The Dermott news., 1915-07-15

Washington. Arrival of the press
translation Of the German note cor
firmed impressions that Germany
would refuse to give the assurances
asked by the United States that the
lives of Americans travelling the high
seas on unarmed ships of any nation
atty be not endangered.
The apparent restriction placed by
Germany on the use of American pas
senger ships which are to be given
complete immunity from interference
only If they do not carry coutraband,
is regarded as adding another to the
many issues which have arisen over
submarine warfare. Ii is believed
Germany dtsclaimed liability for the
loss of Americans in the Lusitania
tragedy and has lightly passed over
the chief principle for which the Unit,
ed States announced that it would
omit mo word or act
The general feeling that the reply
is unsatisfactory and will bring To a
crisis the friendly relations that have
existed between the United States
and Germany developed more strong
ly among officials as news of the con
tents Of the note spread
The course Of the United States Is
problematieaL Many officials who ar
familiar with Germany's proposals as
outlined by Ambassador Gerard, favor
H.
can government that it intends to eXs
ercise its rights under international
law, placing upon Germany the re
sponsibility for any violation that
may cause a breach of friendly rell--
tionS
Following Is the press translation Of
the German reply To the American
note concerning submarine warfare
BerIin=aThe undersigned has tho
honor to make the following re
ply to his excelIency, Amabassa.
dor Gerard. to the note of the 10th al
timo. regarding the impairment o.
American interests by the German
submarine war The imperial govern
ment learned with satisfaction from
the note how earnestly the govern
ment of the United States is concern
ed in seeing the principles of human
ity realized in the present war. Also
this appeal finds ready echo n Ger
mary and the imperial government IL
quite willing to permit its statements
and decisions in the present case to
be governed by the principls of hu.
mainly Just as it has done always.
Humanity Always.
The imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
government in the note Of May Is it
self recalled that Germany had al
ways permitted itself to lie governed
by the principles OF progress and hU-
mainly in dealing with the law OF
maritime war Since the time when
Frederick tho Great negotiated with
John Adams benjamin Franklin and
Thomas jefferson, the treaty of friend
ship and commerce of September g
1885, between Prussia and the repub-
lie Of the West. German and Amerl-
can statesmen have In fact always
stood together in the struggle for the
freedom OF the seas and for the pro
lection of peaceable trade In the in
ternational proceedings which have
since been conducted for the regula-
ton of the laws OF maritime war.
Germany and America have jointly I'D
vocated progressive principles espe-
cially the adjustment of the right of
capture at sea and the protection o.
the interests of neutrals.
Germany Wiling to Restrictions.
Even at the beginning of the pres.
ent war the German government im-
mediately declared ITS willingness in
response to proposals of the Amert-
can government to ratify the declara-
ton of London and thereby subject II
self in the use of its naval forces to
all the restrictions provided therein
in favor of neutrals Germany like.
wise has been always tenacious of tho
principle that war should be conduct.
ed against the armed and organized
forces OF an enemy country, but that
the enemy civilian population must b.
spared as far as possible from the
measures of war The imperial gov.
eminent cherishes the definite hone
that some way will be found when