The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-11

| ""S ohuoupbcuiy WIN ih"'N''
guns, supplied with trained gunners an'
special ammunition, transporting troop
from Canada, carrying cargo not per
mitted under the laws of the unitec
States to vessel also carrying passen
gers and serving, in virtual effect, as al
AUXILIARY to the naval forces OF Great
Britain. Fortunately, these are matters
concerning which the government OF tho
| United States is in a position to give
the imperial German government official
| information. OF the facts alleged in
your excellency's note, if true, the gov.
ernment of the United States would have
been bound to take official congnizance
in performing its recognized duty as a
neutral power and in enforcing its ma
tional laws. 1t was its duty to see to it
that the Lusitania was not armed for
defensive action; that she was not sery-
ing as transport; that she did not
carry a cargo prohibited by the statutes
of the United States, and that, il in fact
she was naval vessel of Great Britain,
she should not receive clearance as mer-
chantman; and it performed that duty
and enforced it's statutes with scrupu-
lous vigilance through its regularly con-
stituted officials 1t is able, therefore,
to assure the imperial German govern
ment that it has been misinformed. II
the imperial German government should
deem itself to be in convincing evidence
that the officials OF the government OF
the United States did not perform these
duties with thoroughness, the govern
ment of the United States sincerely hopes
that it will submit that evidence for
"Whatever may be the contentious OF
the imperial German government regard
ing the carriage of contraband of war on
board the Lusitania or regarding the ex-
plosion of that material by the torpedo.
it need only be said that in view OF this
these contentious are irrele-
want to the question of the legality of
The methods used by the German naval
in sinking the vessel.
But the sinking of passenger ships
involves principles of humanity which |
,hrow into the background any special
OF detail that may be |
hought to affect the cases, principles
which lift it, as the imperial German
will no doubt be quick to
ecognize and acknowledge, out OF the /
lass of ordinary subjects of diplomatic
discussion or of international centryersy. l
Whatever be the other facts regarding
he Lusitania, the principal fact is that
great steamer, primarily and chiefly
onveyance for passengers, and carrying
nore than a thousand souls who had no
art or lot in the conduct of the war,
tas torpedoed and sunk without so much
S challenge or a warning, and that
aen. women and children were sent to
heir deaths in circumstances unparal-
lied in modern warfare. The fact that
lore than 100 American citizens were
mong those who perished made it the
uty of the government of the United
tates to speak of these things and once
lore, with solemn emphasis, to call the
ttention Of the imperial German gov
-nment to the grave responsibility which !
le government OF the United States con
ives that it has incurred in this tragic
.currence, and to the indisputable prin-
pie upon which that responsibility 9
'sts. The government of the United
tates is contending for something much
-eater than mere rights of property or
-ivileges of commerce. 1t is contending !
II nothing less high and sacred than the I
ghts of humanity. which every govern 7
ent honors itself in respecting and
hich no government Is justified in re-
gning on behalf of those under it's care
ID authority. Only her actual resist Z
ice TO capture or refusal TO stop when .
- ID f.r k< saf Wis
uld have afforded the commander of Y
e submarine any justification for so L
nch as putting the lives of those on 9
ard the ship In jeopardy. This princi- =
} the government of the United States u
derstands the explicit instructions is e.
ed on Aug. g. 1914. by the imperial a
rman admiralty 20 its commanders at IA
! TO have recognized and embodied, as "
the naval codes OF all other nations, >.
d upon il every Traveller and seaman 7
a a right 60 depend. II is upon this eI
nciple of humanity, as well a. upon NJ
! law founded upon this principle, that III
; United States must stand. oi
The government of the United States X
happy to observe that your excellen- m
. note closes with the intimation that
, imperial German government is will
!, now, a. before, TO accept the good
ices Of the United States in an at n
npt 10 come TO an understanding with
government Of Great Britain by which
} character and conditions Of war upon an
sea may he changed. The govern an
Mt Of the United States would con- 10
er Il q privilege thus 20 serve its NJ,
snds and the world. II stands ready al
any time 10 convey 10 either govern H.,
ne any intimstion OF suggestion the "a
er may be willing 20 have Il convey bs.
cordially invites the imperial Ger -,
n government 10 make use ~ its serv- -,
in this way 1t lie convenience. The -,
ole world - concerned in anything
{ may bring about even a partial ac-
lynodstion Of interests or IN any wav
agate the tsrrors Of the present dis
ssing coufiet ~
n the meantime. whatever arrange -.
NJ may happily be made between the : !.
ties 70 the war. and uhstever may in -
opinion u the imperial eerrnsu GOV. -
,neut have been the provoeafion Or ths - y.
umstantisl Justification for the past :.
of ffs commanders ~ sea. tho Fos- ~ -.
-nsnt Of the Tinted statss couhd-rtlv lli
1s a. sse tho fustiep and humanity ~
gsVernuent ~ Germany FindieAtrd
ID cssrs v4ere AHnerinsns have tsen -
ngea ~ their rights as neutrsis IN at'
"a.
Ils government - ths tnstrf States ths
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