Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-30

terized the activity Of the imperial
German navy within the so-called war
zone in substantial accord with the
accepted practices OF regulated war
fare. The whole world has looked
with interest and increasing satisfac.
ton at the demonstration of that DOS
sibility by German naval command.
ers It is manifestly possible, there
fore, to- lift the whole practice of sub.
marine attack above the criticism
which 1t has aroused and remove the
chief causes of offense.
In view OF the admission of illegality
made by the imperial government
when it pleaded the right of retalia-
ton in defense of its acts. and in view
of the manifest possibility Of conform.
ing to the established rules of naval
warfare. the government of the Unit
ed States cannot believe that the i'm.
perial government will longer refrain
from disavowing the wanton act of lisa
naval commander In sinking the LUST
tania or from offering reparation for
the American lives lost, so far as repa-
ration can be made for g needless de-
struction of human life by an illegal
act.
Suggestion Not Accepted.
The government of the United
States, while not Indifferent to the
friendly spirit in which 1t Is made.
cannot accept the suggestion of the
| imperial government that certain yes
sells be designated and agreed upon
which shall be free on the seas now
i Illegally prescribed. The very agree
ment would, by implication, subject
other vessels to illegal attack, and
would be a curtailment and therefore
an abandonment OF the principles for
which this government contends, and
which In times of calmer counsels
every nation would concede as of
| course.
The government of the United
/ States and the imperial Germon gov
eminent, contending for the same
great object, have long stood together
in urging the very principles upon
which the government of the United
States now so solemnly insists. They
are both contending for the freedom
of the seas. The goverDment of the
United States will continue to contend
for that freedom, from whatever quar-
ter violated, without compromise and
at any cost. 1t invites the practical
cooperation Of the imperial German
government at this time when coop
Grafton may accomplish most, and this
great common object be most strik.
ingly and effectively achieved.
Can BE Accomplished.
The imperial German government
expresses the hope that this object
may be in some measure accomplish
ed even before the present war ends.
1t can be. The government of the
United States not oply feels obliged
to insist upon it, by whomsoever VIC
lated or ignored, and in the protec-
ton of its own citizens, but is also
deeply interested in seeing it made
practicable between the belligerents
themselves, and holds itself ready at
any time to act as the common friend
who may be privileged to suggest a
way.
In the meantime the very value
which this government sets upon the
long and unbroken friendship between
the people and government Of the
United States and the people and gov
eminent of the German nation impels
1t to press very solemnly upon the
imperial German government the
necessity for a scrupulous observance
Of neutral rights in this critical mat
ter. Friendship itself prompts it to
say to the imperial German govern.
ment that repetition by commanders
of the German naval vessels of acts In
contravention Of those rights must be
regarded by the government or the
United States, when they affect Amer
lean citizens, as deliberately un-
friendly.
(Stgned) LANSING.