The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-05-14
EMERCHANTMEN, NEUTRALS
MUST NOT BE ATTACKED
Continued From Page One.)


American public without officially
communicating them to the United
States government is commented on
in connection with the German en-
| bassy's printed advertisement before
the sailing of the Lusitania, but, ir-
respective of the failure to advise the
American government of Germany's
purpose, tie point is made that notice
Of an intention to do an unlawful act
neither justifes nor legalizes it.
8. The suggestion is conveyed that
the German government of course
could not have intended to destroy
innocent lives and that consequently
the German submarine commanders
must have misunderstood their in
structions. The American government
indicated its hope tdat this Will be
found to be true, and cessation Of
the unlawful practices thereby will
result.
! 9. In conclusion Germany's atten-
ton is called to the earnestness Of the
) government and people of the United
States in this situation. 1t is made
plain that the United States will leave
; nothing undone either in diplomatic
representations or action to obtain a
compliance by Germany to tie re-
quests made.
Friendly But Firm.
The note throughout is couched in
friendly tones, but is Enthusiastically
firm. The suggestion tnat German
submarine commanders must have
misunderstood their instructions or
that the German government could not
have intended to destroy innocent lives
room is given for a disavowal by Ger
many of the practices in the war zone
and an assurance that future attacks
will be prohibited
In executive quarters intense inter-
est prevailed today and news of wnat
the American note contained was
! eagerly sought in the government de-
partment and in diplomatic circles
generally.
Some international lawyers ana zip
lomats who have followed closely Ger
manys course since toe beginning. OF
the submarine warfare were of tie
opinion that a compliance by Germany
with the terms of the American note
would not be surprising, and even
that such a course would not be de-
parture from previous expressions.
Not By Bargain.
Germany has maintained, it was
/ contended, that the submarine activ-
ity was begun only because England
would not permit foodstuffs and con-
ditional contraband destined to civil
ians to reach Germany. and because
! the neutrals by their protests mad been
powerless to effect an adherence to
the rules of international law by the
allies in questions of contraband.
Should Germany announce her inten-
tion to abandon submarine warfare, it
was believed by some diplomats, she
would not necessarily make a stipu-
lation, but would state ther expectation
taat the United States as the greatest
neutral, would secure equal guaran-
tees from the allies on question of
contraband.
In the event that Germany took the
opposite course and refused to comply
with the wishes of the United States,
high officials declined to predict wnat
steps would be taken beyond indi-
eating that the Washington govern
ment would deal with each develop
ment in the situation as it arose.
No Special Instructions.
Reports that Americans had been
advised to leave Germany on account
of the critical state of relations with
the United States were declared to be
wholly unfounded by officials.
Americans in all belligerent coun-
tries were advised by the state de-
partment at the outbreak Of Iaostilities
to leave the danger zones and no spe-
eial instructions have been given since
to American enEoys in\Europe.
Messages continued to food the
white house and state department to-
| day suggesting various lines of policy.
Conspicuous among these was a per-
sonal letter from former President
Taft expressing his confidence in and
support of Mr.. Wilson in the situation.
He gave lis own suggestions of what
81 ould be done by the United States,
which it was said did not differ ma