The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-07-30
GERMANY ASKED TO CEASE
ATTACKS ON NEUTRALS
President Sends Note Saying German
Government must make Good
for Lusitania.


latest American note to Germany re-
garding submarine warfare, which
was delivered to the foreign office at
Berlin Friday by Ambassador Gerard:
The Secretary of State to Ambas-
sador Gerard: Department of State.
Washington, July Fl, 1915. You are
instructed to deliver textually the fol-
lowing note to the minister of foreign
affairs:
The note of the imperial German
government dated the 9th of July,
1915, has received the careful con,
slderatlon of the government of the
United States, and it regrets to be
obliged to say that it has found it I'M
satisfactory, because it fails to meet
the real differences between the two
governments, and indicates no way in
which the accepted principles of law
and humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pro-
poses, on the contrary, arrangements
for partial suspension of those prin-
ciples, which virtually sets them
aside.
The government of the United
States notes with satisfaction that the
i imperial German government recog-
nlzes without reservation the validity
of the principles insisted in the several
communications which this govern
ment with regard to its announce
ment of war zone and the use of Sub
marines against merchantmen on the
high seas-the principle that the high
seas are free, that the character and
cargo of merchantmen must first be
ascertained before she can lawfully be
seized or destroyed, and that the lives
of non-combatants may in no case be
put in jeopardy unless the vessel re-
sists or seeks to escape after being
summoned to submit to examination;
for belligerent act of retaliation is
per Sc an act beyond the law, and the
defense of an act as retaliatory is an
admission that it is illegal
Keenly Disappointed.
The government of the United
States is, however, keenly disappoint-
ed to find that the imperial German
government regards itself as in large
degree exempt from the obligation to
observe these principles, even where
neutral vessels are concerned by what
it believes the policy and practice of
the government of Great Britain to be
) in the present war with regard to neu-
trail commerce. The imperial German
government will readily understand
that the government of the United
States cannot discuss the policy of
the government of Great Britain with
regard to neutral trade except with
that government itself, and that it
must regard the conduct of other bel
ligerent governments as irrelevant to
any discussion with the imperial Ger
man government of what this govern
ment regards as grave and unjustif-
able violations of the rights of Ameri-
l can citizens by German naval com
manders. Illegal and inhuman acts,
: however justi6able they may be
thought to be against an enemy who
is believed to have acted in contra
e vention of law and humanity, are
/ manifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals of their acknowledged
rights, particularly when they violate
the right to life itself.
Should Discontinue Acts.
, II belligerent cannot retaliate
: against an enemy without injuring the
! lives of neutrals, as we'll as their pro-
perty, humanity as we'll as justice and
due regard for the dignity of neu-
y trail powers, should dictate that the
Y practice be discontinued If persisted
IN 1t would in such circumstances con-
stitute an objectionable offense
against the sovereignty of the neutral
government affected The govern
, ment of the United States is not nm
e mindful of the extraordinary condi-
tions created by this war or of the
radical alterations of circumstances
and method OF attack produced by the
e use OF the lnstrumentalitics IF naval
e warfare which the nations OF The
world cannot have had in view when
the existing rules of international law
were formulated, and it is ready 70
make every reasonable allowance tor
: these novel and unexpected aSpests of
4 war at sea; but it cannot consent to
abate any essential or fundamental
right of its people because of a mere
alteration Of circumstances Tine
: rights of neutrals in time of war are
based upon principle, MOI UPON ~
pediency, and the principles arc i'm
,hutab!e. 1t IS the duty aud opiiga-
hon II ''c"'e elcntS to lind LAY 10
"u!pi tlc new circumstances % then.
Submarine Warfare.
~ S'NhlS Vi the past TWO mont his
i have clearly indicated that it IS pos
sible and practicable to conduct sub
marine operations as have characteriz-
ed the activity of the imperial gov
ernments navy within the so-called
. war zone in substantial accord with
j the accepted practices of regulated
y warfare. The whole world has look
e ed with interest and increasing salts
faction at the demonstration of that
possibility by German naval rom
manders. 1t is manifestly possible
therefore, to lift the whole practice Of
submarine attack above the criticism
j which it has aroused and remove the
e chief causes of offense
In view of the admission OF llegaIi-
ty made by the imperial German gov
eminent when it pleaded the rigbt Of
retaliation in defense of its acts and in
view of the manifest possibility Of
s conforming to the established rules NJ
5 naval warfare, the government of the
United States cannot believe that tLo