Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-24

and practice of the government oil
Great Britain 10 be in the present war
with regard to neutral commerce.
The imperial German government
will readily understand that the gov
crnment OF the United states cannc,
discuss the policy of the government
OF Great Britain with regard TO ncu-
trail trade except with that government
itself, and that il must regard tho con-
duet of other bclliEcrcnt governments
Ss irrelevant TO any discussion with
:hc imperial German government OF
what this government regards as grave
and unjuStifahle violations OF the
rights Of American citizens by German
naval commanders. Illegal and in
human acts. however unsuitable they
may he thought TO bc against an elriny
who is believed 10 have acted III con-
travention OF law and humanity. are
uranifestly ;ndefensibl, when ;hey de-
rrive ueutrals OF their acknowledged
rights. particularly when they violate
The right To life itself II a heiligereut
cannot -eialiaie against an enemy
without injurins the lives OF neuiral&.
a. Wei, IS their property, humanity. as
we'll as justice. and = due regard for
the dignity OF neutral powers. should
dictate that the practice he d!scon
tinued. II persisted in. u would. III
such circumstances. constitute an un-
pardoNahlc ofcnSc against the SOW
oroiCnty OF the neutral nation affected.
The government OF tho United States
il not unmindful OF the extraordinary
conditions created by this war. OF the
radical alterations Of circumstance and
method OF attack produced by the use
Of Observation-Disclosures OF naval warfare
which the nations of the world cannot
have had i'm view when the existing
rules OF international law were fornlu-
lated, and i; is ready TO make every
reasonable allowance for these novel
aud unexpected aspects OF war At sea:
hut II cannot consent to ahatc any
essential or fundamental right of its
people because of Il mere alteration
of circumstances The rights of neu-
trails in time of war arc based upon
principles, not upon cXpcdicnCy. and
the principles are immutable. II is the
duty and obligation Of belliScrcnts to
fiud way 10 adapt tho new circum-
stances to them.
POSSIBLE TO REMOVE:
CAUSES OF OFFENSE.
The events Of the past two months
have clearly indicated that it is pos
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char
acterized the activity of the imperial
German navy Within the so-called war
zonc in substantial accord with the ac-
ccpted practices of regulated warfare.
The whole world has looked with in
,crost and increasing satisfaction at
the demonstration of that possibility
10y German naval commanders. II is
manifestly possible. therefore. TO lift
the whole practice of submarine attack
above the criticism which il has
aroused and remove the chief causes
Of otfense.
In view OF the admission of illegal
ity made by the imperial government
when it pleaded the right Of retaliation
in defense OF its acts. and in view of
the manifest possibility OF conforming
10 the established rules OF naval war
fare. the government OF the United
states cannot believe that the imperial
government Will longer refrain from
6is.NowinC the wantou act OF its naval
commander in sinking the Lusitania, or
from Offering PREPARATION for the Amer
lean lives lost. so far as "epa ration can
he made for a needless destruction of
human life By an illegal act.
The government Of tho United
States. while not indifferent u the
friendly spirit in which il is made.
cannot accept the suggestion of the
imperial German government that Ger
tain vessels designated and agreed
upon which shall he free on the seas
ON illegally prescribed The very
agreement would. by implication. sub
ject other vessels 10 illegal attack. and
would nc a curtailmen,. and therefore.
an abandonment. of the principles for
which this government contends and
which in times OF calmcr counscls
every nation would conccdc as of
course.
The government, OF tho United
States and the imperial German gov
eminent arc conIcndine for :hc same
great object, have long stood together
IN urging the .Lery principles upon
which tho SoL"rEMent OF tho United
states now so solcmrly insists They.
arc both contondng for the freedom Of
the seas. The government of the
United states will continue 10 contend
for that freedom. from whatever quar-
ter violated. withcu, compromise and
a; amy cost. 1; invites tho practical
CO. operation of tho imroria German
government at this time, when CO.
"p"ration may accomplish most, and
this great common objcc, bc tho most
*trikingly and effectively achieved
ANXIOUS TO ACT As
COMMON FRIEND
Trio imperial German government
expresses the hope that this object
may T." IN some measure accomplished
even h"f"rc tho present war ends. Il
cen he Tho government of lii.
Unite! states not only feels obliged 10
insist upon II. hN whomsocvcr violated
or '&norcd. in the protection Of its own
cutters. hut is also deeply interested
~ seeing 1t made practicablo between
the h"tlisercnts themselves. and holds
itself ready Il any time to az, as The
common friend who may be privileged
10 suggest = way
I'm the meantime. the very value
which this government sets upon The
i"nr ana unbrokem friendship between
AZ ii