Milford chronicle., 1915-05-21
AMERICAN NOTE
Goes TO BERLIN
Demands Germany Guarantee
Safety Of Americans.
EARLY REPLY IS EXPECTED
Declares Attacks on Merchantmen
Carrying Non-Combatants Must
cease-Monetary Reparation For
Lusitania Victims Not Mentioned.

carrying Non-Combatants Must
cease-MOnetary Reparation For
Lusitania Victims Not Mentioned.
The United States sent to Germany
a note protesting against the sinking
of the Lusitania, with the loss of more
than 100 American lives, and other
violations Of American rights on the
high seas.
After three days of preparation by
President Wilson, with the assistance
of his cabinet, the document was
finally dispatched. A copy of the note
was delivered to Count Won Bernstorff,
| the German ambassador, by the state
| department as courtesy and copies
were similarly cabled to the Ameri-
can ambassadors at London, Paris and
Petrograd for their own information.
In some quarters friendly to Ger
many the impression prevailed that
the Berlin government would accede
to the American demands, but state
its expectation that the United States
would endeavor to secure the unre-
stricted passage of foodstuffs and con-
ditional contraband consigned to the
civilian population of Germany
Although no mention is understood
to be made as to the time when a re-
ply is expected from the imperial gov
ernment, the belief Is that the Ger.
man foreign Office, realizing the state
of feeling in the United States, will
answer promptly.
The note does not say what steps
will be taken or what course will be
pursued in the event of an unfavor.
able reply, but indicates that the Unit.
ed States will spare no pains either
by diplomatic representations or 9TH
erwise, to obtain an acquiescence in
its position.
The principal points in the Ameri.
can note are as follows:
The United States government calls
attention to the various incidents in
the war zone proclaimed by Germany
around the British Isles; the sinking
of the British liner Falabia, with the
loss of Leon c. Thresher an Ameri-
can; the attack by German airmen on
the American steamer Cushing; the
torpedoing, without warning, of the
American steamship Gulfight, flying
the Stars and Stripes, and finally the
torpedoing without warning of the Lu'
sitania, with its loss Of more than a
thousand lives of nOn-cOmbatants,
among them more than 100 Ameri'
cans.
These acts are declared to be indei
under international law. The
United States points out that it never
admitted Germany's right to do them,
and warned the imperial government
hat it would be held to strict &C.
for attacks on American
yessels or lives. A strict accounting,
therefore, is now asked from Ger.
many.
Expressions of regret may comply
gith the legal pFeeedents, but they
IRE. valueless unless accompanied by
cessatiOaio of the practices endanger
ng lives of Roa-eombatants.
The right Of neutrals to travel any
,oant Of the high seas on neutral or ,
,ellIgerent merchantmeR is asserted. !
In the name OF humanity and inter
.ational law, the United States de-
aands a guarantee that these rights !,
v1ll be respected, and that there be ;
o repetition Of the attacks on mer' :
haatmea carrying ROn-cOmbatants.
The giving of warnings to the Amer
AN public without officially cOmmn'
icating them to the Bnlted States
is commented on IN con- O
ectiOH with the German embassy's \
rated advertisement before the sail. n
,g OF the Lnsitania, but irrespective h
{ the failure to advise the American
oyernment OF Germany's purpose, c
ae point is made that notice OF an b
ltantfon to do an unlawful act a
either justified nor legalized 1t. "
The suggestion Is conveyed that
,e German government Of course
,dld not have intended to destroy In
ocent lives, and that consequently
le German submarine commanders p
ust have misunderstood their in . .
uuactions. The American government =
dictates its hope that this will be y
und to be true, and a cessation OF - -
.e unlawful practices thereby will Is
suit.
In conclusion, Germany's attention
called to the earnestness of the
and people of the United
ates in this situation. 1t is made "
ain that the United States will leave -
thing undone either in diplomatic DC
or other action to OBJ
in a compliance by Germany to the -
quests made. SO
81