The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-07-30

neutral vessels are concerned. by what
il believes the policy and practice OF
the government Of Great Britain to
be in the present war with regard to
neutral commerce. The imperial Ger.
man government will readily under
stand that the government of the
United States cannot discuss the pol
icy of the government of Great Brit
ain with regard to neutral trade. eX-
Cept with that government itself. and
that il must regard the conduct of
other bellgerent governments as ir-
relevant To any discussion with the
imperial German government of what
this government regards as grave and
unjustifiable violations of the rights
of American citizens by German naval
commanders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however
iustifiable they may be thought 10 be
against an enemy who is believed to
nave acted in contravention of law
and humanity, are manifestly indie.
feasible when they deprive neutrals
VI tiitif fiSutS,
larry when they violate the right to
life itself
IF belligerent cannot retaliate
against an enemy without iniuring the
lives of neutrals. as we'll as their
property. humanity. as well as Justice
and a due regard for the dignity of
neutral powers. should dictate that
the practice be discontinued If per-
sisted in ii would i'm such circum-
stances constitute an objectionable
offense against the sovereignty of the
neutral nation affected
Principles Are ImmutabIe.
States is not unmindful of the ex-
traordinary conditions created by thiy
war. or of the radical alterations of
circumstances and methods 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 in
ternatiOnal law were formulated. and
it is ready to make every reasonable
allowance for these novel and unex-
pected aspects of war at sea: but it
cannot consent TO abate any essential
or fundamental right of its people be
cause OF a mere alteration of circum.
stance. The rights of neutrals il
time of war are based upon principle
not upon expediency. and the 'princi.
pies are immutable. 1t is the dut,j
and obligation of belligerents to finh
to them.
The events of the past two months
| have clearly indicated that it is pos
sible and practicable to conduct such
; submarine operations as have char
| acteriZed the activity of the imperia
| German navy within the so called wal
zone in substantial accord with the
accepted practices of regulated war
fare. The whole world has looked with
| interest and increasing satisfaction
at the demonstration of that posi-
bility by German naval commanders
II is manifestly possible. therefore, t.
| lift the whole practice of .submarin.
/ attack above the criticism which il
has aroused and remove the chic
cause OF offense.
In view of the admission of illegal
ity made by the imperial government
when 1t pleaded TIE right of retalia
tion in defense of its acts. and in view
OF the manifest possibility of conform
ing to the established rules of nava
warfare, the government OF the Unite,
States cannot believe that the imperi
al government will longer refrair
from disavowing the wanton act of 1t:
-af aa1 vlls9 iIfW aroi1sI Zn.