The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-07-16
SAFETY OF U.S.. CITIZENS
IS PLEDGED BY GERMANY
ON NEUTRAL SHIPS ONLY

nave DeeH sent 10 OeTulhHy eNemle
and thereby thousands of German
mothers and children robbed o
readwinners.
In the spirit OF friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
States) and its inhabitants since the
earliest days of its existence, the I'm
perial Government will always be
ready to do all il can during the pres
ent war also to prevent the jeopardiz
ing of lives of American citizens.
The Imperial Government, therefore
repeats the assurances that American
ships will not be hindered in the
prosecution of legitimate shipping and
the lives of American citizens in neu-
tral vessels shall not be placed in
jeopardy.
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers. made possible in view of the con-
duct of maritime war by Germany's
adversaries, German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage of such passenger steam.
ers when made recognizable by spe.
cial markings and notified a reason
able time in advance. The Imperial
Government, however. confidently
hopes that the American Government
will assume to guarantee that these
vessels have no contraband on board,
details of arrangements for the
unhampered passage of these vessels
to be agreed upon by the naval author.
tiles of both sides.
In order to furnish adequate facili.
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German Gov
ernment submits for consideration a
proposal to increase the number OF
available steamers by installing in
passenger service a reasonable mum.
ber of neutral steamers under the
American flag. the exact number TO
be agreed upon under the same con.
dition as the aforementioned Ameri-
can steamers.
The Imperial Government believes
it can assume that in this manner ade-
quate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic Ocean can be afforded Ameri-
can citizens. There would, therefore,
appear to be no compelling necessity
for American citizens to travel to Eu-
rope In time of war on ships carrying
an enemy flag. In particular the I'm
perial Government is unable to admit
that American citizens can protect an
enemy ship through the mere fact of
their presence on board.
Germany merely followed England's
example when she declared part of
the high seas an area of war. Conse-
quently, accidents suffered by neutrals
on enemy ships in this area of war
cannot well be judged differently from
accidents to which neutrals are at all
times exposed at the seat of war on
land. when they betake themselves
into dangerous localities in spite of
previous warnings. II, however, it
should not be possible for the Ameri-
can Government to acquire an ade-
quate number of neutral passenger
steamers, the Imperial Government is
to interpose no objections to
the placing under the American flag
by the American Government of four
enemy passenger steamers for passen-
ger traffic between North America
and England. Assurances of free
and safe" passage for American passen-
ger steamers would then extend to
these formerly hostile passenger
steamers.
The President of the United States ]
has declared his readiness, in a way
deserving of thanks, TO communicate |
and suggest proposals TO the Govern
ment Of Great Britain with particular
reference TO the alteration of mari !
time war. The Imperial Government
will always be glad TO make use of |
the good Offices OF the President, and |
uOptS lHdl HIS tllOIlS III tue present
case as we'll as in the direction OF |
the lofty ideal of the freedom OF the |
seas, will lead to an understanding.
The undersigned requests the Am:
bassador TO bring the above 10 the |
knowledge OF the American Govern.
ment. and avails himself of the oppor.
tunity to renew TO his Excellency the |
of his most distinguished |
Won JAGOW.
Copies OF the note were Immediately |
put on the wire at the State Depart
ment and forwarded to President vii. !
son at his summer home at Cornish. |
No steps were taken by the officials |
looking to the answer of the communi. |
cation. but Cabinet meeting was ar
ranged for discussion OF the policy OF |
the United States and the advice OF |
the president. The decision as 10 |
future action by this government rests |
entirely with the executive. He will !