DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

50 MARITIME DANGEB ZONES.
File No. 763.72/3587.
The Minister of Switzerland in charge of German interests
in Anoerica to the Secretary of State.
[Translation.]
LEGATION OP SWITZERLAND,
Washington, March 23, 1917. 1
Ms. SECRETARY OP STATE: The Political Department,
Division of Foreign Affairs, instructs me and I have
hereby the honor to notify the Government of the United
States as follows:
" The Imperial German Government to-day gave notice
of an extension of the submarine blockade, according to
which it will henceforth and without further notice oppose
by every means in its power any navigation whatsoever
of the waters of the Arctic Ocean lying east and
south of the seventy-fifth degree of latitude north, with
the exception of the Norwegian territorial waters. Neutral
vessels navigating that zone would do so at their risk
and peril. Steps, however, have been taken directing
that neutral vessels already on their way to ports within
the newly prohibited zone or intending to leave those
ports should not until the 5th of April be attacked without
previous warning."
Be pleased, etc.,
P. HITTER.
File No. 763.72/3593.
The Minister of Switzerland in charge of German interests
in America to the Secretary of State.
[Translation.]
LEGATION OP SWITZERLAND,
Washington, March &£, 1917.
MR. SECRETARY OP STATE: In continuation of my note
of yesterday I am asked and I have the honor to inform
Your Excellency that, according to a telegram received
this day from the Political Department, the German Government's
notice of the blockade of the Arctic Ocean is to
be completed as follows:
"The blockaded waters east of the 24th degree of
longitude east and south of the seventy-fifth degree of
latitude north."
Be pleased, etc.,
P. HITTER.
' Received.