The Raymer enterprise., 1915-05-20
RULE OF WAR
MUST Be OBEYED
KAISER TOLD NOTHING WILL BE
LEFT uNooNE TO OBTAIN
U. s. RIGHTS.
GUARANTEE DEMANDED
StTtON so EMPHATiCAlLY
STATED THAT iT is pRAC.
TlckALY UlTIMATuM.
Western Newspaper Union New. Service.


Washington - President Wilson q
note to Germany informs the Kaiser i
government that the United States
will leave nothing undone to obtain
compliance with its request that
Germany adhere to the international
rules OF warfare when attacking mer-
chant ships on the high seas. The
note is regarded here as the strongest
representation that the United States
possibly could make with reference to
the sinking OF the Lusitanis and the
Gulflight and other offenses affecting
America.
II so thoroughly covers the aspects
Of the controversy and so emphatical.
ly states the position of the United
States and iH intention TO insist upon
its demands that the note is consid.
cred little short OF an ultimatum.
One, and only one. loophole is left
to Germany, by which she may back
down from her policy OF attacking
vessels without warning.
The note suggests that II is possible
that the commanders OF German sub.
marines have acted without instruc-
tons and that instructions to them In
accordance with the American note
will end the practices complained Of.
Summary OF Wilson Note.
The principal points in President
Wilson's note TO the German govern
ment substantially are as follows.
One-the United States government
calls attention to the various incidents
In the war zone proclaimed by Ger.
many around the British isles, the
sinking OF the British liner Falaba,
with the loss OF Leon c. Thresher, an
American, the attack by German air.
men on the American steamer Cush,
ing, the torpedoing without warning
of the American steamer Gulflight,
flying the Stars and Stripes, and final.
ly. the torpedoing without warning OF
the Lusitana with its loss OF more
than thousand lives OF non-comba.
fants. among them more than 100
Americans.
Two-These acts are declared to be
indefensibie under international law.
The United States points out that II
never admitted Germany's right 10 do
them. and warned the imperial govern.
ment that Il would be held to strict
accountability for attacks on Amer.
lean vessels or lives. A strict account.
ing therefore, Is now asked from Ger.
many.
Three-'rhe usual financial repara-
tion will be sought, although Germany
is In effect reminded that no repara.
tion can restore the lives OF those sac,
riflced in the sinking OF the Lusitania
and other ships.
Four-Expressions of regret may
comply with the legal precedents, hut
they are yalueless unless accompanied
by cessation OF the practices endan.
gering lives OF non-com batants.
Fiye-The right OF neutrals to travel
any point OF the high seas on neutral
or helligereIs merchantmen is as.
| serted
Skin the name OF humanity and
international law, the United States
demands guarantee that these rights
will be respected. and that there be
no repetition Of the attacks on mer.
clantmen carrying non-combatants.
Seyen-The giving OF warning to
the American public without officially
communicating them to the United
States government is commented on In
connection with the German embassy S
printed advertisement before the sail.
ing Of the Lusitania, but irrespective
of the failure to advise the American
government of Germany's purpose, the
punt 10 Hldut ludl Hotltt VI al iIltil'
ton to do an unlawful act neither jus.
titled nor legalized Ii.
Eight-The suggestion Is conveyed
that the German government, OF
course, could not have intended to de.
stroy innocent lives, and that conse-
quently the German submarine CON-
manders must have misunderstood
their instructions. The American gov.
ernment indicates its hope that this
will be found to be true, and cessa-
tion OF the unlawful practices thereby
Nine--In conclusion. Germany's at
tention is called TO the earnestness of
the government and and people Of the
United States In this situation. 1t Is
made plain that the United States viii
leave nothing undone, either in diplo-
matte representations or other action,
to obtain a compliance by Germany
to the request made.