Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-26
GERMANY'S ANSWER
! NOT TO Be HURRIED
Berlin Marks Time While
Watching for U. S. Warning
to England.
DOUBT SIMILAR STERNNESS
IN SEIZURE PROTESTS
German Press Resents Note. Attrib-
uting Its Tone to Pro-Brit-
ish Agitators.

uI1ng 1JS lone 10 1IO.0IlG'
ish Agitators.
BERLIN. July IS. via London. 1855
am.-There is every indication that
considerable time will elapse before the
German government makes any attempt
to answer the latest American note on
the sinking of the Lusitania- Shoulo
the United States protest to Great
Britain in regard to restrictions placed
upon shipping. which 1t is reported here
Is now being formulated, be coucneo IN
firm tones it is considered possible the
German reply would not be brusque.
In the absence of evidence that the
United States intends to force Great
Britain to abandon the policy Germany
considers illegal, condemnation OF Pres
ident Wilson's note is universal. nope
has not been abandoned. however tnal
the United States may intend 10 assam
vigorously Great Britain's methoos oi
controlling the sea. Until this point be-
comes clear the Berlin foreign ONCE
probably will mark time.
German Comment on Note.
unfavorably by the German newspa-
nars in which it was printed Sunday
morning.
The Vossische Zeitung in a long edi-
toral, says:
The refusal to accept Germany's prac-
+ieaI proposal to protect American pas
senrers shows an absolute lack or reaoi-
ness to understand the German stanopolnt.
The principle that belligerent states must
h IA a
the fullest sense. as it would mean anol.
cation to neutral states. 1t is true tnat
belligerents must respect neutral rights,
but only provided neutrals do everything
to prevent their citizens getuhs iii.o
situations where protection is Impossible
VICTORY over the enemy is the supreme
law for every belligerent. Those VINO
render more difficult this task thail oU r
International law support the enemy. Inc
war on land has shown clearly that re-
remains within a beleaguered fortress or
walks into a gunfire zone risks his nfe
without the right Of protection from MS
home government.
Freedom Of the Seas.
1.-The same also is true of naval warfare
In spite Of the mistaken phrase freedom
of the seas It is granted that the ocean
IN free for peaceful travel. but naval bat
tlss also take place on it. Neutral ships
sailing between fighting battleships run
the risk of being hit by shells and also OF
being struck by mines. The submarine
only instruments are the nrln9 OF tor-
pedoes.
Those who demand that Germany
should conduct the war according to rules
laid down by some academic professors
expect Germany either to endanger her
submarines or to give up this warfare.
which means the weakening OF Germany
in the interest Of her enemy. This il not
neutrality, but partisanship against Ger
many.
1--WE know today that the passengers
COT the Lusitania) could have been saved.
but that they were neglected. Germany re-
grets their death, but she has q clean
conscience and has no reason to disap-
prove Of the conduct Of her submarine
commanders.
Germany Can Concede No More.
president Wilson considers the
further torpedoing Of British warships
carrying American passengers a de-
liberately unfriendly act. While Ger
many always Is glad to respect Ameri-
can friendship she has conceded every
thing that can be conceded. One bit
more would be considered humiliating
by the German whose armies have been
VlCIOIlOu6 upon ALI the OdttlSuSlQS III
the east and in the west
The Vossische Zeitung says that
Germany's courteous proposals have
not been able to change the Presidents
obstinacy. and that from his standpoint
he not only rejects all proposals, but
clothes the rejection in a form that is
anything but friendly.
Whoever plans such a thing" the
Vossische Zeitung continues. fs no
longer neutral. but takes sides against
Germany and for its enemies"
Defends Sinking Of Lusitania.
The newspaper defends the sinking
OF the Lusitania. which it terms a war
ship. and says that a different course
cannot be followed toward a warship
simply because Americans are on
board.
The Vossische Zeitung adds that the
note further shows that not only is
President Wilson's policy In the matter
OF the German submarine policy in
England, but also by the internal
political situation in the United States.
The only answer to the concluding
paragraph OF the note, says the news
paper, lis that American citizens have
1t in their own power to avoid danger
The Tagliche Runschau and the
Kreuz Zeitung similarly declare that
the American note calls for the most
$1,000 SpPooisioi, anu tudt IL requires
Great Britain to show at least ar
equal respect for the spirit Of interna-
tional law as the President demands
from Germany.
The Tageblatt says:
The note shows clearly that the
american government cares more for
the gripping of our submarine war
than for the safeguarding of American
lives. The United States must realize
that to change our submarine warfare
Is out OF the question. The note proves
an upper hand in President Wilson,
circle. We hope the common sense of
the American people will prevent citi-
zens from serving as protection for
English munition ships"
The Tages Zeitung writes: "Neutrals
have rights, but so also has a great
nation lighting for its life. Though
maintaining submarine warfare, Ger
many always Is willing to respect the
Justifable wishes of Americans, but
not at any price"
Demands Sharp Disagreement.
The Kreuz zeitung declares that al
most every sentence in the note Dc.
mands a sharp disagreement It add,
that 1t may be supposed that the Ger
man government will stamp az q mis-
understanding the statement that it ha,
acknowledged a. . principle Of Law
that the character and cargo Of a mer
chant ship must be established before
the ship can be destroyed. and that thu
lives of non -combatants may in no cas-
be endangered unless the vessel at
tempts to fee or to resist.