Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-13
THgRspsAsS E.s.,.,, 4,..,,. !. MAY ID, 1918.
THE AMERICAN NOTE TO GERMANY.

ne american note to Germany, based on the
loss Of American lives and the violation Of
American rights in the so-called ''war-zone'' il
not only a vigorous statement of American
policy to protect national interests, but sig
nifeant statement of International law.
Germany has held, by word and by deed, that
the warnings issued by the German government
to neutrals against travelling in the war zone
'absolyed Germany from responsibility should
these neutrals suffer in the course of the sub
marine raids on commercial ships The Ameri-
can note Immediately puts the United States
on record as disagreeing sharply with this
view -s.'i
President Wilson, his cabinet and Counsellor
Robert Lansing demand accounting Of Germany
for the sinking Of the American steamer Gulf
light, the aerial bombardment of the American
steamer Cushing, the loss of an American life
In the sinking of the Falaba and the loss of
many American lives in the sinking of the Lusi-
tania.
We're the administration to agree in anywise
that German warnings can shift German re-
sponsibiiity, the note could not have been writ
ten In the Expression of sympathy con-
veyed to the state department by Ambassador
Befnstorf under instructions from his govern
Inent, Germany said she regretted that Ameri-
cans felt more inclined to trust to English
promises than fo. heed German warnings" In
this and in other meaning phrases, the German
government plainly declared its position to be
that it slistains no responsibility for the loss
Of neutral lives in the war-zone, having issued
warnings against travel therein.
The American note demands accounting for
three occurrences which have taken place since
the warnings begun running as paid advertise
ments in American newspapers-the Gushing,
Gulflight and Lnsitania Incidents
It would indeed be strange version of in
ternational law that would allow paid adver-
tiseinents to abfogate treaties or even to excuse
or palhate violations of treaties As has been
remarked before in these columns, because
Germany has the might to sink merchant yes
sells carrying neutrals, and because Great
Britain hassthe might to seize cargoes of every
description bound for Germany, it does not fol
low that either Of them has the right so to act
Americas emphatic note to Germany "puts
1t up" to Berlin in no uncertain terms. We be-
lieve the whole country will agree that the time
for some exceedingly plain speaking has come.
There will, of course, be some in our country
ready to cry that the United States is unneutral,
that it is siding with the Allies, just as they
were ready to make the accusation when al
most simultaneously the state department ad-
dressed Germany upon its submarine war and
Britain upon its food blockade. There will be
as little truth in such an accusation now ais then
and that there was not truth then soon be-
came plain, for both sides at once began criti-
eising America.
The tone Of the German response viii deter
mine Uncle Sam s further steps. The temper
of the United States makes it certain that the
administration will have countrywide support
in demanding Of Germany the strictest account
ing for the loss of American lives
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