The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-07-13
Germany Refuses to
Give Assurance
OF SAFETY ON THE SEA
Denies Responsibility for Sink.
Ing Of the LuSitania.
COUNTER PROPOSALS MADE

Berlin Offers Safe Passage to United
states Vessels If Specially Marked
and Guaranteed Not to Carry Con.
traband-Blames Great Britain For
slockades and Submarine Warfare
and Welcomes Suggestion of Presi-
dent Wilson For Modification OF
Same.
Berlin, July l0.-Germany's offer, EN-.
bodied in the reply to the American
note regarding the sinking of the Lu-
sitania and submarine warfare, which
was delivered to James w. Gerard,
American ambassador, last night, is:
First. Reiterated assurance that
American ships engaged in legitimate
trade will rot be interfered with nor
the lives of Americans upon neutral
ships be endangered.
Second. That German submarines
will be instructed to allow American
passenger ships to pass freely and
safely, Germany entertaining in re.
lean government will see that these
ships do not carry contraband such
ships to be provided with distinguish
ing marks and their arrival announced
reasonable time in advance. The
same privilege is extended to a rea.
sonable number of neutral passengers
ships under the American flag, and
chnIll1 th NJ nl,,,r pf c1, Inc fh,,,
able for passenger service prove mad.
equate, Germany is willing to permit
America to place four hostile passen-
ger steamers under the American flag
to ply between North America and
Europe under the same conditions.
Germany makes the claim that the
Lusitania sank more rapidly than was
expected, possibly because OF NUM-
tions aboard, and condones the liners
destruction by the fact that many Ger
man mothers and children would have
lost breadwinners If the cargo had
reached Germany's foes.
The note places blame for Ger
many's submarine warfare on Great
Britain's starvation policy and ex-
presses the hope that President Will
s0n may suggest to the allies pro-
posals that will result in changes OF
maritime war.
lusitanla Incident.
The note, which is signed by Won
Jagow, says:
Germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared
part of the high sea an area of war.
Consequently, accidents suffered by
neutrals on enemy ships In this area
of war can not well be judged differ
emily from accidents to which neutrals
are at all times exposed at the seat
of war on land when they betake
themselves into dangerous localities
In spite of previous warnings. If the
commander of the German submarine
when destroyed the Lusitania hal
caused the crewand passengers to take
to the boats before firing torped
this woud have meant the sure de-
struction of his own vessel After tho
experience in sinking much smaller
and less seaworthy vessels, 1t was to
be expected tnat mighty ship like
the Lusitania would remain above
water long enough even after the tor
pedoing to permit passengers to enter
the ships boats Circumstances of A |
very peculiar kind, especially the pres.
ence on board of large quantities OF !
highly explosive materials, dissipated |
this expectation In addition. it may |
be pointed out that If the Lusitania |
had been spared thousands of cases |
of munitions would have been sent to |
Germany's enemies and thereby thou.
sands of German mothers and chill
dren robbed of breadwinners.
THE president of the United States |
mas declared his readiness, in a way
deserving of thanks, to communicate
and suggest proposals to the govern.
ment OF Great Britain with particular |
references to the alteration Of mari.
time war Teh imperial government
VIII always be glad to make use of
the good Offices OF the president and
hopes that mis- efforts In the present
case, as well as in the direction OF the
lofty ideal of the freedom of the seas.
Will lead to an understanding"