The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1915-07-29
The Presidents Note.

Inc PRESIDENTS Note.
Presidents Wilson's latest note to
Germany meets with the hearty ap-
proval of all Americans worthy of
the name. 1t is friendly but firm,
and final. If the imperial govern
ment desires to retain the friend
ship of the United States, it is
within it's power to do So This gov
eminent announces that the rights
of neutrals must be observed, and
this is certainly not unreasonable.
Great Britain can also secure con-
siderable food for thought by care
fully reading the note, as the United
States declares that it will continue
to contend for the freedom of the
seas 'sfrom whatever quarter vio-
lated, without compromise, and at
any cost. Following are a few
striking paragraphs:
"Illegal and inhuman acts, how
ever iustidable they may be thought
to be against an enemy who is be-
lieved to have acted in contravention
OF law and humanity, are manifestly
indefensible when they deprive
neutrals of their, acknowledged
rights, particularly when they vio-
late the right to life itself. If
belligerent cannot retaliate against
an enemy without injuring the lives
of neutrals, as well as their pro-
perty, humanity, as we'll as Justice
and due regard for the dignity of
neutral powers, should dictate that
the practice be discontinued.
eff persisted in, it would in such
circumstances constitute an unpard-
enable offense against the sover-
eighty of the neutral nation affected.
X
"The government of the United
States, while not Indifferent to the
friendly spirit in which it is made.
cannot accept the suggestion of the
imperial German government that
certain vessels be designated and
agreed upon which shall be free on
the seas now illegally prescribed.
The very agreement would by i'm
Eplication subject other vessels to H.
legal attack and would be curtail-
Iiment and therefore an abandonment
.of the principles for which this gov
lernment contends and which in
times of calmer counsels every
nation would concede as of course.
"The government of the United
States and the imperial German gov
eminent are contending for the same
great object. have long stood to-
gether in urging the very principles
upon which the government of the
United States now so solemnly in
sists. They are both contending for
the freedom of the seas. The gov
eminent Of the United States will
continue to contend for that free
dom, from whatever quarter vio-
lated, without compromise and at
any cost. 1t invites the practical
cooperation of the imperial Ger
man government at this time when
Incorporation may accomplish most
and this great common object to be
most strikingly and effectively
achieved.
1.-The imperial German govern.
ment expresses the hope that this
object may be in some measure &C.
complished even before the present
war ends. It can be. The govern
ment of the United States not only
feels obliged to insist upon it. by
whomsoever violated or ignored, in
the protection of it's own citizens,
but is also deeply interested in see
ling it made practical between the
belligerents themselves, and holds
itself ready at any time to act as the
common friend who may be priyi-
lleged to suggest way.
SIN the meantime the very value
which this government sets upon
the long and unbroken friendship
between the people and government
III WIZ ~ uACCN UdC ot1N CA1C
land government of the German
nation impels it to press very SOL
emnly upon tie imperial German
government the necessity for scru-
Fpulous observance of neutral rights
in his critical matter Friendship
itself prompts it to say to the imper-
| ial government that repetition by
the commanders of German naval
vessels of acts in contravention of
those rights must be regarded by the
government of the United States,
when they affect American citizens,
Jas deliberately unfriendly."
Along tho Main Line
He-The train was so crowded this
morning that couldn't get a seat.
II h. -I-L u