The Green Forest tribune., 1915-05-21

the government of the United State
 has observed with growing concern distress and amazement
 Recalling the humane and enlight ened attitude hitherto assumed b. the imperial German government il matters of international right, ant particularly with regard to the free dom of the seas; having learned tt recognize the German views and thu German influence in the field of in ternational obligation as always en gagged upon the side of justice and nu manity; and having understood the in structions of the imperial German government to it's naval commander. to be upon the same plane of humart action prescribed by the naval codeS of other nations, the government ot the United States was loath to believe lit cannot now bring itself to believe that these acts so absolutely con trary to the rules. the practices ant the spirit of modern warfare, could have the countenance or sanction o1 that great government It f..els it to be it's duty therefore to address the imperial German government concern i ing them with the utmost frankness and in the earnest hope that it is not mistaken in expecting action or the part of the imperial German gov. ernment, which will correct the un favorable impressions which have been created and vindicate once more the position of that government with regard to the sacred freedom of the seas.
 No War Zone Rights Over Americans.
 The government of the United States has been apprised that the i'm perial German government consider ed themselves to be obliged by the extraordinary circumstances of the present war and the measures adopt ed by their adversaTies in seeking to cut Germany off from all commerce, go much beyond the ordinary meth odS of warfare at sea in the proclama- tion of war zone, from which they have warned neutral ships to keep away. This government has already taken occasion to inform the imperial German government that 1t cannot admit the adoption of such measures or such a warning of dangers to ope- rate as in any degree an abbrevia- tion of the rights of American ship masters or of American citizens bound on lawful errands as passen gers on merchant ships of belligerent nationality; and that 1t must hold the imperial German government to q strict accountability for any infringe mont of those rights, intention or in cidentaL
 "It does not understand the im- perial German government to question those rights It assumes on the con- trary that the imperial government accepts, as of course, the rule that the lives of noncombatants, whether they be of neutral citizenship or citizens of one of the nations at war, cannot lawfully or rightfully be put Tn jeo- pardy by the capture or destruction of an unarmed merchantmen and rec ognizes also, as all other natio's do. the obligation to take the usual pre- caution to ascertain whether sup posed merchantmen is in fact of belig- erent nationality or is in act carry ing contraband of war under a neutral flag
 Protest Against Submarine Warfare.
 "The government of the United States, therefore, desires to call the attention of the imperial German gov ernment, with the utmost earnestness, to the fact that the objection to their present method of attack against the trade of their enemies lies in the practical impossibility of employing submarines In the destruction of com merce without desregarding those rules of fairness, reason, justice and humanity which all modern opinion regards as imperative It is practi- cally impossible for the officers of a submarine to visit merchantmen at sea and examine her papers and car go. It Is practically impossible for them to make prize of her and if they cannot put a prize crew on board of her, they cannot sink her without leaving her crew and all on board of her to the mercy of the sea in her small boats. These racts, it Is under stood, the imperial German govern ment frankly admits We arc inform ed that in the instances of which we have spoken time enough for even that poor measure of safety was not given and in at least two of the cases cited not so much as a warning WIS received. Manifestly subma ines can not be used against merchantmen. as the last few weeks have shown with. out an inevitable violation of many sacred principles of justice and hu manity.
 Will Uphold Rights of Americans.
 American citizens act within theil indfsputable rights In taking theil ships and in travelling wherever thei legitimate business calls them upo1 the high seas and exercise thos, ripht in what should ha tho wall i,,o