The Washington times., 1915-07-11

Inhabitants since the earliest days
OF It's existence. the imperial gov
eminent will always be ready to do
all II can. during the present war
also, TO prevent the jeopardizing Of
the lives OF American citizens.
The imperial government there
fore repeats the assurances that
American ships will not be hindered
In the prosecution OF legitimate shlp-
ping and the lives Of American citi-
zens on neutral vessels shall not be
placed In jeopardy.
seen dangers to American passenger
steamers made possible IN view OF
the conduct of maritime war on the
part Of Germany's adversaries the
German submarines will be in
structed to permit the free and safe
when made recognizable by special
markings and notified reasonable
time in advance. The imperial govern
ment, however. confidentally hopes
that the American Government viii
assume the guarantee that these
vessels have no contraband on board.
The details of the arrangements for
the unhampered passage OF these
vessels would have TO he agreed
upon by the naval authorities OF
both sides.
tiles for travel across the Atlantic
ocean for American citizens the
German government submits for
consideration to increase the numpc
of available steamers by installing IN
the passenger service a reasonable
number Of neutral steamers ,,,on tne
under the American flag under the
same conditions as the American
steamers above mentioned.
The imperial government believes
that II can assume that In this man.
ner adequate facilities for travel
forded American citizens. There
Would, therefore. appear to be no
compelling necessity for American
citizens to travel to Europe In time
of war on ships carrying an enemy
flag.
As To Munitions Ships.
In particular the imperial gov
eminent Is unable to admit that
American citizens can protect an
enemy ship through the mere fact OF
Il cir presence on board. Germany
merely followed England's example
when It declared part Of the high
seas an area Of war. Consequently
accidents suffered by neutrals on
enemy ships in this area Of war
cannot well be Judged differently
from accidents TO which neutrals
are at all times exposed at the scat
OF war on lond when they betaks
themselves into dangerous locali-
ties in spite OF previous warning.
II. however. II should not be pos
sible for the American Government
to acquire an adequate number OF
neutral passenger steamers, the i'm
perial government Is prepared 20 In
terpose no objections to the placing
under the American flag by the Amer
lean Government OF four enemy pas
senger steamers for the passenger
traffic between America and Eng
land. The assurances OF free and
safe" passage for American passeng-
cr steamers would then be extended
to apply under the Identical pre-
conditions to these formerly hostile
passenger ships.
The President of the United States
has declared his readiness. in a way
deserving OF thanks, to communicate
and suggest proposals to the gov
ernment Of Great Britain with par
ticular reference TO the alteration OF
maritime war. The imperial govern
ment Will always be glad to make
use Of the good Offices OF the Presi-
dent and hopes that his efforts in
the present case, as well as in the
direction Of the lofty ideal OF the
freedom Of the seas, will lead to an
understanding.
The undersigned requests the am
bassador to bring the above 10 the
knowledge OF the American govern
ment, and avails himself of the op.
portunity to renew to His Excellency
the assurance OF his most dis
Won JAGow.