Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-05-20


tiles in violation of American rights on the high
seas, which eliminated in the torpedoing and
sinking of the British steamer Lusitania on
May Z. 1915, by which over 100 American citizens
lost their lives it is clearly wise and desirable
that the government of the United States and
the Imperial German government should come
to a clear and full understanding as to the
grave situation which has resulted.
The sinking of the British passenger steamer
Falaba by German submarine on March %,
through which Leon G. Thrasher, an American
citizen, was drowned; the attack on April % on
the American vessel Gushing by German sub
marine, as a result of which two or more Amer
lean citizens met their death, and finally the
torpedoing and sinking of the Lustania, consti-
tute series of events which the government OF
the United States has observed with growing
concern, distress and amaZement.
Recalling the humane and enlightened atti-
tude hitherto assumed by the Imperial German
government in matters of international right
and particularly with regard to the freedom of
the seas; having learned to recognize the Ger
man views and the German influence in the
field of international obligation as always en-
gagged upon the side of justice and humanity;
and having understood the instructions Of the
Imperial German government to it's naval COM
manders 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-it can not 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 the countenance
or sanction of that great government. 1t feels
it to be its duty, therefore, to address the Inn
perial German government concerning them
with utmost frankness and in the earnest hope
that is is not mistaken in expecting action on
the part of the Imperial German government
which will correct the unfortunate impressions
which have been created and vindicate once
more the position of that government with re-
gard to the sacred freedom of the seas.
The government of the United States has
been appraised that the Imperial German gov
eminent considered themselves to be obliged by
the extraordinary circumstances of the present
war and the measures adopted by their adver-
saries in seeking to cut Germany off from all
commerce to adopt methods of warfare at sea,
in the proclamation of war zone from which
they have warned neutral ships to keep away.
This government has already taken occasion to
it can not admit the adoption of such m; asur es
or such a warning of danger to operate as in
any degree an abbreviation of the rights Amer
lean shipmasters or Of American citizens bound
on lawful errands as passengers on merchant
ships of beligerent nationality; and that it
must hold the Imperial government to strict
accountability for any infringement of these
rights, intentional or incidental. It does not
understand the Imperial German government
to question those rights. It assumes, On the
contrary, that the Imperial government accept
as of course, the rule that the lives of noncom-
batants, whether they be of neutral citizenship
or citizens Of one of the nations at war, can not
lawfully or rightfully be put in jeopardy by the
capture or destruction of an unarmed mer-
chairman, and recognize also as all other ma
tions do, the obligation to take the usual pre-
caution of visit and search to ascertain whether
suspected merchantmen is in fact of belliger-
emf nationality or is in fact carrying contraband
of war under neutral flag.
The government of the United States, there
FORE desires to call the attention of the Imperial
German government with the utmost earnest
ness to the fact that the objection to their
present method of attack against the trade OF
their enemies lies in the practical impossibility
of employing submarines in the destruction OF
commerce without disregarding those rules OF
fairness, reason, justice and humanity which al
modern opinion regards as imperative. 1t is
practically impossible for the officers of sub
marine to visit merchantmen at sea and ex-
anime her papers and cargo. It is practically
impossible for them to make prize of her, and
if they can not put prize crew on board of he1
they can not sink her without leaving her crew
and all on board of her to the mercy of the sea