Omaha daily bee., 1915-07-11

therefor and neutrals who use mer-
chantmon as travellers thereby have been
exposed in an increasing degree 20 the
dangers OF war.
'Tf the commander OF the German sub
marine which destroyed the Busitania had
caused the crew and passengers 20 take
10 the boats before firing a torpedo, this
would have meant the sure destruction
OF HIS own vessel. After the experiences
In sinking smaller and less seaworthy
vessels II was 10 be expected that a
mighty ship like the Lusitania would re-
main above water long enough even after
the torpedoing to permit passengers to
enter the ships boats. Circumstances OF
very peculiar kind, especially the pres
ence on board OF large quantities OF
highly explosive materials defeated thus
expectation. In addition Il may be pointed
out that II the Lusitania had been spared
thousands OF cases OF munitions would
have been sent TO Germany's enemies and
thereby thousands OF German mothers
and children robbed OF breadwinners.
Repeats Assurances.
'In the spirit OF friendship wherewith
the German nation has been imbued to-
wards the union and It's inhabitants since
the earliest days of It's existence. the i'm
perial government will always be ready to
do all e. can during the present war also
to prevent the jeopardiKing OF lives Of
American citizens. The imperial govern
ment, therefore. repeats the assurances
that American ships will not be hindered
a. -.
and the lives of American citizens In neu-
trail vessels shall not be placed In Jeo-
pardy.
In order to exclude any unforeseen dan
gers to American passenger steamers
made possible In view OF the conduct of
maritime war by Germany's adversaries,
German submarines Will be instructed TO
permit the free and safe passage OF such
passenger steamers when made recognize
BILE by special markings and notified a
reasonable time in advance. The i'm
perial government. however, confidently
hopes that the American government will
assume to guarantee that these vessels
have no contraband on board. details Of
Arrangement for the unhampered passage
OF these vessels to be agreed upon by the
nANuA htNAViANANa VI UNtH Hfnf1s
I'm order to furnish adequate facilities
for travel across the Atlantic for Ameri-
can citizens. the German government
submits for consideration proposal TO
announce the number OF available steam
ers by installing service. a reasonable
number of steamers under the American
flag. the exact number to be agreed upon
the same conditions as the above men,
toned American steamers.
Can Travel Under u. y. Flag.
The imperial government believes It
can assume that In this manner adequate
steamers for travel across the Atlantic
ocean can be afforded American citizens.
There would appear. therefore. 70 be no
necessity for American citizens to travel
to Europe in time Of war on ships carry
Ing an enemy FLAG. In particular the i'm
perial government is unable 20 admit that
American citizens can protect an enemy
ship through the mere fact OF their pres
ence on board.
Germany merely followed Engiand's
example when Il declared part OF the
high sea an area OF war. Consequently
accidents suffered by nsutrals on enemy
ships in this area OF war cannot well be
judged differently from accidents 10
which neutrals are at all times exposed
at the seat OF war on land when they
betake themselves into dangerous locali-
ties In spite OF previous warnings.
''If. however. II should not be possible
for the American government to prepare
an adequate number OF neutral passen-
ger steamers. the imperial government Is
prepared to interpose no objections to the
placing under the American flag by the
American government of four enemy
passenger steamers for passenger traffic
between North America and England
Assurances OF free and safe passage for
American passenger steamers would ex-
tend 20 apply under the Identical pro-
conditions to these formerly hostile pas
senser, steamers.
''The president OF the United States has
declared his readiness In way deserv-
Ing OF thanks to communicate and sug.
gest proposals to the government OF
Great Britain with particular reference
70 the alteration Of marine war. The I'm
perial government will always be glad 10
make use OF the good offices OF the presl-
dent and hopes that his efforts in the
present as we'll as In the direction
OF the lofty ideal OF the freedom OF the
seas. will lead 20 an understanding. The
undersigned requests the ambassador TO
bring tho above to tho knowledge OF the
American government and avails himself
OF the opportunity to renew 70 his ex
oellenoy the assurances OF his most dis
tinguished consideration.
(signed.) WON JAGow."