The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-24
germany CLAIMS
j. 5. IS LIABLE
Answer to Wilson Note on Lu-
sitania Question Coming
This Week.
TONE WILL BE FRIENDLY
Contention Will Be Raised that We
Aid Allies by Munitions on
Passenger Ships.

Germanys reply to the United
the week. State Department officials
will he surprised il it is not couched
in friendly terms. but at the same time
they expect it to raise some difficult
diplomatic questions.
From advices which have been re-
ceived il is now understood that Ger
many will endeavor to place upon the
United States indirect responsibility
for the extent of Germanys submarine
warfare and the complained of con-
sequences.
"Forced Lusitania Sinking"
An attempt will be made to show
that the sinking of the Lusitania was.
in a way. forced upon Germany by
what Germany will claim is the I'M
fair operation of American neutrality.
The German argument, according to
information obtained from wellin-
formed sources, will be this:
Germany will grant that the United
States has a right under international
law to sell munitions of war to such
belligerents as are in position to
buy
But Germany will contend that when
she was unable to contract for the de-
livery of munitions to German ports 1t
was unfriendly on the part of the United
States not to be satisfied with furnishing
munitions to Germanys enemies up to
the normal capacity of the arms and
munitions industries of the United States,
but to run these industries night and
day and even build upon extensive new
industries.
Great Britain had a right to draw on the
United States for arms and ammunition.
Germany also had right to draw on the
United States for foodstuffs and under
international law was entitled to receive
them at every German port around which
a blockade had not been established by
Germany's enemies. The right of the
United States to ship foodstuffs to Ger
many and the right of Germany to have
them delivered where no effective block
ade had been esta blished in accordance
with the precepts of international law,
Germany will contend. has been inter-
fered with and practically nullified by
the action of Great Britain in closing the
North Sea to neutral commerce by
blockade of the English Channel
U. =. Sent Protest.
1t will be pointed out that the United
StdteS prctcSteu against tnlS unlawful
course of Great Britain. but has been
powerless to have its protest needed.
As Germany was not in a position
to enforce it's rights with regard to
the shipment of foodstuffs from the
United States to Germany. and as the
United States did not enforce its right
to make and deliver such shipments.
the German note will argue that Ger
many was justified in taking what
ever means she could command to en-
force her rights. She will plead the
law of self-defense and argue that
the United States is partially respon-
sible for the harm that has come to
neutrals by failing to maintain neu-
trail rights as against the arbitrary
action of Great Britain and thereby
permitting a condition which threat
ened death by starvation to a large
part of the civil population of Ger
many.
Another contention which, il Is I'M
derstood. Germany certainly will make
is that the United States should not
permit the shipment Of munitions of
war from the United States on pas
senger vessels. especially the pas
senger vessels Of a belligerent and to
permit American citizens to go aboard
such vessels. Germany will contend
that such action on the part of this
country is merely permitting Ameri-
can citizens to serve as a shield for
the shipment of death-dealing con-
These are the contentious which de-
partment offcials are now preparing
to meet in anticipation of their be-
Ing made in the German note.