Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-07-30


erty, humanity, as we'll as Justice and
a due regard for the dignity Of neutral
:powors, should dictate that the prac-
tice be discontinued. II persisted In Il
would in such circumstances const'-
tute an objectionable offense against
tho sovereignty Of tho neutral nation
affected.
Recognizes Changed Conditions.
THE government of the United
States is not unmindful Of the ex-
tr4ordinary conditions created by this
war or of the radical alterations OF
circumstances and method Of attack
produced by the use Of instrumental
itlos Of naval warfare which the ma
lions of the world cannot have had In
view when the existing rules of inter
national law were formulated and It
is ready to make every reasonable al
loWance for these novel and unexpect-
ed aspects Of war at sea; but it cam
not consent to abate any essential or
fundamental rights Of its people be-
cause OF q mere alteration of circum-
stances. The rights of neutrals in
tiwe of war are based upon principle,
not upon expediency, and the prin-
c1ples are immutable. His the duty
and obligation of belligerents to find
a way to adapt the new circumstances
to them.
Couic Avoid Criticism.
The events Of the past two months
have clearly indicated that it is pos
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char.
acterized the activity of the imperial
German navy within the so-called war
zone In substantial accord with the 40
copied practices of regulated warfare.
The whole world has looked with in
terest and increasing satisfaction at
the demonstration of that possibility
by German naval commanders. It is
manifestly possible, therefore, to lift
the whole practice of submarine at
tack above the criticism which it has
aroused and remove the chief causes
Of offense.
"In view Of tho admission Of Illegal
tty made by the imperial German gov
eminent when Il pleaded tho right e
retaliation In defense Ct it's acts and
In view Of the manifest possibility Of
conforming to the established rules Of
naval warfare, tho government Of tho
United States cannot believe that tho
imperial government will longer re-
frain from disavowino the wanton act
Of it's naval commander In sinking tho
lusItania or from offering reparation
for tho American lives lost, SO far a.
Preparation can be made for a needless
destruction Of human life by an illegal
act.
Cannot Accept Suggestion
THE government Of the United
States, while not Indifferent to the
friendly spirit in which it is made,
cannot accept the suggestion Of tn,
imperial German government that Ger.
tain vessels be designated and agreed
upon which shall be free on the seas
now illegally prescribed. The very
agreement would. by implication. sub
ject other vessels to illegal attack and
would be a curtallment and therefore
an abandonment of the principles for
which this government contends and
which in times of calmer councils
every nation would concede as OF
course.
"The government Of tho United
States and the imperi:: German gov.
eminent are contending for the same
great object, have long stood together,
In urging the very principles upon
which the government Of tho United
States now so soIemnly insists. They
are both contending for *he freedom
Of the seas. The government Of the
United States will continue to contend
for that freedom, from whatever quar-
ter violated, without compromise and
at any cost. It invites the practical
cooperation Of the imperial German
government at this time when COOP
Grafton may accomplish most and this
great common object be most striking
w and effectively achieved.
i Object Can Be Accomplished.
!. THE imperial German government
expresses the hope that this object
3k1ay be in some measure accomplished
/ even before the present war ends. Il
',can be. The government of the United
States not only feels obliged to insist
upon it, by whomsoever violated or
ignored, In the protection Of its own
citizens, but is also deeply interested
in seeing 1t made practicable between
the belligerents themselves. and holds
itself ready at any time to act as the
common friend who may be privileged
to suggest way.
",n tho meantime the very value
which, this government sets upon tho
Iona and unbroken friendship between
tho people and government Of tho
lJn,teI states and tho people and gov.
ernment Of the German nation impels
It to press very so'emn'y upon the I'M
nerIai German government the necea-
sity for a scrupu'ous observance Of
neutral rights In this critical matter,