Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-13

pecially the presence on board OF
large quantities of highly explosive
materials (word omitted, possibly
'dissipated,O this expectation. In ad'
ultlon II may be pointed out that II the
Lusitania had been spared thousands
of cases of munitions would have beer
sent to Germany's enemies and there
by thousands or German mothers ano
children robbed Of breadwinners.
In the spirit Of friendship where
win the German nation has been
imbued towards the Union and its IN
habitants since the earliest days OF lts
will always be ready to do all IT car
during the present war also to prevent
the jeopardizing Of lives of American
citizens. The imperial goVernmen,
therefore repeats the assurance thai
American ships will not be hindereo
i'm the prosecution OF legitimate
shipping and the lives Of American
citizens in neutral vessels shall moi
be placed in jeopardy.
In order to exclude any unfore-
seen dangers to American passenger
steamers, made possible in view of the
conduct of marine war by Germany
adyersaries, German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage Of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by special
marks and notified reasonable time
in advance. The imperial government
however, confidently hopes that the
American government will assume to
guarantee that these vessels have nc
contraband on board, details OF ar
rangement for the unhampered pas
sage of these vessels to be agreed on
by the naval authorities Of both sides
In order to furnish adequate facili-
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German gov
ernment submits for consideration a
proposal to increase the number of
available steamers by installing in pas
senger service q reasonable number OF
neutral steamers under the American
flag, the exact number to be agreed
upon under the same condition as the
above mentioned American steamers.
1.-The imperial government believes
it can assume that in this manner ade-
quate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri-
can citizens. There would, therefore,
appear to be no compelling necessity
for American citizens to travel to Eu-
rope in time Of war on ships carrying
an enemy flag.
In particular Tile iihpSiioi 6ofSih
ment is unable to admit that American
citizens can protect an enemy ship
through the mere fact Of their pres
ence on board.
Germany merely followed England's
example when she declared parts of
the high sea an area of war. Conse-
auently, accidents suffered by neutrals
on enemy ships in this area Of war
cannot we'll be judged differently from
accidents to which neutralS are at all
times exposed at the seat OF war on
land when they betake themselves
within dangerous localities in spite of
previous warnings.
IF, however, it should not be pos
sible for the American government to
acquire an adequate number of neu-
trail passenger steamers, the imperial
government is prepared to interpose
no objections to the placing under the
American flag by the American gov
ernment of four enemy passenger
steamers for passenger traffic between
North America and England. Assur-
ances of free and safe passage for
American passenger steamers would
extend to apply under the identical
pro conditions to these formerly hos
tile passenger steamers.
1.-The president Of the United States
has declared his readiness in 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 we'll as in the direction Of the
lofty ideal Of the freedom Of the seas,
will lead to an understanding.
1.-The undersigned requests the am
bassador to bring the above to the
knowledge Of the American govern
ment and avails himself Of the op-
portunity to renew to his excellency
the assurance of his most distinguish
ed consideration.
(Signed) won JAGOW."