The United States Government has sent a Note to the
belli- gerents warning theni that unless they accept the conditions Propsed for the regulation of submarine warfare, armed merchantmen may be denied entry into American ports except under the rules applying to ships of war. The proposed regu- lations are "(1) That a non-combatant has the right to traverse the high seas in a merchant ship flying a belligerent flag and to rely on the rules of international law and humanity for its protection.
(2) That a merchant ship of any nationality is not subject to attack without warning.
(3) That a belligerent-oWned merchant ship should promptly obey an order to stop.
(4) That a merchant vessel should not be fired upon unless it tries to resist, and even then the attack must cease as soon as flight and resistance cease.
(5) That only if it is impossible to supply a prize crew or to convoy the merchant ship is sinking justified, and that in that case tho passengers and crew must be removed to a place of safety."
In other words, the American Government contemplates with- drawing the recognition of the right of British merchantmen to defend themselves against unlawful attacks. That right has long been asserted by international law, and was expressly confirmed by Mr. Wilson in the present war.
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