The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-07-27
FULL TEXT OF NOTE
New Attacks on Americans Will Be
Held deliberately Unfrlendly"
The Secretary of State TO Ambassador
- - -
Gerard:
Department Of State,


Washington, July u, 1915.
You are Instructed to deliver textually
the following note to the minister ior for
eign affairs
The note .! the Imperial German gov
ernment dated the Sth Of July. 1915, has
received the careful consideration of the
government of the United States, and it
regrets to be obliged to say that it has
found it very unsatisfactory because it
fails to meet the real differences between
the two governments and indicates no
way in which the accepted principles of
Jaw ana Humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pro-
poses on the contrary, arrangements for
a partial suspension Of those principles,
which virtually set them aside.
The government of the United States
notes with satisfaction that the imperial
German government recognizes without
reservation the validity OF the principles
insisted on in the several Communications
which this government has addressed 10
the imperial German government, with
regard to its announcement OF war zone
and the use of submarines against mer-
chantmen on the high seas-the principle
thtt the high seas are free, that the char
acter and cargo of merchantmen must
first be ascertained before she can law.
fully be seized or destroyed and that the
lives OF noncOmbatants may in no case
he put in jeopardy unless the vessel re-
Eists or seeks to escape after being sum
moned to submit to examination, for
helligerent act of retaliation is per Sc an
act beyond the law and the defense Of an
act as retaliatory is an admission that it
is Illegal.
Note Disappointing.
The government Of the United States,
however, is keenly disappointed to find
that the imperial German government re-
cards itself as In large degree exempt
from the obligation to observe these prin-
ciples even where neutral vessels are con-
cerned, by what 1T believes the policy and
practice of the government of Great Brit
ain to be in the present war with regard
TO neutral commerce The imperial Ger
man government will readily understand
that the government Of the United States
can not discuss the policy of the govern
ment of Great Britain with regard TO neu-
trail trade except with that government
itself, and that it must regard the conduct
Of other belligerent governments as irrele-
want to any discussion with the inn
perial German government of what this
government regards as grave and unjus-
tiGable violations OF the rights of Amer
lean citizens by German naval command
ers.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however justi-
fable they may be thought to be against
an enemy who is believed to have acted
| in contravention of law and humanity, ara
| manifestly indefensble when they deprive
| neutrals of their acknowledged rights,
| particularly when they violate the right
to life itself If a belligerent can not re-
! taiate against an enemy without iniuring
| the lives of peutrals as well as their prop
| erty, humanity as well rs justice ana a
due regard for the dignity of neutral pow
ers, should dictate that the practice be
| discontinued. If persisted in, it would in
such circumstance constitute an unpar-
/ ionable offense against the sovereignty
| of the neutral nation affected.
No Compromise.
The government of the United States
| Is not unmindful of the extraordinary
| conditions created by this war or of the
| radical alterations Of circumstance and
| method of attack produced by the use of
| instrume n talities of naval warfare which
| the nations of the world can not have
| had In view when the existing rules OF
| International law were formulated, and ii
| is ready to make every reasonable allow
ance for these novel and unexpected as
! poets of war at sea- but 1t can not consent
| to abate any essential or fundamental
right of its people because Of a mere al
| teration of circumstance. The rights Of
| neutrals In time of war are based upor,
! principle, not upon eApediency, and the
| principles are immutable. IT is the duty
and obligation of belligerents to find a
| way to adapt the new circumstances to
| them
The events Of the past two months have
| clearly Indicated that II is possible and
| practicable to conduct such submarine
| operations as have characterized the ac-
tivlty OF the imperial Gtrman naval conn
| nanders within the so called war zone
| In substantial accord with the accepted
practices of regulated warfare The whole
world has looked with interest and in
creaslng satisfaction at the denonsts
of that possibility by German naVal com
,nsnders II is nanAfestly possible there
Core m iirt m. " hole practice ot subrAa-