr. Page is directed to press the British Foreign Office for a further explanation. File No. 841.801/47. Consul General Sldnner to tlie Secretary cf State. [Telegram.] American Consulate Geneeal, London, June 23, 1915. Hydrographic Department, Admiralty issue notice 525, warning mariners danger passing through Pas de Calais between Le Colbart (the ridge) and French coast. Ves- sels from North must wait off Calais for pilot or instruc- tions, vessels from South must wait ofl^ Boulogne. Vessels not conforming above do so at their own peril. Skinner. File No. 841.801/49. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] No. 2517.] , American Embassy, London, July 23, 1915., Your 1721, June 16. Following note received from Foreign Office, dated July 22 : ' ' I did not fail to refer to the proper Department of his majesty's government the note which your excellency was so good as to address to me on the 18th ultimo re- garding the Admiralty announcement cancelling the notice on navigation in the North Sea on the 30th November 1914. ' ' I have now the honour to inform your excellency that the action of His Majesty's Government in indicating routes to be followed by neutral merchant vessels in the vicinity of the British Isles and in the North Sea is based upon the fact that merchant vessels passing through the 29 North Sea run very grave risk unless they act in strict accordance with the directions of the Admiralty. Before issuing such special directions to a neutral vessel the Admiralty desires to bo assured that the vessel's voyage is undertaken with the laiowledgc and consent of the government of the country whose flag she flies, and for tl\is reason it is necessary that the apphcation by a neutral vessel for advice as to special routes should be supported by the diplomatic representative of the govern- ment in question. "If such support to the application is not given neutral vessels will not receive the special instructions as to the north aboutroute and wiU be advised to go soutliabout where they can be supplied with the latest warnings and obtain the services of pUots where necessary." Page. File No. 841.801/49. Tlie Secreiary of State to Amhassador W. H. Page. [Telegram.] No. 1908.] Department of State, Washington, July 26, 1915. Your 2517, July 23. Department understands re- quirement in Admiralty Notice May 15 that neutral vessels bound to North Sea by northabout route must obtain from Admiralty special directions through their diplomatic representatives applies only to vessels sading from British ports and not to vessels sailing direct from American or other neutral ports. Ascertain and report whether this understanding is correct. Have any Ameri- can owned or chartered vessels applied for such directions through Embassy or been interfered with for failure to apply. Also notify Consul-Gcneral. Lansing. File No. 841.801/51. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, London, August 17, 1915. I am in receipt of a note from Sir Edward Grey in reply to my representations based on the Department's instructions which reads as follows : "I have the honor to inform Your Excellency in reply that in principle His Majesty's Government would desire that neutral vessels passing northabout from one neutral port to another should sail with the knowledge and con- sent of the Government of the country whose flag they fly and should foUow a track similar as far as possible to that used by vessels saihng from British ports. The difficulty of ensuring this is however so considerable and the responsibility of His Majesty's Government in the matter is so shght that no endeavor is being made in practice to secure any such limitation of sailuigs." Page. 30 File No. 841.801/53. Consul General SJcinner to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] Amkkican Consulate General, London, Septeinher 3, 1915. Admiralty Order 764. Traffic in Straits Dover between Varne Shoal and Folkestone must pass between light vessels moored — first 2 J miles 140 degrees south 26 de- grees east magnitude (?) from Folkestone pierhead lati- tude 51 degrees 02 minutes 40 seconds north longitude 1 degree 14 minutes 10 seconds east; second 5 cables 150 degrees south 16 degrees east magnitude (?) from first. Ships disregarding this warning do so at own peril. Skinnee. File No. 841.801/72. Amiassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, London, May 2, 1916. Following circular note received to-daj' from Foreign Office, dated May first, 1916. "The Secretarj' of State for Foreign Affairs presents his comphments to the United States Ambassador and has the honom- to acquaint him for the information of the United States Government that it has been found necessary to extend the eastern limit of the danger area of the British minefield off the Belgian coast, notified on the twenty-second October, 1914, so as to include the waters south of latitude fifty-one degrees, forty minutes north, as far as the Meridian of three degrees, twenty minutes east, instead of three degrees east as previously notified. Sir E. Grey would remind Dr. Page that the danger area as notified on the second October, 1914, comprised that situated between latitude fifty-one degrees, fifteen minutes and fifty-one degrees, forty minutes north, and longitude one degree, thirty-five minutes east, and thi'ee degrees east." Page. Hie No. 841.801/74. