Evening star., 1915-06-11
The Note to Germany.

The spirit and tNed determination
hack OF the note to Germany, and not
its words. must have caused Mr.
Brvan's resignation. The document
strikes and sustains the same high
note that was sounded in the prevl-
Gus communications, which II renews
BY reference. but the words used are
even less provocative OF resentment
than the words of the note to Ger
many which Mr. Bryan signed.
The rights under international la"
of Americans on American ships
even blockade-runners carrying con-
traband to the enemy. are IN course
of full recognition by Germany. and
there is every reason to expect that
in the end-the sooner the better
reparation for the past, in such cases
as those OF the Gulflight and Cushing
and assurances for the future will be
given by Germany. If Germany, rec
ognizine the inevitable end of thi:
controversy on this point. should
not grudgingly and in driblets, but
promptly and fully recognize its OBJ
legation in this respect and base ap-
propriate assurances thereon. its po-
sition would be strengthened in the
controversy over the future rights OF
Americans on belligerent ships like
the Lusitania and Falaba.
Under international law as it ex-
listed when the Lusitania was torpe-
doed the lives of American passen-
gers were safeguarded provided the
Lusitania was an unarmed, unde-
Tended merchantmen. The German
reply alleges in substance that the
Lusitania was an armed auxiliary
warship. carrying munitions of war.
If the Lusitania was in fact armed
Germany's homicidal action is tech
nically defensible. If the Lusitania
was not armed it is immaterial under
existing international law, so far as
the safety of American passengers is
concerned, that she carried as part of
her freight munitions of war.
Today's note makes it clear to Ger
many that the Lusitania was not
armed, that the charge to this effect
is an accusation of breach OF neutral
ity against the United States. and
that this government renews its SOL
emn guarantee of the Lusitania's un-
armedness which it gave when after
thorough official inspection it per-
mitted the Lusitania to sail.
On the strength of this demonstra-
ton and accepting in good faith the
American assurances Germany should
promptly acknowledge the mistake
under which the Lusitania was tor
pedoed, disclaim intent to destroy
without warning American lives on
an unarmed, undefended merchant
man and express regrets for these
homicides in words that ring true
and sincere
When this manly reparation had
been made Germany might well open
question OF alleged necessary future
notifications of international law
compelled by the development of the
submarine III naval warfare. and es-
pecially in relation to submarine at
tacks upon ships Of the enemy, armed
or transporting troops or munitions
OF war, which Germany is naturally
unwilling TO abandon. In such nego-
tlatrons the question whether any
belligerent ship, ii instructed to ram
or otherwise resist. is not armed
against a vulnerable submarine may
be considered, and the proposition OF
separation OF passenger belligeren,
ships and belligercnt ships carrying
munitions Of war, the first being i'm
rnune from torpedoing, would prop
crly be discussed. If such negotia
tlons should lead to the abandonment,
OF the whole barbarous competition
IN savage rcprisals 10 which tht
struggle between Germany and Great
Britain has degenerated service
would be rendered TO civilization, tc
tho principles of humanity and to tn,
world
America does not wish 10 war, bu
unf1nchingly 10 protect the lives anc
property rights Of its people againsr
new savageries of war. in the interes
ot humanity 10 reduce 10 minimum
those sayageries even as between tho
belligerents, and finally, as soon as il
IS consistent with Gods purpose, tc
help in ending the horrors of the
struggle under which the whole
world groans III anguish
This spirit is breathed III every linz
and in every firm. calm word OF the
American note 10 Germany. TIL,
voice speaking through il is that Of
America, not OF any individual OF
any faction or any party.
The dove M Deare has aver,, b,.x