Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-24

any essential or fundamental right ots people because
Of mere alteration of circumstance.
The rights OF neutrals in time OF war are based up
on principle not upon epediency and the principles
are immutabe. 1t is the duty and obligation OF Del
lgerents find way to adapt the new crcuirs
them.
The events OF the past two months have clearly m
Dictated that it possible and practicable to conduct
such submarine operations have characterized the
activity Of the imperial German navy within the so
called in substantial accord with the accepted
practice Of regulated warfare.
"The whole world has looked with interest and in
creasing satisfaction at the demonstration OF that pos
sibiity by German naval commanders It's manlIestN
possible therefore to lift the whole practice OF suona
rine attack above the criticism which it has aroused
and remove the chief causes OF ofense.
DisavowaI of Lusitania Attack Demanded.
Tn view Of the admission Of illegality made by the
imperial government when pleaded the right OF retail
iat0n In defense of its acts and IN OF the anfeS
possibility of conforming to the established rules OF
naval warfare the government of the United States
believe that the imperial government VIII longer
refrain from disavowng the want0n act OF It's naval
commander in sinking the Lusltanla or from offering
reparatOn Of the American lives lost so TAR as rePafa
ton be made for a needless destruction OF
human life by an illegal act
The government of the United States, while not
Indifferent the friendly spirit in which 1t 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 lie
gay prescribed
THE very agreement would by implication, subject
other vessels to Illegal attack and would be curtall
and therefore abandonment OF the principles
for which this government contends and which IN times
Of calmer cOunses every nation would concede as OF
course.
Both Nations Seek Freedom of Seas.
THE government of the United States and the i'm
pera1 German governmentare conending for the same
great object have long stood together urging the
very principles upon which the government Of the Unit
ed States solemnly insists. They are both con-
tending for the freedom Of the seas.
The government Of the United States will con
tnue to contend for that freedom from whatever quar-
ter violated, without compromise and at any cost
1T invites the practical cooperation OF the imperial
German government at this time when cooperation
may accomplish most and this great common object be
most strikingly and effectively achieved.
he imperial German government expresses the
hope that this object may be in some measure accom-
piished even before the present ends 1t can be
The government Of the United States not only
feels obliged insist upon it, by Whonsoever violated
OF gnored in the protection Of its citizens but IS
also deeply interested in seeing made practicable be
the belligerents themselves and holds itself
ready at any time to act as the common friend who
may be privileged to suggest way.
Observance of Neutral Rights Demanded
ain the meantime the very vauc which this govern
sets upon the long and unbroken friendship be
and the people and government OF the German nation
mpels press very solemnlv upon the imperial Ger
man government the necessity for scrupulOus Observ
Of neutral rights in this critical matter
Friendship itself prompts it to say to the imperial
government that repetition by the commanders Of Ger
naval vessels OF acts in contravention of those
rights must be regarded by the government Of the Unit
ed States when they affect American citizens de
hberately unfriendly. LANSINCI.'