Mexico Missouri message., 1915-07-15

ecution Of legitimate shipping, and
the lives of American citizens in neu-
trail vessels shall not be placed In
jeopardy.
Willing to Pass Certified ships.
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers, made possible in view of the con-
duct of maritime war by Germany's
adversaries, German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage Of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by spe-
cial markings and notified a reason
able time In advance.
The Imperial Government, however.
confidently hopes that the American
Government will assume to guarantee
that these vessels have no contra
band on board, details Of arrange
ments for the unhampered passage of
these vessels to be agreed upon by
the naval authorities Of both sides.
In order to furnish adequate facili-
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German Govern
ment submits for consideration a pro-
posal to increase the number Of avail
able steamers by installing in passen-
ger service a reasonable number Of
neutral steamers under the American
flag the exact number to be agreed
upon under the same condition as the
aforementioned American steamers.
Need Not Travel on 5eIIigerent Ships
The Imperial Government believes
1t can assure that in this manner
adequate facilities for travel across
the Atlantic Ocean can be afforded
American citizens. There would there
fore appear to be no compelling ne
cessity for American citizens to travel
to Europe in time of war on ships
carrying an enemy flag. In particu-
lar the Imperial Government is un-
able to admit that American citizens
can protect an enemy ship through
the mere fact Of their presence on
board.
Germany merely followed England's
example when she declared part OF
the high sea an area Of war. Cen
sequently, accidents suffered by neu-
trails on enemy ships in this area of
war cannot well be judged differently
from accidents to which neutrals are
at all times exposed at the seat of
war on land when they take them
selves into dangerous localities in
spite of previous warnings.
Would Let U. s. Use Four Vessels.
If, however, it should not be pos
sible for the American Government
| to secure an adequate number OF
neutral passenger steamers. the I'M
perial Government is prepared to in
terpose no objections to the placing
under the American flag by the Am
erican Government of four enemy pas
senger steamers for passenger traffic
between North America and England.
Assurances of free and safe" pas
sage for American, passenger steamers
would extend to apply under the iden-
teal proconditions to these formerly
hostile passenger steamers.
The President Of the United States
has declared his readiness in a way
deserving Of thanks, to communicate
and suggest proposals to the Gov
eminent Of Great Britain with par
ticular reference to the alteration Sr
maritime war.
The Imperial Government will al
ways be glad to make use of the good
offices of the President, and hopes
that his efforts in the present case,
as well as in the direction OF the
lofty ideal Of the freedom of the sea,
will lead to an understanding.
The undersigned requests the AM
bassador to bring the above to the
knowledge of the American Govern
ment and avails himself of the OPP
portunity to renew to his Excellency
the assurance of his most distinguish
ed consideration.
(Signed) Won JAGOW.