The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-07-30
U.S.sEnDS STRONG
NOTE TO GERMkI,r
THERE WILL az NO COMPROMISE
OF OUR NEUTRAL RIGHTS,
SAYS WILSON.
CRISIS PRESENTER
washington Notifies Berlin That Any
Further Violation Of Our Rights
Viii BE Considered Delhi
orately U~nfriendIy."

Washington.-The American note on
submarine warfare, presented at Ber-
lin July % by Ambassador Gerard,
was made public here. It reveals that
Germany hi been Informed it is the
intention of the United States to re.
gard as deliberately u~nfriendly" any
repetition by German naval command
ers Of acts in contravention of Ameri-
car rights.
Among the points in the new note
are
First-The assumption by the United
States that Germany, by declaring her
submarine warfare to be a retaliatory
measure against the alleged unlawful
acts of her enemies, has admitted that
the destruction of unresisting mer-
chantment without warning is illegal.
Second German submarine COM
manders already have proven that
they al save the passengers and
crews of vessels and can act in con-
formity with the laws Of humanity in
making val on enemy's ships.
ThirdAThe United States cannot al
low the relations between the bellig-
erents to operate in any way as ar
abbreviation of the rights of neutrals
and therefore any violation Of the
principles for which the American
government contends, resulting in a
loss of American lives, will be viewed
as "~unfrinedly."
Fourth-The representations which
the American government has made
in previous notes for disavowal Of the
intention to sink the Lusitania with
Americans aboard n he request for
reparatiOn are reiterated with re-
newed insistence.
Fifth-The American government
realizes the unusual and abnormal
conditions which the present conflict
has created in the conduct of maritime
war and is willing to act as an inter-
mediary as between the belligerents to
arrange a modus vivendi or any other
temporary arrangements which do not
involve a surrender by the United
States of It's rights.
Sixth-The proposals made by Ger
many to give immunity. to American
ships not carrying c~ontraband and to
-four belligerent ships under the Amer
lean flag are rejected with the en-
phatic assertion that to accept such
q suggestion would be to admit Ger
many's right to set aside the Ameri-
can contention based on fundamental
principles in International law-that
neutrals may travel anywhere on the
high seas on unresisting ships of any
nationality, ever If carrying contra
band.
Text Of the Note.
"The Secretary of State to Ambassa,
dor Gerard. !.
Department Of State,
washington, July FL, 1915.
"You are Instructed to deliver text.
ually the following note to the minis.
ter of foreign affairs:
1.-THE note of the imperial 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
1t has found it very unsatisfactory, be-
cause 1t fails to meet the real differ
ences between the two governments
and indicates no way In which the ac
cepted principles Of law and humanity
may be applied in the grave matter In
controversy, but proposes, on the con
trary, arrangements for a partial sus
pension of those principles which vir
tually set them aside.
"The government Of the United
States notes with satisfaction thai
the imperial German government
recognizes without reservation the
validity Of the principles insist
ed on in the several communica
lions which this government has ad
dressed to the. imperial German gov
eminent with regard to its announce
ment af a val o and the use OF sub
marines against merchantmen ON The
high seas-the principle that .the-hig
sea- are free, that the character ani
cargo Of q merchantmen must hfst bt
ascertained before she can lawfully sbl
seized or destroyed and that the live.
OF noncombatants may in no. case bl
put in JEOPARDY unless the vessefresist
or seeks TO escape after being sum
moned to submit to examination; for
belligerent act OF retaliation is per 3,
! an act beyond the law, and the de
Tense Of an act rs retaliatory is us,ad
mission that Il issnIegai. 8
cant Change Neutral Rights.
''The government Of the Unitei
States is, however. keenly disappoint
cd to md that the imperial German
government regards itself az IN ! larg,
j degree exempt from the Obligation t
observe these principles. even. wher,
! neutral vessels are concerned, by wha
! Il believes the policy and practicp Q
the government Of Crest Britain 4
Be In the present var with regard Z
neutral commerce.
= The imperial German s0vern1neu
J Vim readily understand that the 80,
eminent of the United States canno
discuss he policy Of the eovernmen
Berlin . silent.
Balln.-Thxfsu-oe1ch q sthoefol
J Sign offce who have seen the la4ea
. American no1e conserving Cerpa9ys
euhmartno WaxfnrA which ms delis
- nsasSxH e e szsgYss