The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-07-30
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO
AMBASSADOR GERARD.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, July p, 1915.
You are instructed TO deliver text
ually the following note TO the Min
lister OF Foreign Affairs:
The note of the Imperial German
Government, dated July S, 1915. has
received the careful consideration Of
the Government of the United States,
and it regrets 10 be obliged 10 say that
it has found it very unsatisfactory, be-
cause il fails 10 meet the real differ
ences between the two Governments
and indicates no way in which the &C
cepted principles Of law and humanity
may be applied in the grave matter in
controversy, but proposes, on the con-
trary, arrangements for partial sus-
pension of these principles which viz
tually set them aside.
The Government of the United
States notes with satisfaction that the
Imperial German Government rec
ognizes without reservation the
validity Of the principles insisted on
in the several communications which
this Government has addressed 10 the
Imperial German Government with re
gard to its announcement Of war
zone and the use of submarines
against merchantmen on the high seas
h. I'LL - sc-h
free: that the character and cargo of
a merchantmen must first be ascer-
tanned before she can lawfully be
seized or destroyed. and that the lives
Of non-combatants may in no case be
put in jeopardy unless the vessel re-
sists 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 defense of an act as retaliatory is
an admission that it is illegal.
"KeenIy Disappointed" BY German
Stand.
The Government of the United
States is, however. keenly disappoint-
ed 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
it believes the policy and practice OF
the Government of Great Britain TO
be in the present war with regard TO
uonrroI The Tu,ra-fol
man Government will readily under
stand that the Government OF the
United States cannot discuss the policy
Of the Government Of Great Britain
with regard 10 neutral trade excep;
with that Government itself. and that
il must regard the conduct OF other
belligerent Governments as irrelevant
10 any discussion with the Imperial
German Government Of what this Gov
eminent regards as grave and IN
justihable violations Of The rights OF
American citizens by German naval
commanders Illegal and inhuman
acts. however !usufsble they may be
thought to be against an enemy who
1s believed 10 have acted il contra
vention OF Law and humanity. are
msnifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals OF their acknowledged
rights. particularly when they violate
the night 10 life itself II belligerent
canno- retsliste against an enemy
without tnjuring the lives OF neutrals
as vel as their property. humanity as
vel as justice and a due regard for
the dignity Of neutral powers should
dictate that The practice be discon-
t1nued Il persisted II. il would in
such Circumstances constitute an IN
psrdonzble ofense against the SOW
Eesgnty q the neutral nation affected
principles Are lnmutsbie."
TIE Government Of the United
States i 10; 1nmindtul OF the extraor-
1l1z-y eonditiO1s created by this war
q q the radical alterations OF cir
C-mKtznce and method Of attack pro-
cuced By the use Of instrumentalities
c. naval warfare which the nations Of
lie world cannot have had in view
When the existing rules Of information
Il Law were formulated. and il is ready
10 make every reasonable allowance
Tor these novel and unexpected aspects
q war a sea; but il cannot consent
10 sbste any essential or fundamental
right Of its people because Of mere
alteration Of circumstance. The rights
Of neutrals in time Of war are based
upon principle, not upon expediency,
and the principles are immutable II
Is the duty and obligation of belliger-
ents 10 find way TO adapt the new
circumstances TO them.
The events of the past two months
have clearly indicated that it is pos