Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-10

Assurance Of Safety.

t Assurance Of Safety.
'Tn the spirit of friendship where
| with the German nation has been i'm
| bued towards the union and its in
/ habitants since the earliest days Of its
| existence, the imperial government
| will always be ready to do all it can
during the present war to prevent
the jeopardizing OF lives Of American
citizens. The imperial government.
/ therefore, repeats the assurances that
American ships will not be hindered
in the prosecution of legitimate ship
ping and the lives of American citi-
zens in neutral 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 10 permit the free and
safe passage of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by spec
iaI markings and notified a reasonable
time in advance. The imperial govern
ment, however, confidently hopes that
the American government will assume
to guarantee that these vessels have
no contraband on board, details Of
arrangement for the unhampered pas
sage of these vessels to be agreed
upon by the naval authorities Of both
sides.
Proposes Neutral Service.
tiles for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens. the German
government submits for consideration
a proposal to increase the number Of
available steamers by installing in
passenger service q reasonable num-
Der of neutral steamers under the
American flag. the exact number to
be agreed upon under the same con
dition as the above mentioned Amer
lean steamers.
The imperial government believes
it can assume that in this manner
adequate facilities for travel across
the Atlantic ocean can be afforded
American citizens. There would.
therefore, appear TO be no compelling
necessity for American citizens to
travel to Europe in time Of war on
ships carrying an enemy flag. In par
ticular the imperial 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 Eng
lands example when she declared part
OF the high seas an area of war. Con-
sequently, accidents suffered by neu-
trails on enemy ships in this area can
not we'll be judged differently from
accidents in which neutraIs 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 be possible for the American
government to require an adequate
number of neutral passenger steamers
the imperial government is prepared
to interpose no objections to the plac-
ing under the American flag by the
American government of four enemy
passenger steamers for passenger
traffic between North America and
England. Assurances of free and
safe passage for American passenger
steamers would extend to apply under
the identical pro-conditions to these
formerly hostile passenger steamers.
Open to Suggestion from This Country.
THE president of the United States
has declared his readiness. In a way
deserving Of thanks, 10 communicate |
and suggest proposals to the govern |
ment OF Great Britain with particular |
reference TO the alteration of mari /
time warfare. The imperial govern |
ment will always be glad to make use |
Of the good Offices OF the president |
and hopes that his efforts IN the pres |
ent case, as well as in the direction /
OF the lofty ideal OF the freedom OF /
the seas, viii lead TO an understand /
ing.
THE undersigned requests the am I
basador to bring the above TO the !
knowledge of the American govern /
ment and avaiIs himself Of the oppor- I
tunity to renew to His Excellency the /
assurance of his most distinguished /
consideration.
(Signed) WON JAGOW."
Stop at the Colonial hotel Tor your I