New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-13

, Germany cannot give up her SUBJ
marine blockade unless England con-
sents 20 let Germany import food, cot
ton and other supplies which she needs
from America or elsewhere. do not
mean contraband That will always be
subject to seizure, under international
law and prize court rules. But Eng
land demands the right to import con-
traband, and America virtually stands
behind her in this note in that de-
mand. while denying Germany the
right to import food"
The American note was TO have been
cabled tonight, but the President. at
ter conferences with Counsellor Robert
Lansing OF the State Department made
several changes in verbal detail and
then revised it alone in his study to-
night.
What the Note Says.
No changes we're made in the es-
sentials of the communication ss for
mulated on Sunday by the President
and approved by the Cabinet yesterday.
The principal points in the note are
substantially as follows:
The United States government calls
attention 10 the various incidents in
the war zone proclaimed by Germany
around the British lsles-the sinking
OF the British liner Falaba. with tho
loss Of Leon c. Thresher. an Ameri-
can; the attack by German airmen on
the American steamer Cushing; the
torpedoing without warning of the
American steamer Gulflight, dying the
Stars and Stripes, and. finally. the tor
pedoing without warning of the Lusi-
tanla, with the loss of more than 1000
lives of non-combatants, among them
more than 100 Americans.
These acts are declared 10 be inde-
fensible under international law. The
United States points out that IL never
admitted Germany's right TO do them,
and warned the imperial governments
that it would be held TO a strict sc-
countability" for attacks on American
vessels or lives. A strict accounting,
therefore, is now asked from Germany.
The usual financial reparation will
be sought. although Germany IL in
effect reminded that no reparation can
restore the lives of those sacrificed In
the sinking Of the Lusitani.. and other
ships.
Mere Regrets Yalueless.
Expressions of regret may comply
with the legal precedents. but they are
valueless unless accompanied by ces.
satlon of the practices endangering
lives OF -combatants.
The right Of neutrals 10 travel TO any
point on the high seas on neutral of
belligerent merchantmen Is asserted.
In the name of humanity and inter-
national law. the United States de-
mands a guarantee that these rights
will be respected, and that there be no
repetition Of attacks on merchantmen
carrying non-combatants.
The giving of warnings 10 the Ameri-
can public without officially communi.
eating them 70 the United States gov
ernment is commented on in connection
with the German Embassys printed
advertisement before the sailing Of the
Lusitania, but. irrespective OF the fall
ure 10 advise the American government
of Germany's purpose. The point Is
made that notice OF an intention 10 do
an unlawful act neither justified nor
legallzed II.
Hopes Orders Were Misunderstood.
The suggestion is conveyed that the
German government, of course, could
not have intended TO destroy innocent
lives, and that consequently the Ger
man submarine commanders must have
misunderstood their instructions. The
American government indicates its hope
that this will be found TO be true. and
a cessation of the unlawful practices
thereby will result.
In conclusion. Germany's attention is
called 10 the earnestness Of the gov
ernment and people Of the United