Marble Hill press. (Marbel [sic] Hill, Mo.) 1881-1923, 1915-07-15

ecution Of legitimate shipping. and
the lives of American citizens In neu-
trail vessels shall not be placed In
jeopardy.
Willing to Pass Certified Ships.
In order TO exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers. made possible in view OF the con-
duet OF maritime war by Germany's
adyersarles, German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage OF such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by spe-
cial markings and notified . reason.
able time In advance.
The Imperial Government, however.
confidently hopes that the American
Government will assume to guarantee
that these vessels have no contra.
band on board, details OF arrange
ments for the unhampered passage OF
these vessels to be agreed upon by
the naval authorities OF both sides.
In order 10 furnish adequate facili-
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German Govern
ment submits for consideration a pro-
posal 10 increase the number OF avail
able steamers by installing in passen-
ger service A reasonable number of
neutral steamers under the American
flag the exact number 10 be agreed
upon under the same condition as the
aforementioned American steamers.
Need Not Travel on Beili9erent Ships
The Imperial Government believes
II can assure that IN this manner
adequate facilities for travel across
the Atlantic Ocean can be afforded
American citizens There would there
fore appear TO be no compelling ne.
ceasity for American citizens TO travel
To Europe In time of war on ships
carrying an enemy flag In particu.
lar, the Imperial Governmen, Ia I'M
able TO admit that American citizens
can protect an enemy ship through
the mere fact oi their presence on
board
Germany merely followed Ensiand's
example when she declared part OF
the high SEA an area Of war. CSn.
sequently. accidents suffered by neu.
trails on enemy ships In this area Of
war cannot well be judged differently
from accidents 10 which neutrals are
al all times exposed nj the seat Of
war on land when they take them.
selves into dangerIls localities Ia
spite Of previous warnings,
Would Let w. S. Use Four Vessels.
II. however. II should not be pos.
sibie for thu American Government
10 secure an adequate number OF
neutral passenger steamers. the I'm.
pertal Government is prepared 10 in
terpnae no objections TO the placing
under the American flag by the Am
rriran Government ot four enemy pas
sengor steamers for passenger traffic
hetseon North America and England
Assurances n free and safe" pas.
sage for American passenger steamers
would extend to apply under the iden.
Teal procoudttions TO these formerly
aostlla Passenger steamers
The President OF the United States
has declared hts readiness In a way
deserving OF thanks. to communicate
and suggest proposals 20 the Gov.
eminent Of Great Britain with par.
Ilcular reference 20 the alteration o,
war,
The Imperial Government will al
" ays be glad TO make use Of the good
offices ot the President, and hopes
>aa his efforts in the present case,
as well as IN the dlrec ton OF the
ofty ideal uf the freedom OF the sea.
a III lead TO an understanding
The undersigned requests the Am
bAssador 10 bring the above 10 the
OF the American Govern
nent and ayails himself OF the or
aort unity 10 renew to his ExCellency
he assurance Of his most distinguish.
a consideration.
(Slguedl Won JAGOW.