Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-07-29

sf1sS ASttet III CottfUNeFsgt bhf pro
poses, on the contrary, arrangements
for partial suspension OF those prfn-
cfpies. which virtually set them aside.
High Seas Are Free.
The government OF the United
States notes with satisfaction that the
imperial German government recogniz-
es without reservation the validity OF
the principles insisted upon I'm the sew
eral communications which this gov
eminent has addressed the imperial
German government with regard TO It's
announcement OF o war zone and the
use of submarines against merchant
men on the high seas~-the principle
that the high seas are free, that the
character and cargo OF a merchant.
man must first be ascertained before
she can lawfully be seized or destroy
ed, and that the lives OF non-combat-
ants may In no case be put In ieopar-
dy unless the vessel resists or seeks
to escape after being summoned to
submit to examination; for a beliiger-
ent act OF retaliation IL per Sc an act
beyond the law. and the defense OF an
act as retaiistorv Ia an admission that
II Ia Illegal.
United States keenty Disappointed.
The government Of the United States
In, however, keenly disappointed to
find that the imperial German govern
ment regards itself as In large degree
exempt from the obligation TO observe
these principles, even where neutral
vessels are concerned, by what it be
lieves the policy and practice OF the
government OF Great Britain to be In
the present war with regard to neutral
commerce. The imperial German gov,
eminent will readily understand that
the government of the United States
cannot discuss the policy OF the gov.
eminent of Great Britain with regard
TO neutral trade except with the gov.
eminent itself and that II must regard
the conduct of other belligerent gov.
ernments as irrelevant to any discus.
zion with the imperial German gov
eminent OF what this government re-
CARDS as grave and unjustifiahIe vio-
lations of the rights of American
citizens by German naval commanders.
inhuman Acts Indefenslbls.
Illegal and inhuman acts. however
tustifiable they may be thought to be
against an enemy who is believed to
have acted In ontravention Of law
and humanity. are manifestly indie
fensihle when they deprive Deutrals
OF their acknowledged rights, particu.
larry when they violate the right to
life itself. III belligerent cannot re.
taliate against an enemy without In.
1uring the lives OF neutrals, as we'll al
their property. humanity. as we'll as
justice s1d due regard for the dignity
OF neutral powers, should dictate that
the practice be discontinued. If Der.
sisted in II would In such rfrcum.
stances constitute an objectionable Of
Tense against the sovereignty OF the
neutral nation affected.
Unusual Aspects of War No Excuse
The government of the United
States is not nirnindful of the extra.
ordinary conditions created by this
war or OF the radical alterations a,
circumstance and method Of attack
produced by the use of Instrumental.
ties of naval warfare which the ma.
tons OF the world cannot have had In
view when the existing rules Of I'm.
ternationsl law were formulated. and
II is ready to make every reasonable
allowance for these novel and unex-
pected aspects of war al sea: but /,
cannot consent TO abate any essential
fundamental right OF its people because
OF mere alteration OF circumstance
The rights of neutrals in time of war
are based upon principle not upon
expediency. and the principles are i'm.
mutable. II Is the duty and obIlga ton
of helligerents to find a way TO adapt
the new circumstances TO them.
Causes of offense Can Be Removes.
The events of the past two months
have clearly indicated that II In pos
sible and practicable TO conduct such
submarine operations as have char.
acterized the activity of the imperial
German navy within the so-caIied
war zone In substantial accord with