Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-07-30

Great Britain with regard to neutral
trade except with that government
itself, and that it must regard the
conduct of other belligerent govern
ments as irrelevant TO any discussion
with the imperial German govern
ment OF what this government re-
CARDS as grave and unjustifiable vio-
latlons of the rights of American cit
liens by German naval commanders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, how
ever justifiable they may be thought
lieved to have acted in contravention
of law and humanity. are manfestly
indefensible when they deprive neu-
trails of their acknowledged rights,
particularly when they violate the
right to life itself. If belligerent
cannot retaliate against an enemy
without injuring the lives of neu-
trails, as we'll as their property, hui
mainly, as we'll as justice and a due
regard for the dignity of neutral
powers, should dictate that the prac-
tice be discontinued. If persisted in
it would in such circumstances con-
stitute an objectionable offense
against the sovereignty of the neu-
trail nation affected. The govern
ment of the United States is not I'M
mindful of the extraordinary condi-
lions created by this war or of the
radical alterations of circumstances
and method of attack produced by
the use of the instrumentalities of
naval warfare which the nations of
the world cannot have had in view
when the existing rules of internal
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 it's people !
because of mere alteration of cir
The rights of neutrals in
time of war are based upon principle,
not upon eXpediency, and the prin-
ciples are immutable. 1t is the duty
aud obligation of belligerents to find
a way to adapt the new circumstances
to them.
Humane Conduct Possible.
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 imperial
German navy within the so-called
war zone in substantial accord with
the accepted practices of regulated
warfare. The whole world has looked
with interest and increasing satisfac-
ton at the demonstration of that pos
sibility by German naval command
ers. 1t is manifestly possible, there
fore, to lift the whole practice of sub
marine attack above the criticism
which it has aroused and remove the
chief causes of offense.
In view of the admission of ille-
gality made by the imperial govern
ment when it pleaded the right of
in defense of it's acts and
in view of the manifest possibility of
to the established rules
Of naval warfare, the government of
the United States cannot believe that
the imperial government will longer
refrain from disavowing the wanton
act of it's naval commander in sinking
the Lusitania or from offering repair
alton for the American lives lost, so
far as reparation can be made for
needless destruction of human life by
an illegal act. 4
Suggestion Is Rejected.
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 implica-
ton, subject other vessels to illegal
attack and would be a curtailment
and therefore an abandonment of the
for which this government
contends and which in times of
calmer counsel every nation would
concede as of course.
The government of the United
States and the Imperial German gov
are eontending for the same
great object, have long stood together
in urging the very principles upon
which the government of the United
States now so solemnly insists. They
are both contending for the freedom
Of the seas. The government Of the
United States will continue to con-
tend for that freedom, from whatever