Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-29
Future Breaches of Law En-
dangefing American Lives
Will! Be Regarded as De-
IiberateIy UnfriendIy.
CANNOT FOREsEE RESULTS
Grave Consequences Not I'm
probable But Administration
Is Prepared For Possible
Eventualities.

Washington, July 24.--Nothing
less grave than breaking off dip
lomatic relations with Germany
and the calling Of congress in ex.
ira session to prepare for even.
Qualities is foreshadowed by the
tone of the new note to Germany
made public today, in case Ger
many e%lectes to proceed with that
policy at sea which resulted in the
unwarned sinking of the Lusi-
tania.
Through the new document
there runs an ominous strain of
fnality which has been lacking in
the previous representations of
the government.
The climax of the note is
reached in the two concluding
words. "Deiiberately unfriend-
~" the German government is
told. will be the view taken by
this nation of further naval acts
in violation of American rights
when they affect American citi,
ZenS.
One Significant Phase.
1t is significant that the German
government is admonished as to rep
etition of acts" affecting life in viola-
ton of international law. This amounts
to saying that this government will
rely for settlement of past o%ffenses on
diplomatic exchanges, but that Ger
many must not tranSgreSS in the flu
ture.
Not less striking than the words
Deliberately unfriendly" as used by
the president and the secretary Of state
is the declaration that this government
will continue 20 contend for freedom
of the seas from whatever quarters
violated, without compromise and at
any cost"
The general view taken here today
is that, If language means anything.
if sentences are to be construed fol-
what they mean on their face, and not
as empty verbiage. then the express
sions which have been used by the
government OF the United States, after
long and careful study and counsel
among the leading advisors of the
White House, mean that if Germany
further infringes on the rights OF
American life at sea talk will cease
and there will be a resort to other
methods.
Will Not Back Down.
Furthermore, despite a view in some
quarters that the administration will
not back up its words, there is no rea.
reason to doubt that the president has
chosen his ground with elaboration
| and that he has no intention of aban-
doning it.
On the assumption that Germany
has already admitted the %illegality of
her practices by attempting to justify
| fh1ro pS q p1inuf Grnof Rrttair thc
United States, in the new note, ex-
presses the belief that Germany will
no longer refrain from disavowine
the wanton act of her naval COM
from offering PREPARATION for the
| American lives lost, so far az repara-
ton can be made for a needless de-
struction of human life by an illegal
act"
Referring to the German govern
| ynent's expression of hope in its last
note that the freedom Of the seas may
be established in some measure before
the end of the present war, the United
| States declares that this object can be
accomplished. and invites the practical
cooperation Of the imperial government.
The American government adds, more
over. that it holds itself ready at any
time to act as the common friend who
may he privileged to suggest a way to
assist In establishing the freedom CT the
l StAos "a JAG lSC SkC NC q lIolC
of July s is declared very unsatisfac-
tory, because it fails to meet the real
differences between the two govern
16ents and indicates no wa in which
the accepted principles of law and hui
manity may be applied in the grave
matter in controversy, but proposes, on
the contrary. arrangements for a par
ttal suspension of these principles,
which virtually sets them aside.
An Irrelevant Proposition.
Contending that the defense of an
act as retaliatory is an admission
that it is Illegal" the American gov
nme then argues that it cannot dis
cuss actions of Great Britain with Ger
many and must regard as irrelevant
III the present negotiations the conduct
Of other bclltgercnts.
illegal ard inhulnan acts" says the
note, however justifiable they may be,
though against an enemy who is be-
! lieved to have acted in c~ontravention of
Jaw and humanity. are manifestly indie
feasible when they deprive neutrals of
their acknowledge rights. particularly
when they violate the right of life it
| SELF
Pointing out the q belligerent should
give up It's measures of retaliation if
| unable to conduct them without in
jury to lives of neutrals." the note de-
clares that persistence in such meas
ures under the circumstances would
constitute an objectionable offense
against the sovereignty of tho neutral
nation affected.
To Stand BY Rights.
The United States. it further assert
ed. is not unmindful Of the extraor-
| binary conditions. created by the pres
ent war. and is ready to make every
reasonable allowance for these novel
and unexpected aspects of war at sea-"
but cannot consent to "abate any es-
sential or funda mental right of its peo-
pie. because of a mere alteration of cir
cumstances.'
LIE. Reeves. of Fond du Lac. Wis,
has 4 muskrat farm. Not entirely sat
isfied with the results OF that enter