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] British Embassy, London, May 29, 1916. Eespecting mine field oft' Belgian coast. Foreign Office inform me imder date Maj^ twenty- seventh that the Eastern limit of the danger area of the British mine field oft' the Belgian coast should be defined as the meridian of three degrees eighteen minutes east instead of three degrees twenty minutes east as pre- viously notifiedjn error. Page. 31 Pile No. 841.801/78. The British Airibassador to the Secretary of State. No. 193.] Beitish Embassy, Washington, July 1, 1916. Sir: I have the honoiu', in accordance with instruc- tions received from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to transmit to you herewith copy of an Admiralty Notice to Mariners, No. 618 of 1916, relative to the necessity for the exercise of caution in navigating on account of certain mined areas in the North Sea. I am instructed to invite the attention of the United States Government to the extension of the danger zone as indicated at (B) in the enclosed notice. I have, etc., (For the Ambassador) COLVILLE BaRCLAT. [Inclosxire.] ADMIRALTY XOTICK TO MARINERS. No. 618 of the year 1916. NORTH SEA Caution with regard to Mined Areas. Former notice. — No. 541 of 1916; hereby cancelled. Caution. — ^Mariners are warned that a system of mine- fields has been established by H. M. Government upon a considerable scale. All vessels are strongly advised to obtain a London Trinity House pilot when navigating between Great Yarmouth and the EngMsh Channel. It is dangerous for vessels to enter the following areas. — (a) The area enclosed between the parallels of lati- tude 51° 15' N. and 51° 40' N., and the meridians of longitude 1° 35' E. and 3° 18' E. (J)) The area enclosed between the parallels of lati- tude 51° 40' N. and 52° 00' N., and the meridians of longitude 1° 55' E. and 2° 32' E. Remarlcs. — Although these hmits are assigned to the danger areas, it must not be supposed that navigation is necessarily safe in any portion of the southern waters of the North Sea. Note. — This Notice is a repetition of Notice No. 541, of 1916, with addition of the danger area specified in para- graph (b). (Notice No. 618 of 1916.) Authority. — The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. (H. 3512/16.) By Command of their Lordships, J. F. Parry, Hydrographer. Hydrogkaphic Department, Admiralty, London, 9tJi June 1916. 32 FUe No. 841.801/80. Ambassador ^Y. H. Page to the Secretary oi State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, London, January 25, 1917. Following notice dated January twenty-fourth received from Foreign Office with request that it be brought imme- diately to attention of United States'[Governnient. " In view of the unrestricted warfare carried on by Ger- many at sea by means of mines and submarines not only against the Allied Powers but also against neutral ship- pmg and the fact that merchant ships are constantly sunk without regard to the ultimate safety of their crews, His Majesty's Government give notice that on and after the seventh proximo the undermentioned area in the North Sea wiU be rendered dangerous to all shipping by opera- tions against the enemy and it should therefore be avoided. "Area comprising all the waters except Netherland and Danish territorial waters lying to the southward and east- ward of a hne commencing four miles from the coast of Jutland in latitude 56 degrees north, longitude eight de- grees east from Greenwich and passing through the follow- ing positions: Latitude fifty-six degrees north, longitude six degrees east, latitude fifty-four degrees forty-five minutes east (?) thence to a position in latitude fifty- three degrees thirty-seven minutes north, longitude five degrees east, seven miles off the coast of the Netherlands. "To meet the needs of the Netherland coastal traffic which cannot strictly confine itself to territorial waters owing to navigational difficulties a safe passage wiU be left to the southward of a hne joining the following points: Latitude fifty-three degrees twenty-seven minutes north, longitude five degrees east, latitude fifty-three degrees thirty-one and haS minutes north, longitude five degrees thirty minutes east, latitude fifty-three degrees thirty- four minutes north, longitude six degrees east, latitude fifty-three degrees thirty-nine minutes north, longitude six degrees twenty-three minutes east." Page. Pile No. 841.801/83. Ambassador Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embasst, London, February 15, 1917. Following revised notice dated February thirteenth received from Foreign Office respecting dangerous area in North Sea which is intended to replace notice quoted my telegram 5544, January twenty-fifth, 1917: "North Sea. Caution with regard to dangerous area. Caution. In view of the unrestricted warfare carried on by Germany at sea by means of mines and submarines not only against the Allied Powers but also against neutral shipping and the fact that merchant ships are constantly sunk without regard to the idtimate safety of their crews. His Majesty's Government give notice that on and after the seventh February, 1917, the under- mentioned area in the North Sea wiH be rendered dan- gerous to all shipping by operations against the enemy and it should therefore be avoided. 