The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-07-16
'GERMANYS REPLY TO- AMERICAN
NOTE 0k THE LUSTANIA ISSUE
Refuses to Guarantee Protection to American
Passengers on BeIligerent Ships
Situation Now at Crisis.

translation Of the German note con-
Armed impressions which have been
current in Official quarters for several
days that Germany would refuse to
give the assurances asked for by the
United States In her last note that the
lives of Americans travelling the high
Beas on unarmed ships of any nation
atty be not endangered
Another Issue Raised.
The apparent restrictions placed by
Germany on the use Of American
passenger ships, which are to be given
complete immunity from interference
only If they do not carry contraband,
was regarded in many quarters as
adding another to the many issues
which have arisen over submarine
warfare. Assumption of liability for
the loss of Americans in the Lusitania
tragedy was considered to have been
wholly evaded by Germany, and the
chief principle for which the United
States announced that 1t would omit
mo word or act" to see observed was
viewed as having been lightly passed
over"
To Hold Germany Responsible.
What the course of the United
States will be is problematical Many
of those in official quarters who have
been familiar with Germany's pro-
posals as outlined by Ambassador
Gerard in the last few days are in
favor Of an emphatic assertion by the
American Government that it intends
to exercise the rights which it holds
nnder international law, placing upon
Germany the responsibility for any
future violation that may cause a
breach in friendly relations.
Many persons conversant with
diplomatic precedents in the framing
OF notes believed that the next step
of necessity would be an advance in
the position of the United States, for,
having asked for assurances and failed
TO receive them, the field for further
negotiation had been considerably
narrowed and now requires some as
sertion of rights.
Berlin. The text of the German
note follows:
Berlin, July s.
"The undersigned has the honor to
make the following reply to his Excel
lency Ambassador Gerard to the note
of the 10th ultimo re the impairment
OF 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 humanity
realized in the present war. Also this
appeal finds ready echo in Germany
and the Imperial Government is quite
willing to permit its statements and
decisions in the present case to be
governed by the principles of hui
mainly just as it has done always.
always" Humane.
''The Imperial Government well
coined with gratitude when the Ameri-
can Government in the note of May
Is itself recalled that Germany has al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and hui
mainly in dealing with the law of
maritime war. Since the time when
Frederick the Great negotiated with
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and
Thomas Jefferson the treaty of friend
ship and commerce of September g.,
1875, between Prussia and the Re-
public Of the West, German and
American statesmen have, in fact, al
ways stood together In the struggle
for the freedom of the seas and for
the protection of peaceable trade In
the international proceedings which
since have been conducted for the
regulation of the laws of maritime
war Germany and America have joint
ly advocated progressive principles,
especially the adjustment of the
right of capture at sea and the pro-
lection of the interests Of neutrals.
Would Change international Law.
Even at the beginning of the pres
cut WAL the GGILudA 0UN0TuIuCAl I'LL
mediately declared its willingness. in
response to proposals of the Ameri-
can Government, to ratify the Declara-
ton of London and thereby subject
itself In the use of its naval forces to
all the restrictions provided therein
in favor of neutrals. Germany like
wise has been always teacious of the
principle that war should be conduct
ed against the armed and organized
forces of an enemy country, but that
the enemy civilian population must
be spared as far as possible from the
measures of war.
1.-THE Imperial Government cherishes
the definite hope that some way will
be found when peace is concluded, or
perhaps earlier, to regulate the law Of
maritime war in manner guaran-
teeing the freedom of the seas, and
will welcome it with gratitude and
satisfaction If it can work hand-in-
hand with the American Government