The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-05-28
AMERICAN NOTE TO
GERMAN GOVERNMENT
u. S. NOTE DEMANDS GUARANTEE
THAT NO FURTHER ATTACKS
BE MADE BY. SUBMARINES.
LOSS OF AMERICAN LIVES
Note Informs German Government
That the Sinking Of Lusltania is
Considered Violation of Amer
lean Rights In Sea War Zone

Washington.-The United States, IN
q note sent to Germany Thursday, de-
mands a guarantee that there will be
40 further attacks by submarines on
merchant ships carrying noncombat-
ants. 1t serves notice also that full
PREPARATION will be sought for the loss
of more than one hundred American
lives in the sinking of the Lusitania
and for other violations Of American
rights in the sea zones Of war.
While no indication is given Of the
steps to be taken by the United States
in the event of an unfavorable reply,
the note informs the German govern
ment that the American government
will leave nothing undOne, either in
diplomatic representations or other
action, to obtain a compliance with its
request.
The principal points in the note
substantially are as follows;
/. The United States government
calls attention to the various Incl.
dents in the war zone proclaimed by
Germany around the British Isles;
the sinking Of the British liner Falaba
with the loss of Leon G. Thresher, an
American; the attack by German air.
men on the steamer Cushing; theator.
pedoing without warning of the Amer.
lean steamer Gulflight, flying the stars
and stripes; and finally the torpedo
ing without warning Of the Lusitania
with it's loss of more than thousand
lives of noncombatants, among them
more than one hundred Americans.
2. These acts are declared to be
indefensible under international law.
The United States points out that ii
never admitted Germany's right to do
them and warned the imperial gov.
eminent that it would be Leld to
"strict accountability" for attacks on
American vessels or lives. A strict
accounting therefore Is now asked
from Germany.
5. The usual financial reparation
will be sought, although Germany is
in effect reminded that no reparation
can restore the lives Of those sacri.
feed in the sinking of the Lusitania
and other ships.
4. Expressions Of regret may COM
ply with the legal precedents, but they
are Valueless unless accompanied by
a cessation Of the practices endanger-
ing lives of noncombatants.
5. The right of neutrals to travel
to any point of the high seas on neu-
trail or belligerent merchantmen is as
serted.
6. In the name of humanity and in
ternational law the United States de-
mands a guarantee that these rights
will be respected and that there be
no repetition of the attacks on mer-
chantmen carrying noncombatants.
Z. The giving of warning to the
American public without officially
communicating them to the United
States government is commented on
in connection with the German en-
bassy's printed advertisements before
the sailing of the Lusitania, but ire
spective of the failure to advise to the
American government of Germany's
purpose, the point is made that no.
tice of an intention to do an unlawful
act neither justifies nor legalizes it.
8. The suggestion is conveyed that
| the German government Of course
could not have intended to destroy In
nocent lives and that consequently
the German submarine commanders
must have misunderstood their in
| structions The American government
indicates its hope that this will be
found to be true and a cessation Of the
unlawful practices thereby will result.
8. In conclusion Germany's atten-
ton Is called to the earnestness of the
government and people of the United
States in this situation. 1t is made
plain that the United States will leave
nothing undone either in diplomatic
representation or other action to OBJ
tain compliance by Germany to the
request made.
The note throughout is couched in
friendly tones, but Is Enthusiastically
firm.