33 "Dangerous Area. The area comprising all the waters except Netherland aind Danish territorial waters lying to the southward and eastward of a line commencing four miles from the coast of Jutland in latitude fiftj-sLx degrees north longitude eight degrees east and passing through the following positions: Latitude fifty-sbc degrees north longitude sLx degrees east and latitude fifty-four degrees forty-five mmutes north longitude foiu- degrees thirty minutes east thence to a position in latitude ififty- three degrees twenty-seven minutes north longitude five degrees east seven miles from the coast of Tlic Nether- lands. "To meet the needs of the coastal traffic which can not strictly confine itself to territorial waters owing navigational difficulties, it will be safe to navigate be- tween the coast of Jutland and a line passing through the following positions: Latitude fifty-six degrees north longitude eight degrees east latitude fifty-five degrees forty minutes north longitude eight degrees east latitude fifty-five degrees thirty-six minutes north longitude seven degrees fifteen minutes east latitude fifty-five de- grees thirt^'-two minutes north longitude seven degrees fifteen minutes east latitude fifty-five degrees twenty- two minutes north longitude seven degrees forty-five mmutes east latitude fifty-five degrees nineteen minutes north longitude eight degrees four minutes east latitude fifty-five degrees twenty-two minutes north longitude eight degrees nineteen minutes east which is three miles from the coast of Fano Island. "Also a safe passage ^vill be left along the Netherland coast southward of a line joining the following positions: Latitude fifty-three degrees twenty-seven minutes north longitude five degrees east latitude fifty-three degrees thirty-one and half minutes north longitude five degrees thirty minutes east latitude fifty-three degrees thirty- four minutes north longitude sLx degrees east latitude fifty-three degrees thirty-nine minutes north longitude six degrees twenty-three mmutes east." Page. File No.^763.72/3359a. The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador. No. 1485.] Department or State, Washington, February 19, 1917. Excellency: From time to time during the present war, as Your Excellency is aware, the Government of His Britannic Majesty have given notice of certain delimited areas of the high seas, designated as "niilitary areas" or "danger areas," ■ndthin which merchant ship- ping of all kinds, fishing craft, and all other vessels, were warned that they would be subject to the gravest dangei-s from mines laid by His Majestj-'s Government, and from hostile operations, and that they would enter such watei-s at their peril. This matter was referred to in the Departiuent's memorandum of August 13, 1914, and has been the subject of subsequent correspondence between the American Ambassador at London and the British Foreign Office. As the question of appropriating certain portions of the high seas for mihtary operations, to the exclusion of the use of the hostile area as a conmion highway of commerce, has not become a settled principle of inter- national law assented to by the family of nations, it will 34 be recognized that the Government of the United States must, and hereby does, for the protection of American interests, reserve generally all of its rights in the prem- ises, including the right not only to question the validity of these measures, but to present demands and claims in relation to any American interests which may be unlawfxiUy affected, directly or indirectly, by virtu e of the enforcement of these measures. Accept, etc., Robert Lansing . File No. 841.801/88. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] American Embassy, London, MarcJi 23, 1917. My telegram 5701, February fifteenth. Foreign office in note dated March twenty-first state: "As from the first April, 1917, the dangerous area will comprise all the waters except Danish and Netherlands territorial waters lying to the southward and eastward of a line commencing three miles from the coast of Jutland on the parallel of latitude fifty-six degrees north and passing through the following positions: "One. Latitude fifty-six degrees north, longitude six degrees east. "Two. Latitude fifty-four degrees forty-five minutes north, longitude four degrees thirty minutes east. "Three. Latitude fifty-three degrees twenty-three min- utes north, longitude five degrees one minute east. "Four. Latitude fifty- three degrees twenty-five min- utes north, longitude five degrees five and half minutes east, and thence to the eastward following the limit of Netherlands territorial waters." Page. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■iilli'S'JIilliiiiliBHIIIIIIIII 018 465 951 7