"PURE PIRACY.”

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 134, 9 February 1915, Page 5

"PURE PIRACY.”

STA TEMPT BY BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE.

Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, Fell. 8. The Foreign Office has issued a statement declaring that with certain iimitations the use of neutral flags as r, ruse do guerre is a v,•ell-established practice. Britain always considered the use of British colours bv foreign vessels as legitimate for the purpose or escaping capture, though a vessel otherwise using the colours was liable to forfeit are. It was also-obligatory upon a belligerent to ascertain the character of the merchant vessel and the cargo before-capture, (loiinany had no right to disregard such an obligation, and the:etore their intent ion to destroy ;mv ship with non-edrnbntants is pure piracy. The Lusitania, when nearing Ireland, hoisted the American flag, in pursuance ot the Admiralty ’s wireless, and arrived at Liverpool safe]v.