Fair play., 1915-05-22

"Depar ment of State, Washington
May 1S, s15-The Secretary OF State
to the Al lerican Ambassador at Ber
lin:
please call on the minister of for
sign affairs and after reading to him
this communication leave with him q
copy:
In view of recent acts of the Ger.
man authorities in violation Of Ameri
can rights on the high seas, which cul-
minated in the torpedoing and sink
ing of the British steamship Lusitanla,
on May Z, 1916, by which over 100
American citizens lost their lives, II
is clearly wise and desirable that the
government OF the United States and
the Imperial German government
should come to clear and full un-
derstanding as to the grave situation
which has resulted
THE sinking Of the British passen-
ger steamer Falaba by German sub
marine on March 28. through which
Leon C. Thresher, an American citi-
zen, was drowned; the attack on April
% on the American vessel Cushing
by a German aeroplane; the torpe-
doing on May of the American YES
sci Gulflight by German submarine,
as a result of which two or more
American citizens met their death,
and, anally, the torpedoing and sink.
ing Of the steamship Lusitania, con-
q M IN ,ryhta kn
government Of the United States has
observed with growing concern, dis
tress and amazement.
loath to Believe Government Sane
toned Attacks.
Recalling the humane and enlight.
ened attitude hitherto assumed by the
Imperial German government in mat.
ters of international right and partic-
ularly with regard to the freedom
Of the seas; having learned to recog-
nize the German views and the Ger
man influence in the field OF inter-
national obligation as always engaged
upon the side of justice and human
ity; and having understood the in
structtoDs of the Imperial German
government to its naval commanders
to be upon the same plane of humane
action prescribed by the naval codes
OF other nations, the government of
the United States was loath to believe
1t cannot now bring itself to believe
that these acts, so absolutely con-
trary to the rules, the practices and
the spirit of modern warfare, could
have countenance or sanction Of that
great government. II feels it to be
its duty. therefore, to address the
imperial German government concern
Ing them with the utmost frankness
and in the earnest hope that it is not
mistaken in expecting action on the |
part OF the Imperial German govern |
ment which will correct the unfortu. |
nate impressions which have been |
created and vindicate once more the |
position Of that government with re- |
gard to the sacred freedom of the |
seas.
German Government Previously
Warned.
The government of the United |!
states has been apprised that the I'M
)erial German government considered |
themselves to be obliged by the ex-
raordinary circumstances of the pres
mt war and the measures adopted by
heir adversaries In seeking to cut
iermany off from all commerce to
Idopt methods of retaliation, which go
much beyond the ordinary methods
T. AZ in, hA
# war zone from which they have
warned neutral ships to keep away
This government has already taken
occasion to inform the Imperial Ger
nan government that 1t cannot admit
he adoption of such measures or such
warning of danger to operate as in
ny degree an abbreyiation of the
lights of American shipmasters OF Of
american citizens bound on lawful er.
ands as passengers on merchant
hips of helligerent nationality; and
hat it must hold the Imperial Ger
lan government to a strict account.
bility for any infringemelts of those
tights, intentional or accidental II
oes not understand the Imperial Ger
IAN government to question those
lights. 1t assumes, on the contrary,
hat the Imperial German government
ccept as of course the rule that the
YES Of the noncOmbatants, whether
hey be of neutral citizenship or citi.
ems OF one OF the nations at war.
lnnot lawfully or rightfully be put
jeopardy by the capture or de. (
~-~~~~~N~~~N~I~>~~~-~-c
Thsre's Room at the Top.
he entered the barber shop, sat him
,lf down, resigned TO his fate.
The barber shaved him
Shampoo, sir?" asked the tonsor. /
list
NO." replied the man, gazing at
Is balm dome IN the reflective mir. /
II; shine '-Ph Philadelphia Ledger. (
The, One Fsuit
thought her ieaturea perfect,