The Harrison times., 1915-07-17


bued towards the Union and its in.
habitants since the earliest days Of its
existence, the imperial government al
ways will be ready to do all 1t can
during the present war also to prevent
the jeopardizing Of lives OF American
citizens. The imperial government
therefore, repeats the assurance that
American ships will not be hindered
in the prosecution Of American ship
ping and the lives Of American citi-
zens on neutral vessels shall not be
placed in jeopardy.
"In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steaI-
ers made possible in view of the con
duct of maritime war by Germany's
adversaries, German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by spe.
cial markings and notified a reason
able time in advance. The imperial
government, however, confidently
hopes that the American government
win assume to guarantee that these
vessels have no Contraband on board,
details of arrangement for the uu-
hampered passage of these vessels TO
be agreed upon by the naval author.
tiles of both sides.
For Neutral Passenger Service.
In order to furnish adequate facili.
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German gov
ernment submits for consideration the
proposal to increase the number Of
available steamers by installing in
passenger service reasonable num-
ber of neutral steamers under the
American flag, the exact number to be
agreed upon under the same condition
as the above mentioned American
steamers.
"The imperial government believes
| II can assume that in this manner ad.
equate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri.
can citizens. There would, therefore,
appear to be no compelling >ecessty
Of American citizens to travel to Eu-
rope in time Of war on ships carrying
an enemy flag, In particular the i'm.
perial government is unable to admit
that American citizens can protect an
enemy ship through the mere fact OF
their presence on board.
American Flags on Enemy Ships.
I Germany merely followed Eng.
lands example when she declared part
Of the sea an area Of war. Conse-
luently, accidents suffered by neutrals
on enemy ships in the area Of war
cannot well be judged differently from
accidents to which neutrals are at all
times exposed at the seat of war on
land when they betake themselves
into dangerous localities in spite Of
previous warnings, If, however II
should not be possible for the Ameri.
can government to acquire an ade.
Quate number of neutral passenger
steamers, the imperial government Is
prepared to interpose no objections to
the placing under the American flag
| by the American government Of four
enemy passenger steamers for pas.
scnger traffic between North America
and England Assurances Of free and
safe passage for American passenger
steamers would extend to apply under
thc Identical conditions to these for.
morly hostile passenger steamers,
Hopes for Understanding
"Thc president Of the United states
has declared his readiness In n 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 well ~ In the direction Of
the lofty ideal OF the freedom Of the
seas, will lead to an understanding,
"Tho undersigned requests the am.
b0ssOdor to bring the above TO the
knowledge Of the American govern
ment, and ayails himself Of the oppof'
tunty to renew to his oXcellency the
assurance Of his most distinguished
consideration
(Signed) "Von Jagow,"