Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-14
WILSON DEMANDS
Citizens RIGHTS
BE RESPECTED
In Strong Note to Germany,
Chief Executive UpholdS
Nations Neutrality
WAR ZONE N0N-ExISTENT
WHERE U. S. Is CONCERNED
SAYS a Grave Situation Has
Arisen and Demands Strict
Accounting


Associated Press by Federal Wirelessl
WASHINGTON, d. c., May fam
erica calls c. Germany to abandon
her submarine campaign against mer-
chant shipping. as unfair 70 reason,
Justice and humanity.
And In this vital natter" says
President Wilson, the United States
locks to Germany for prompt. enlight.
ened action" His note was cabled to I
Berlin yesterday.
Disbelief that Germany viii accede
10 such a demand vas so strong last
night in Washington that 1t found ex-
preston in rumors that the German
ambassador, Count Won Bernstorn.
had informed the state department. In
advance of the despatch Of the Ameri.
can note, that his government could
not be expected to entertain such pro-
posals.
Wellinformed persons did not credit
the rumor, but nevertheless 1t was
brought to the attention of Count Won
Bernstorff, who promptly denied 1t.
Opposition to Note 10 Expected.
President Wilson and his advisers
fully recognize the opposition his note
will encounter In Berlin, for Germany
has not spared pains TO justify the
submarine warfare she Is waging
against Great Britain and France as
military necessity, vital to her self
preservation. This contention Prest
dent Wilson does not recognize.
Submarines" he says. cannot be
used against merchant shipping with
- 80
principles Of justice and humanity
For such violations. Intentional or
incidental, insofar as they affect Am-
erican shipmasters and citizens. the
note says that the United States win
hold Germany 70 sstrict accountable
fly"
Hopes Acts Had no offIclal Sanction.
In tone and phrasing the note IL e.
gravely courteous as It's serious bur
den would admit. Passing over al
the German proclamations and iustiEi-
cations, It takes the position that
such acts as German submarines have
committed on Americans must have
been done under q Misrepresentation Of
orders, and asks that the whole sub.
ject be considered anew a. matter
in which Germany had not arrived e
a mature decision.
Secretary Bryan cabled the note to
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin, for
transmission to the German govern
ment. II was not addressed rect q
the Emperor, as had been thought
possible. Instead, II followed the reg
ular course Of diplomatic communities
tions. President Wilson wrote the
text, but Secretary Bryan signs the
note.
The note begins by calling the. At.
tention Of Germany to the grave sIt.
uation which, has resulted" from re.
peated violations Of American rights
on the high seas, eliminating In the
sinking of the Lusitania with the loss
OF 1873 American lives.
In such circumstances, the note con.
tinues, it is clearly wise and desirable
that the United States and Germany
should come to a full and clear under
standing.
Recalls Various Breaches
Of Neutrality Rights.
Mention is made Of the sinking Of
the Falaba, and the attendant death
vi hIcouCIp oil AAnCElCoA9 luC AAOIF-
ping of bombs by German aircraft
on the decks of the American ship
Gushing. the torpedoing OF the Ameri.
can ship Gulflight. and finally the de
struction of the Lusitania.
All these acts, says the President
constitute a series of events which
the United States has observed with
growing distress, concern and amaze.
ment
"This government cannot bring Il.
self to conceive that Germany coun.
tenanced and sanctioned such actions.
1t hopes that II Is not mistaken, and
is expecting action on the part Of Ger
many which will correct the unfor.
tunate impressions created and vim
dictate the position of the imperial
German government with regard TO
sacred freedom.
THE United States has been made
aware of the creation by Germany OF
q war zone at sea, but 1t cannot sub
nit to the adoption Of such measures
or permit any warnings of danger
within such zone to become ope-
rative as an abbreviation Of the rights
of American shipmasters and citizens
bound on lawful errands, whether uH-
der the protection Of the American
flag or as. passengers on merchant
ships of belIigerent nationality.
Germany Must Answer
For Infringcments.
Neither can the United States
evade its duty to hold Germany to
strict accountability for any infringe.
ment of those rights, whether inten-
tionaI or incidental
"The United States desires to call
the attention of Germany with. the Ut
most earnestness to the practical I'm.
possibility of employing submarines
F. Continued on Page Ten)