The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-07-30
US. VIII VIEW ATTACKS
ON AMERICAN CITIZENSAS
UNFRIENDLY, SAYS NOTE
Wilson Takes Firm Stand;
The Last Word to Germany

essential or fundamental right of its people
because of a mere alteration of circumstance.
The rights of neutrals in time of war are
based upon principle, not upon expediency,
and the principles are immutable. 1t is the
duty and obligation of belligerents to find
way to adapt the new circumstances to them.
The events CT the past two months have
clearly indicated that it is possible and prac-
ticable TO conduct such submarine operations
as have characterized the activity OF the I'm
peral German navy within the so-called war
zone in substantial accord with the accepted
practices Of regulated warfare.
The whole world has looked with interest
and increasing satisfaction at the demonstra-
ton OF that possibility by German naval COM
manders. 1t is manifesty possible, therefore,
to lift the whole practice of submarine attack
above the criticism which it has aroused and
remove the chief causes of offense.
In view of the admission of illegatyomade
by the Imperial Government when it pleaded
the right of retaliation in defense of it's acts,
and in view of the manifest possibility of con-
forming to the established rules of naval war
fare, the Government of the United States can
not believe that the Imperial Government will
longer refrain from disavowing the wanton
act Of its naval commander in sinking the
Lusitania or from Offering reparation for the
American lives lost, so far as reparaton can
be made for needless destruction of human
life by an illegal act.
The Government of the United States, while
not Indifferent to the friendly spirit in which
1t Is made, cannot accept the suggestion of
the Imperial German Government that certain
vessels be designated and agreed upon which
shall be free on the seas now illegally pro-
scribed.
The very agreement would, by implication,
subject other vessels to illegal attack and
would be curtament and therefore an aban-
donment of the principles for which this Gov.
ernment contends and which in times of calmer
counsels every nation would concede as of
course.
The Government Of the United States and
the Imperial German Government are contend.
ing for the same great object, have long stood
together in urging the very principles upon
which the Government of the United States
now so solemnly insists They are both con.
tending for the freedom of the seas The
Government of the United States will continue
m for hot
quarter violated without compromise and at
any cost. 1t invites the practical cooperation
OF the Imperial German Government at this
time when cooperation may accomplish most
ingly and effectively achieved.
The Imperial German Government ex
presses the hope that this object may be in
some measure accomplished even before the
present war ends 1t be. The Govern.
ment of the United States not only feels OBJ
liged to insist upon it, by whomsoever vio.
lated or ignored in the protection of its own
citizens, but is also deeply interested in see
ing IL made practicable between the belliger
ents themselves and holds itself ready at anv
time to act as the common friend who NAV
be privileged to suggest way.
In the meantime the very value which this
Government sets upon the long and unbroken
friendship between the people and Government
Of the United States and the people and Gov.
ernment Of the German National mpels Il TO
press very soemnly upon the Imperial German
Government the necessity for a scrupulous
observance Of neutral rights in this critical
matter.
Friendship itself prompts II 10 say TO the
Imperial Government that repetition by the
commanders of German naval vessels OF acts
in contravention Of those rights must be re-
regarded by the Government Of the United
States. when they affect American citizens. as
deliberately unfriendly.