Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-26
Note TO Germany
Badly Recctued
Newspapers Take Very Unfapor-
able Vicw---Profess toScc
Pro-British Influence.

BERLIN, July 25 Overseas News
Agency dispatch by wireless teleg-
raphy to Sayville).-The latest Amer.
lean note to Germany concerning sub
marine warfare was received most un-
iaVorably by the German newspapers
In which 1T was printed or Sunday
| morning.
The Vossische Zeitung, in lengthy
editorial, SAYS:
The refusal to accept Germany's
practical proposal to protect American
passengers shows an absolute lack of
readiness to understand the German
standpoint. The principle that belliger-
eht states must protect neutrals is un-
t"nable If applied in the fullest sense
as 1t would mean abdication to neutral
states. 1t is true that bclliyerents
must respect neutral rights. but only
provided neutrals do everything TO
prevent their citizens getting into
situations where protection Is impos-
siblc.
Victory over the enemy is the SUI
preme law for every belliserent. Those
who render more difficult this task
than does international law. support
the enemy. The war on land has shown
clearly that restrictions are necessary
\ person who remains within a be
leagured fortress or walks into n gun
fire zone risks his life without the
government
The same also is true Of naval war
fare. in spite OF the mistaken phrase
freedom Of the seas 1t is granted
that the ocean is free for peaceful
travel. but naval battles also take
place on it, Neutral ships sailing be-
tween aShting battleships run the
risk OF being hit by shells and also Of
being struck by mines. Tho subma :
rine's only instruments arc the firing
of torpcdocs.
Those who demand that Germany
should conduct the war according to
rules laid down by some academic pro-
fcssor. expect Germany either 10 en-
danger her submarines or TO give up
this warfare. which means the weak
cning OF Germany in the interest OF
her enemy. This is not neutrality. but
part!sanship against Germany.
I'VE know to-day that the passen-
gers tof the Lusitania) could have
been saved. but that they were ne
but she has a clean conscience and has
no reason to disapprove OF the conduct
of her submarine commanders.
president Wilson considers the fur
Their torpedoinE OF British warships
carrying American passengers n de-
liberately unfriendly act. While Ger
many always Is glad to respect Amer1
can friendship she has conceded every
thing that can be cor srded. One bit
more would be considered humiliating
by Germany, whose armies have been
victorious upon all the battlcfclds in
the east and in the west
The Tagliche Rundschau and the
krcuz Le!tunG similarly declare that
the American note calls for the most
decided opposition, and that II requires
Great Britain TO show at least an equal
respect for the spirit or international
"A de
Germany
The TaGeblatt says:
The note shows clearly that tho
American government cares more FOR
tho crippling OF our submarine war
than for the safeguarding OF American
lives. The United States must realize
that TO change our submarines war
fare is out of the question. The note
proves that pro- British influence has
gained an upper hand in President Will
sons circle. We hope the common
sense of the American people will pre-
vent citizens from serving as protec-
ton for English munition ships"
Tho Tagcs ZcitunG writes:
Neutrals have rights but no also has
a great nation fighting for It's life
Though maintaining submarine war
fare. Germany always is willing TO re-
spect the justihable wishes OF Ameri-
cans but not at any price"
Count Ernest Won Reventlow. in this
TaGes Zeitung. declares that the con-
tents and wording far exceed even the
most upfavorablo anticipations. Count
Reventlow writes
The note uses language which will
find no response with the overwhelm-
ing majority of dhe German nation,
since II means in the last analysis an
appeal to fear, threatening. domi-
neering demand. The note will make
conceivably bad impression among
the people, since il lacks utterly the
friendly frankness OF the German note,
and breathes almost hateful disregard
OF tho German governments stand
point"