The Carlisle independent. (Carlisle, Ark.) 1905-current, 1915-05-20

distress and amaZement
Recalling the humane ana enllglt-
ened attitude hitherto assumed b..
the imperial German government in
matters of international right. ard
particularly with regard to the free
dom Of the seas; having learned to
recognize the German views and the
German influence in the field of in
ternational obligation as always en-
gagged upon the side of justice and nu-
mainly; and having understood the in
stTuctions of the imperial German
government to its naval commanders
to be upon the same plane of human e
action prescribed by the naval codes
of other nations, the government of
the United States was loath TO believe
it cannot now bring itself to believe
that these acts so absolutely con-
trary to the rules. the practices and
the spirit of modern warfare could
have the countenance or sanction of
that great government 1t faels it to
be its duty therefore to address the
imperial German government concern
ing them with the utmost frankness
and in the earnest hope that it is
not mistaken in expecting aenon OF
the part of the imperial German gov
eminent, which will correct the ur-
favorable impressions which have
been created and vindicate once more
the position of that government with
regard to the sacred freedom of the
seas.
No War Zone Rights Over Americans.
The government of the United
States has been apprised that the i'm
perial German government consider
ed themselves to be obliged by the
extraordinary circumstances of the
present war and the measures adopt
ed by their adversarieS in seeking to
cut Germany of from all commerce,
to adopt methods of retaliation which
go much beyond the ordinary meth
DDS of warfare at sea in the proclama-
ton of war zone, from which they
have warned neutral ships to keep
away. This government has already
taken occasion to inform the imperial
German government that 1t cannot
admit the adoption OF such measures
or such a warning OF dangers to ope-
rate as in any degree an abbrevia.
ton of the rights of American ship
masters or of American citizens
bound on lawful errands as passen
gers on merchant ships of be1ligerent
Il hoI he
imperial German government to q
strict accountability for any infringe
ment of those rights, intention or in.
cidental
ut does not understand the irr.
perial German government to question
those rights. 1t assumes on the con-
trary that the imperial government
accepts. as OF course, the rule that the
lives Of noncombatants, whether they
be of neutral citizenship or citizens
of one Of the nations at war. cannot
lawfully or rightfully be put in jeo-
pardy by the capture or destruction
of an unarmed merchantmen and rec
ognizes also, as all other natio' do.
the obligation to take the usual pre-
caution TO ascertain whether q sup
posed merchantmen is in fact Of belig-
erent nationality or IS in act carry
ing conTaband of war under a neutral
flag.
Protest Against Submarine Warfare.
The government of the United
States, therefore. desires TO call the
attention Of the imperial German gov
eminent, with the utmost earnestness,
to the fact that the objection to
their present method Of attack against
the trade Of their enemies lies in the
practical impossibility OF employing
submarines in the destruction of com
merce without desregarding those
rules Of fairness, reason, justice and
humanity which all modern opinion
regards as imperative 1t is practi-
cally impossible for the officers of q
submarine 10 visit a merchantmen at
f sea and examine her papers and car
go. It IS practically impossible for
them 10 make a prize of her and if
they cannot put prlze crew on heard
CT her. they cannot sink her without
leaving her crew and all on board of
her to the mercy OF the sea in her
small boats. These racts, it is under
stood. the imperial German govern
ment frankly admits. We are inform.
ed that in the instances of which
We have spoken time enough for even
/ that poor measure of safety was not
given and IN at least TWO OF the cases
cited not so much as warning vas
received. Manifestly subma ines can
rot be used against merchantmen. as
The last few weeks have shown with.
+ ont an inevitable violation Of MANY
sacred principles of justice and I'M.
mainly.
viii Uphold Rights of Americans.
American citizens act within their
| i1diSputable rights in taxing their
ships and in travelling wherever Their
legitimate business calls them uDor
The high seas and exercise those
right in what should be the well JUS
tlfied confidence that their lives viii
rot be endangered by acts done in
clear violation of universally ac,.nowI
(