The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-07-16

he herman note.
had been spared, thousands of cases Of
munitions would have been sent to
Germany's enemies and thereby thou
sands Of German mothers and children
robbed of bread winners.
Americans in Neutral Ships Safe.
In the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been inn
bued toward the Union and its inhabi-
tants since the earliest days Of its ex-
istence, the imperial government will
always be ready to do all it can during
the present war also t. prevent the
jeopardizing of lives Of American citi-
zens. The imperial government, there
fore, repeats the assurance that Amer
lean ships will o be hindered in the
prosecution OF legitimate shipping and
h lives Of American citizens III neu-
tral vessels shall not be placed in jeo-
pardy.
Special Markings for Steamers.
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers, made possible in view Of the on
duct Of maritime war by Germany's
a~dyersaries, German submarines will
be instructed 10 permit the free and
safe passage Of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by special
markings and notified a reasonable
time in advance. The imperial govern
rent, however, confidently hopes that
the American government will assume
70 guarantee that these vessels have
no c~ontraband on board, details OF ar
rangement for the unhampered pas.
sage Of these vessels 70 be agreed
upon BY the naval authorities on both
sides.
in order to furnish adequate facili-
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German govern
ment submits for consideration a pro-
posal to increase the number Of avaiia.
bic steamers by installing in passenger
service a reasonable number OF neutral
steamers under the American Tag, the
exact number TO be agreed upon under
the same condition as the above men.
~ 49, ANNbAI y.
Adequate. Facilities Promised.
THE imperial government believes
it can assume that in this manner ade.
quate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic can be afforded American citi.
zens. There would. therefore, appear
to be no compelling necessity for
American citizens to travel in Europe
in time of war on ships carrying an
enemy flag. In particular, the imperial
government is unable to admit that
American citizens can protect an enc.
my ship through the mere fact of their
| presence on board.
Germany merely followed England's
example when she declared part of the
high sea ar area of war. Consequent.
ly. accidents suffered by neutrals on
enemy ships in this area Of war cannot
we'll be judged differently from acct.
dents to which neutrals are at all
times exposed at the seat OF wal on
land when they betake themselves in.
to dangerous localities in spite Of prey.
ious warnings. If. however, it should
not be possible for the American gov.
eminent to require an adequate mum.
Der Of neutral passenger steamers, the
imperial government is prepared to in.
terpose no objections to the placing I'm.
der the American flag by the American
government OF four enemy passenger
steamers for passenger traffic between
North America and England. Assur.
ances of free and safe passage for
American passenger steamers would
extend to apply under the identical
| p~ro-coHditions to these formerly hostile
| passenger steamers.
Hopes for Understanding.
"The President Of the United States
has declared his readiness, in a way
deserving of thanks, to communicate
and suggest proposals to the govern
ment Of Great Britain with particular
reference to the alteration of maritime
war. The imperial government will
always be glad to make use Of the
good Offices OF the President and hopes
that his efforts in the present case, as
we'll as in the direction of the lofty
ideal Of the freedom OF the seas, will
lead to an understanding.
The undersigned requests the am.
bassador to bring the above to the
knowledge of the American govern.
ment and avails himself Of the y
tunity to renew to his excellency the
assurance OF his most distinguished
consideration.
(Signed) Won JAGoW."