The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-07-16
OFFICIALS AT WASHINGTON
VIEW REPLYAS INADEQUATE
Believe Germany Disclaimed Liability
For the Loss of Americans IN the
Lusitania Tragedy and Has Lightly
Passed Over the Chief Principles,

Passed Over the Cher PrIncipIes'
Washington. 49, Arrival Of the press
translation Of the German note con-
firmed impressions that Germany
would refuse to give the assurances
asked by the United States that the
lives of Americans travelling the high
seas on unarmed ships of any nation
atty be not endangered.
The apparent restriction placed ny
Germany on the use of American pas
senger ships which are to be given
complete immunity from interference
only IL they do not carry cOntraband,
is regarded as adding another to the
many issues which have arisen over
submarine warfare. 1t is belleVed
Germany disclaimed liability for the
loss of Americans in the Lusltanla
tragedy and has lightly passed over
the chief principle for which the Unit
ed States announced that it would
omit mo word or act"
The general feeling that the reply
is unsatisfactory and will bring to
crisis the friendly relations that have
existed between the United States
and Germany developed more strong
ly among officials as news Of the con-
tents Of the note spread.
The course Of the United States is
problematical, Many officials who are
familiar with Germanys proposals as
outlined by Ambassador Gerard, favor
an emphatic assertion by the Ameri-
can government that it intends to eX-
ercise it's rights under international
law, placing upon Germany the re-
sponsibility for any violation that
may cause a breach of friendly relS-
tons
Following is the press translation Of
the German reply to the American
note concerning submarine warfare:
Berlin.-"The undersigned has the
honor to make the following re-
ply to his excellenev saAAos d1oxvz
dor Gerard - g e 3 lslA.
timo, regarding "'ue, made in America,
American interests by the GsfTft4t!es.
submarine war. The imperial govern
ment learned with satisfaction from
the note how earnestly the govern.
ment of the United States is concern
ed in seeing the principles of human
ity realized in the present war. Also
this appeal finds ready echo in Ger,
many and the imperial government is
quite willing to permit it's statements
and decisions in the present case to
be governed by the principls of hui
manity just as it has done always.
Humanity Always.
1.-THE imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
government in the note of May Is it
self recalled that Germany had al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and hui
mainly in dealing with the law o.
maritime war. Since the time whel
Frederick the Great negotiated witt
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin ant
Thomas Jefferson, the treaty of friend
ship and commerce of September 9
1885, between Prussia and the repuh
lie OF the West, German and Amerl
can statesmen have in fact always
stood together in the struggle for thu
freedom Of the seas and for the pro
lection Of peaceable trade. In the in
ternational proceedings which hav,
since been conducted for the regula
ton of the laws Of maritime war
Germany and America have jointly ad
vocated progressive principles, espe
cially the adjustment of the right o
capture at sea and the protection O
the interests of neutrals.
Germany Willing to Restrictions.
Even at the beginning of the pres
ent war the German government i'm
mediately declared its willingness il
response to proposals of the Ameri
can government to ratify the DECLARE
ton of London ana thereby subject ii
self in the use OF its naval forces t,
all the restrictions provided therei,
in favor of neutrals. Germany like
wise has been always tenacious of tn
principle that war should be conduct
ed against the armed and organize.
forces of an enemy country, but tina
the enemy civilian population must b.
spared as far as possible from tn
measures, of war. The imperial gov
eminent cherishes the definite hon
that some way will be found whe,
INDEPENDENCE ON THE FARM.