Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-07-15

GUY IA 4lS L1SL4lC4 dlAQl4 VI I GU AG4 y
I that the interests Of neutrals might
suffer from the submarine warfare.
However, the American government
will also understand and appreciate
that in the fight for existence which
has been forced upon Germany by its
adVersaTies, and announced by them,
II is the sacred duty Of the imperial
government to do all within its power
to protect and save the lives Of Ger
man subjects. If the imperial govern
ment were derelict in these, its duties,
il would be guilty before God and his
tory of the violation of those principles
Of highest humanity which are the
foundation Of every national existence.
The case Of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what
jeopardizing of human lives the man
ner Of conducting war employed by
our adversaries leads. In the most di-
rect contradiction of international law,
all distinctions between merchantmen
and war vessels have been obIiterated
by the order TO British merchantmen
to arm themselves and to ram subma-
rines and the promise Of rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chantmen as travellers thereby have
been exposed in an increasing degree
to all the dangers of war.
Defends Lusitania Sinking.
IF the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tania had caused the crew and passen-
gers to take to the boats before firing
a torpedo this would have meant the
sure destruction of his own vessel.
After the experiences in sinking much
smaller and less seaworthy vessels it
was to be expected that a mighty ship
like the Lusitania would remain above
water long enough even after the tor
pedoing to permit passengers to enter
the ships boats.
circumstances of a very peculiar
kind, especially the presence on board
of large quantities Of highly explosive
materials (word omitted, possibly
"dissipated") this expectation.
In addition, it may be pointed out
that if the Lusitania had been spared
thousands of cases of munitions would
have been sent to Germany's enemies
and thereby thousands of German
mothers and children robbed of bread
winners.
In the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the union and it's inhabi-
tants since the earliest days of it's
existence, the imperial government
will also be ready to do all it can
during the present war also, to pre-
vent the jeopardizing of lives of Amer
lean citizens.
The imperial government, there
fore, repeats the assurances that
American shipping will not be him
dered in the prosecution of legitimate
shipping and the lives of American
citizens in neutral vessels shall not
be placed in jeopardy.
Will Instruct Submarines.
In order to exclude any unfor-
seen dangers to American passenger
steamers, made possible in view of
the conduct of maritime war by Ger
many's adversaries, German subma-
rines will be instructed to permit the
free and safe passage of such pas
senger steamers, when made recogniz-
able by special markings and notified
a reasonable time in advance
THE imperial government, however,
confidently hopes that the American
government will assume to guarantee
that these vessels have no contraband
on board, details of arrangements for
the unhampered passage of these yes
sells to be agreed upon by the naval
authorities on both sides.
I'm order to furnish adequate IA
cilities for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens, the German
government submits for consideration
a proposal to increase the number of
available steamers by installing in
passenger service a reasonable num-
Der of neutral steamers under the
American flag, the exact number to
be agreed upon under the same con-
dition as the above mentioned Ameri-
can steamers.
The imperial government believes
it can assume that in this manner
adequate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri-
can citizens. There would, therefore,
appear no compelling necessity for
American citizens to travel to Europe
in time of war on ships carrying an
enemy flag. In particular, the impe-
rial government is unable to admit
that American citizens can protect an
enemy ship through the mere fact of
their presence on board.
Germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared
part Of the high seas an area of war.
Consequently, accidents suffered by
neutrals on enemy ships in this area
of war cannot well be judged differ
emily from accidents to which neutraIs
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, it should not be posi-
BILE for the American government to
acquire du 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
government, of four enemy passenger
steamers for passenger traffic between
North America and England.
Assurances of free and safe passage
for American passenger steamers
would then extend to apply under the