The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-07-30

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ls tne ohioiai
text of the latest American note to Germany
regarding submarine warfare:
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
TO AMBASSADOR GERARD.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON
You are instructed to deliver textually the
following note to the Minister for Foreign AT
fairs
The note of the Imperial German Govern
ment dated the Sth of July, 1915, has received
the careful consideration OF the Government
of the United States, and it regrets to be
obliged to say that it has found it very un-
satisfactory, because it fails to meet the real
differences between the two governments and
indicates no way in which the accepted prin
cples OF law and humanity may be applied in
the grave matter in controversy. but proposes
on the contrary. arrangements for partial
suspension of those principles which virtually
set them aside.
The Government of the United States notes
with satisfaction that the Imperial German
Government recognizes without reservation
the validity Of the principles insisted on In the
several communications which this Govern
ment has addressed to the Imperial German
Government with regard to its announcement
of war zone and the use of submarines
against merchantmen on the high seas-the
principle that the high seas are free, that the
character and cargo of a merchantmen must
first be ascertained before she can lawfully
be seized or destroyed, and that the lives of
noncombatants may in no case be put in
jeopardy unless the vessel ressts or seeks to
escape after being summoned to submit to
examination, for belligerent act of retaliation
is per sc an act beyond the law and the de-
tense of an act as retaatory is an admission
that it is illegal.
The Government of the United States is,
however, keenly disappointed to find that the
Imperial German Government regards itself as
in large degree exempt from the obligation to
observe these principles even where neutral
vessels are concerned, by what 1t believes the
policy and practice of the Government of Great
Britain to be in the present war with regard
to neutral commerce.
The Imperial German Government will
readily understand that the Government OF the
United States cannot discuss the policy Of the
Government of Great Britain with regard to
neutral trade except with that Government
oe
other bellgerent governments as irrelevant to
any discussion with the Imperial German Gov.
ernment of what this Government regards as
grave and unjustifable violations of the rights
of American citizens by German naval COM
manders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however justi6.
able they may be thought to be against an
enemy who is believed to have acted in con-
travention of law and humanity, are manifestly
indefensible when they deprive neutrals 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 neutrals.
as we'll as their property humanity as well as
justice and due regard for the dignity of
neutral Powers. should dictate that the prac-
tice be discontinued. II persisted in It would
in such circumstances constitute an unpardon.
able ofense against the sovereignty of the neu.
trail nation affected.
The Government of the United States is
not unmindful Of the extraordinary conditions
created by this war or of the radical altera.
tons of circumstance and method Of attack
produced by the use Of instrumentalites of
naval warfare which the nations of the world
cannot have had in view when the existing
rules Of international law were formulated. and
IL is ready to make every reasonable allowance
for these novel and unexpected aspects Of war
at sea, but II cannot consent to abate any