The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-10


assures the congressman that his sacri-
fee IN the interest OF the people Of the
district acccntuates the feeling OF loss
over Mr.. kiess' declination.
.--S---~----~----~--~--~---
tania had caused the crew and pass.
engers TO take 70 the boats before m
ing torpedo this would have meant
the sure destruction Of his own vessel
After the experiences In sinking much
smaller and less seaworthy vessels
II was 10 be expected that a mighty
ship ligh the Lusitania would remain
above water long enough even after
the torpedoing to permit passengers to
enter the ships boats Circumstances
OF a very peculiar kind. especially the
presence on board OF large quantities
OF highly explosive materials (word
omitted. possibly 'dissipatedD this ex-
pectation. In addition IL may be
pointed out that n the Lusitania had
been spared thousands OF cases OF mu-
nitions would have been sent to Ger
many's enemies and thereby thous-
ands OF German mothers and child.
rem robbed OF breadwinners.
In the spirit OF friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the Union and IT'S IN
habitants since the earliest DAYS OF
its existence. the imperial government
will always be ready TO do an IL can
during the present war also 20 pre-
vent the ieopardizing OF lives OF
American citizens. Tho imperial gov
eminent. therefore repeats the assur-
ances that American ships will not be
hindered in the prosecution of legitl
At ah faar nd hn Or
can citizens in neutral vessels shah
not be placed in jeopardy
Permit Safe Passage.
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers TO American passenger
steamer. made possible in view OF the
conduct OF maritime war by Germany q
adversaries. German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free ana
safe passage OF such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable BY spe-
cial markings end notified a reason
able time in advance. The imperial
gomernment. however. confidently
hopes that the American government
will assume TO guarantee that these
vessels have no contraband on board,
details OF arrangement for the un-
hampered passage OF these vessels 10
he agreed upon by the naval authori-
ties of both sides.
In order 10 furnish adequate facili
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens. the German gov
eminent submits for consideration a
proposal to increase the number OF
available steamers by installing In
passenger service reasonable mum.
Der OF neutral steamers under the
American flag. the exact number to
he agreed upon under the same condi.
ton as the above mentioned steam
ers.
The imperial government believes
II can assume that in this manner ad-
equate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri-
can citizens. There would. therefore.
appear TO be no compelling necessity
for American citizens to travel TO Eu-
rope IN time OF war in ships carrying
an enemy flag. In particular. the i'm
perial government Is unable 10 admit
that American citizens can protect an
enemy ship through the mere fact OF
their presence on board
Followed British Example.
Germany merely followed Eng.
lands example when she declared part
OF the nigh sea an area OF war Con
sequently. accidents suffered by neu-
trails on enemy ships In this area of
war cannot well be judged differently
from accidents to which neutrals are
at all times exposed az the seat OF war
on land when they betake themselves
into dangerous localities in spite Of
previous warnings II. however. 10
should not be possible for the Er1er-
lean government to require an ade.
quate number OF neutral passenger
ships. the imperial government Is pre-
pared to interpOse no objections to
the placing under the American flag
by the American government by four
enemy passenger steamers for passen-
ger traffic between North America and
England Assurances Of free and safe
passage for American passenger
steamers would extend 10 apply under
the Identical pro-conditions 20 these
formerly hostile passenger steamers.
The President OF the United States
has declared his readiness in way
deserving Of thanks. To- communicate
and suggest proposals 10 the govern
ment Of Great Britain with particular
reference 90 the alteration OF maritime
war The imperial government will al
ways BE- glad 20 make use OF tho good
offices 81 the President and hopes that
his efforts I'm the present case. az well
as In the direction Of the lofty ideal ~