Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-06-18

% nuAEnt Va NhhU OnAtBu othbHM UlU NOT
perform these duties with thorough
States sincerely hopes that Il will
submit that evidence for considera.
ton.
Arguments Irrelevant.
Whatever may be the contention OF
the imperial German government re-
garding the carriage of contraband OF
war on board the Lusitania or regard
ing the explosion of that material by
the torpedo, It need only be said that
IN the view of this government these
contentious are Irrelevant to the ques-
ton of the legality Of the methods
used by the German naval authorities
in sinking that vessel.
But the sinking of passenger ships
involves principles of humanity which
throw into the background any speciaA
circumstances of detail that may be
thought to affect the cases, principles
which lift IL, as the imperial govern
ment will no doubt be quick to recog-
nize and acknowledge, out of the class
of ordinary subjects OF diplomatic dis
cussion or of international contro-
versy.
whatever be the other facts re-
garding the Lusitania, the principal
fact Is that great steamer. primarily
and chiefly a conveyance for passen-
gers and carrying more than q thou.
sand souls who had no part or lot in
the conduct Of the war. was torpedoed
and sunk without so much as a chal-
lenge or a warning, and that men,
women and children we're sent to
their death in circumstances unparal-
leled In modern warfare. The fact
that more than one hundred Amer
lean citizens we're among those who
persisted make II the duty of the gov
eminent OF the United States to speak
of these things and once more, with
solemn emphasis, to call the attention
OF the imperial German government
to the grave responsibility which the
government of the United States con-
ceives that II has incurred in this
tragic occurrence, and to the indis-
putable principle upon which that re-
sponsibility rests.
1.-THE government OF the United
States is contending for something
much greater than mere rights of
property or privileges OF commerce.
II is contending for nothing less high
and sacred than the rights of human
ity, which every government honors
itself in respecting and which no gov
eminent is justified in resigning on
behalf of those under it's care and au-
thority. Only her actual resistance to
capture or refusal to stop when or.
dered to do so for the purpose of visit
could have afforded the commander
OF the submarine any justification
for 30 much as putting the lives of
those on board the ship in jeopardy.
This principle the government Of the
United States understands the explicit
instructions issued on August 3. 1914.
by the imperial German admiralty to
its commanders at sea to have recog-
nized and embodied, as do the naval
codes Of all other nations; and upon
II every traveller and seaman has a
right to depend. It is upon this prin
ciple of humanity as well as upon the
law founded upon, this principle that
the United States must stand.
Offer OF Services.
"The government of the United
States is happy to observe that your
note closes with the init
nation that the imperial German gov.
is willing, now as before. to
accept the good offices of the United
States In an attempt to come to an
with the government OF
Great Britain by which the character
sea may be changed. The government
Of the United States would consider
Il privilege thus to serve its friends
and the world. II stands really at any
time to convey to either government
{xxtf Ath
may be willing to haye IL convey and
invites the imperial German
government to make use OF its serv.
Ices In this way at its convenience.
The whole world is concerned In any.
hing that may bring about even par
Lial accommodation of interests or In
any way mitigate the terrors Of the
present distressing conflict.
"In the meantime, whatever ar.
may happily be made be-
tween the parties to the war. and
may in the opinion OF the
imperial German government have
been the provocation or the circum.
justification for the past acts
Of its commanders at sea. the govern.
nent of the United States confidently
ooks to see the justice and humanity
Of the government of Germany vindi
,ated in all cases where Americans
nave been wronged or their rights as
leutrals invaded
1.-THE government of the United
States therefore very earnestly and
very solemnly renews the representa-
lions OF its note transmitted to the
German government on the
18th of May, and relies in these rep
upon the principles of
the universally recognized
understandings of international law
and the ancient friendship of the Ger
nan nation.
Assertion Of Rights.
"The government of the United
States cannot admit that the procla-
nation of war zone from which
Neutral ships have been warned to
keep away may be made to operate as
N any degree an abbreviation OF the
rights either OF American shipmasters.
DR. OF American citizens bound on law.SY
'ul errands as passengers on merchant
ships OF belligerent nationality. 1t
ioes not understand the imperial Ger
man government to question those
rights. II understands II also to &C
M q fol