Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-07-10
Mentions Order-ln-Councii.

After referring to the principles ad'
vocated by Germany regarding the
freedom of the seas, the note recites
the British orders-in-council, declar-
ing a blockade of German ports, which
meant starvation to German civilians.
1t says:
I'VE have been obliged to adopt the
submarine warfare to meet the de-
clGrcd intentions of our enemies and
the method of warfare adopted bJ
them in contravention of internation-
al law.
'The case of the Lusitania shows
With horrible clearness to what jeop.
ardizing Of human lives the manner
of conducting the war employed by
our adyersaries leads, in most direct
contradiction Of international law.
- Distinctions ObIiterated.
"All distinctions between 4. mer-
chantmen and war vessels have been
oblitera. ed by the order to British
merchantmen to arm themselves to,
ram tn submarines and promise o.
rewards therefore. Neutrals who use,
merchantmen as travellers thereby
have been exposed in increasing de-
gree to all the dangers of war. odr-
''if the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the. Lusi-.
tania had caused the crew and pas
sengers to take to the boats before
firing the torpedo, this would mean
sure destruction Of his own vessel.
Mentions lusitanla.
after the experiences in sinking
much smaller and less seaworthy ves-
sells, it might be expected that a
mighty ship like the Lusitania would
remain above water long enough even
after being torpedoed to permit the
passengers to enter the ships boats
1t may be pointed out that if the
Lusitania had bee nspeared thousand
Of cases of munitions would have
been sent to Gcrmany's enemies and
thereby thousands of German moth
ers and children would be robbed OF
brcadwnners.
Ready to Assist.
I'm the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been inl-
bued toward the union and its inhab-
itants since the earliest days of it's
existence, the imperial government
always will be ready to do all it can
during the present war to prevent the
jeopardizing Of the lives OF American
citizens.
The imperial government, there
fore, repeats assurances that Amerl-
can ships will not be hindered in the
prosecution of legitimate shipping
and the lives of American citizens
in neutral vessels shall not be placed
in jeopardy. Isl.
ToGive Free Passage.
''ln order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger
steamers made possible in lew Of the
conduct of the maritime war by Ger
adversaries, German subma-
rines will be instructed to permit free
and safe passage of such passenger
steamers when made recognizable by
special marking and when notified a
reasonable time in advance.
"The imperial government, hoWev-
er, confidently hopes the American
SON Will W 6uui oAtSO
that these vessels have no contraband
on board and details of arrangement
for the unhampered passage of these
vessels will be agreed to by naval au-
thorities OF both sides.
"In order to furnish adequate facil-
ties for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens, the German
government submits for consideration
a proposal to increase the number of
available steamrs by installing in
passenger service a reasonable num-
Der of steamers under the American
flag, the exact number to be agreed
upon under the same condition as the
above mentioned American steamers.
Adequate Facilities.
"The imperial government believes
it can assume in this manner ade-
quate facilities for travel across the;
ocean can be afforded Amer
Continued on page two.)