The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-05-18
SUBMARINE ATTACKS ON MERCHANT
VESSELS DENOUNCED BY WILSON.

learned to recognize the German Views
and the German influence In the field Of
international obligation as always en-
gagged upon the side of justice and hu-
manity; and having understood the in
structions of the imperial German gov
ernment to its naval commanders to- be
upon the same plant of humane action
prescribed by the naval codes NJ other
nations, the government of the United
States was 10th to bclieve--lt can not
now bring itself to bcicve-that these
acts SO absolutely contrary 10 the rules
the practices dnd the spirit of modern
warfare could have the countcnance ar
sanction of that great government. 1t
feels II to be It's duty. therefore. to ad-
address the imperial German government
concerning them with the utmost frank
ness and In the earnest hope that IT is
not mistaken in expecting action on the
part OF the imperial German government
which will correct the unfortunate i'm
presslons which have been created and
indicate once more the position Of that
government with regard to the sacred
freedom of the seas.
The government of the United states
has been apprised that the imperial Ger
man government considered themselves
to be obligated by the extraordinary cir
cumstances Of the present war and the
measures adopted by their adversaries In
seeking to cut Germany off from all com
uhiot 90 ,np ,,,,p,, hcvond thc ordinarv
methods OF warfare at sea, In the proc
lamation OF war zone from which they
have warned neutral SHIPS to keep away.
This government has already taken occa-
sion to inform the imperial German gov
ernment that If can not admit the adop-
tion OF such measures or such warning
Of danger to operate 1s in any degree an
abbrevIation Of the rights of American
shipmasters or OF American citizens
bound on lawful errands as passengers
ON merchant ships of belliperont nation
aIity: and that II must hold the imperial
Gernnn pnvernn7ent to a strict account
ability for any Infringement OF these
moi understand The innrrial German gov
eminent TO question those rirhts. It as
s,Irns on the contrary. that tho imperial
German government. ncccpi as of course
the rule that the lives of nouconbatants
whether they be of neutral citizenship or
citizens or ono of tba nations at war can
not lawfully or rightfuIlv he nut in Icon
erdv nv the captt,re or destruction of an
tuorrned merchnutnon and recognize
also. ss oll other nations do. tho obliga-
tion to take the usual precautions of
visit and search to ascertain whether a
aispccted nercbouttiau is I'm fact of bel
liqerent nationality or is In fact carrying
cohu"oaho u "ar 'i'"'' "'"''"t nag
Attacks by Submarines,
The government Of the United states
tberefore desires TO call the attention OF
the imperial German government with the
utmost enrnestncss to the fact that the
objection to their present method Of at
tack against ethtrade of theh enemie.
lies In the practjcal imrosslbilty OF en-
blowing submarines I'm the destruction OF
commerce without disregarding those
rules of fairness Justice and humanity,
"hicn al modern "piulo, resarus as I'm
peratye' IL ~ Prac,'cai'N Wi.oSslp'e TOT
'he or'cerS VI Sup'hu'','e w N'S't
merchah'nhh nv sea ana examine nsF
papers and cargo. 1t is practically inn
possipie ior tnem 10 MAKE piiAe OF her;
ana II they can not put ptlHe ere" on
ooaru OF hei', ''ey can fot s,hi' her "ith-
OUT ieaV,he her crew ana "h on poarn OF
ner 10 'mr mercy Oh ,he sen IN ier snii"
poats lneHe Ihc's IL ~ undcfS'nod the
imperlai "erih"n government ltahk'S a"-
mt we are informed tnat IN the IN
stances o' Wn'ch we nave spoken t'me
enough TOT even thHt lopr heASure OF
SnietN was mol gwen ana IN nj least TWO