The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-06-18

perform these duties with thorough
ness, the government of the United
States sincerely hopes that 1t win
submit that evidence for considera-
ton
Arguments Irrelevant.
Whatever may be the contention Of
the imperial German government re-
garding the carriage Of contraband OF
war on board the Lusitania or regard
ing the explosion of that material By
the torpedo, 1t need only be said that
in the view of this government these
contentious are irrelevant to the ques-
ton Of the legality of the methods
used by the German naval authorities
in sinking that vessel.
But the sinking of passenger ships
involves principles Of humanity which
throw into the background any special
circumstances OF detail that may be
thought to affect the cases. principles
which lift it, as the imperial govern
ment will no doubt be quick to recog-
nize and acknowledge, out of the class
of ordinary subjects of diplomatic dis
cussion or of international contro-
Yersy.
Whatever be the other facts re-
garding the Lusitania, the principal
fact is that great steamer, primarily
and chiefly a conveyance for passen-
gers and carrying more than thou
sand souls who had no part or lot IN
the conduct of the war, was torpedoed
and sunk without so much as chal
lenge or a warning, and that men,
women and children were sent to
| their death in circumstances unparal
| leled in modern warfare. The fact
| that more than one hundred Amer
| lean citizens we're among those who
| persisted make it the duty of the gov
eminent of the United States to speak
of these things and once more, with
solemn emphasis, to call the attention
| of the imperial German government
to the grave responsibility which the
government Of the United States con-
ceives that it has incurred in this
| tragic occurrence, and to the indis-
putable principle upon which that re-
sponsibility rests.
1.-THE government of the United
States is contending for something
much greater than mere rights of
property or privileges of commerce.
1t is contending for nothing less high
and sacred than the rights Of human
ity, which every government honors
itself in respecting and which no gov
eminent is justified in resigning on
behalf of those under its care and au-
thority. Only her actual resistance to
capture or refusal to stop when or
dered to do so for the purpose of visit
could have afforded the commander
of the submarine any justification
for so much as putting the lives OF
those on board the ship in jeopardy.
This principle the government OF the
United States understands the explicit
instructions issued on August 3, 1914,
by the imperial German admiralty to
its commanders at sea to have recog-
: nized and embodied, as do the naval
codes of all other nations; and upon
it every traveller and seaman has a
: right to depend. 1t is upon this prin-
eiple of humanity as well as upon the
law founded upon this principle that
the United States must stand.
Offer of Services.
1.-The government of the United
States is happy to observe that your
excellency's note closes with the init
nation that the imperial German gov
eminent is willing, now as before, 10
accept the good offices of the United
States in an attempt to come to an
understanding with the government OF
Great Britain by which the character
. and conditions of the war upon the
sea may be changed The government
!, of the United States would consider
!, it a privilege thus to serve its friends
: and the world. 1t stands ready at any
time 10 convey to either government
any intimation or suggestion the othel
may be willing to have it convey anC
cordially invites the imperial German
government to make use OF its sery
ices in this way at its convenience
The whole world is concerned in any
! thing that may bring about even par
tial accommodation of interests or Il
: any way mitigate the terrorS OF TINS
. present distressing conflict.
in the meantime, whatever ar
rangement may happily be made be
tween the parties TO the war, anC
Z whatever may in the opinion of tbs
!, imperial German government have
! been the provocation or the circum
stantial Justification for the past act!
|. of its commanders at sea, the govern
: ment of the United States contidentl,
: looks to see the justice and humanit,
: of the government of Germany vindi
: | Gated in all cases where American
have been wronged or their rights a
:. neutrals invaded.
1.-THE government of the Unlte'
: States therefore very earnestly AM
( very solemnly renews the representa-
tions of its note transmitted to tn
i imperial German government on tn
!. 18th of May. and relies in these req
: reservations upon the principles o
: humanity, the universally recognizes
: understandings of international Law
! and the ancient friendship of the Gel
: man nation.
Assertion of Rights.
d "The government of the Unite
i. States cannot admit that the procis
n nation of war zone from whic
L neutral ships have been warned t
d keep away may be made TO operate a
$ in any degree an abbreviation OF tn
I. rights either of American shipmaster
ii or of American citizens bound on Law
e full errands as passengers on merchan
q ships of belligerent nationality.
I bo frnnaria1 Coz