The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-07-29
APARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington. July 21, 1915

you are instructed to deliver text
ually the following note to the Min
lister Of Foreign Affairs
The note Of the Imperial German
Government, dated July s, 1915, has
received the careful consideration Of
the Government of the United States,
and it regrets to be obliged to say that
1t has found It very unsatisfactory, be-
cause it fails to meet the real differ
ences between the two Governments
and indicates no way in which the ac-
cepted principles of law and humanity
may be applied in the grave matter in
controversy, but proposes, on the con
trary, arrangements for a partial sus-
pension of these principles which vir-
tually set them aside.
The Government OF the United
states notes with satisfaction that the
Imperial German Government rec
ognizes without reservation the
validity OF the principles insisted on
In the several communications which
this Government has addressed to the
Imperial German Government with re-
gard TO its announcement of a war
zone and the use Of submarines
against merchantmen on the high seas
the principle that the high seas are
free; that the character and cargo Of
a merchantmen must first be ascer-
tained before she can lawfully be
seized or destroyed, and that the lives
of nOn-combatants may in no case be
put in jeopardy unless the vessel re-
sists or seeks to escape after being
summoned 10 submit to examination;
for a belliserent act Of retaliation is
per Sc an sct beyond the law, and
the defense Of an act as retaliatory is
an admission that it is Illegal
"Keenly Disappointed" BY German
Stand.
The Government Of the United
States is, however, keenly disappOint-
ed to find that the Imperial German
Government regards itself as in large
degree exempt from the obligation to
observe these principles, even where
neutral vessels are concerned. by what
It believes the Jlicy and practice Of
the Government of Great Britain to
be in the present war with regard to
neutral commerce. The Imperial Ger.
man Government will readily under
stand that the government of the
United States cannot discuss the policy
of the Government Of Great Britain
with regard TO neutral trade except
with that Government itself, and that
It must regard the conduct OF other
belllgerent Governments as irrelevant
10 any discussion with the Imperial
German Government Of what this Gov
eminent regardt as grave and un-
justifable violations Of the rights Of
American citizens by German naval
commanders. Illegal and inhuman
acts, however jlstihable they may be
thought to be against an enemy who
IS believed to have acted in contra
yenton Of Law and humanity are
manifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals of their acknowledged
rights particularly when they violate
the right to life itself. II a belllgerent
cannot retaliate against an enemy
without injuring the lives Of neutrals
as well as their property, humanity as
well as justice and due regard for
the dignity OF neutral powers should
dictate that the practice be discon-
unued. If persisted in, It would in
such circumstances constitute an un-
pardonable offense against the SOW
reignty Of the neutral nation affected
Principles Are lmmutable."
The Government of the United
StSte~ is not unmindful Of the extraor-