Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-22

tlldt lilC lChl Vi tIlc 1lCtc WOulQ DC
given out here Friday afternoon
for publication in morning papers
of Saturday. Then will follow a
period of waiting until reply is
received.
As to U-Boat Activity.
Concerning future conduct of German
submarines. the note does not necessa-
rily call for an answer, as it announces
the intention of the United States to
regard any further violation of inter
national law, resulting in the loss of
American lives as unfriendly
On the other hand. the American de-
mands for disavowal of any intention
to sink the Lusitania and the request
for reparation are renewed in the new
note. and very likely those. with other
points. such as the willingness of the
United States to act as an interme-
diary between the belligerents to ad-
just the rules of maritime warfare,
probably Will be the basis for further
discussion by Germany.
An answer is not expected for at
least two or three weeks on those
phases 1t Is generally agreed among
officials here, however, that any loss of
American lives in the meantime would
in itself raise the question of action ir-
respective Of any formal reply from
Germany.
Final Statement of Principles.
The American note is in the nature
OF a fnal statement on the principles
involved. in which the United States
takes the unalterable position that the
accepted rules of international law
must govern the rights of neutrals, ir-
respective of retaiiatory measures of
the belligerents against one another.
What action would be taken by the
United States in the event of further
violation of American rights is not dis
closed in the new note, nor was it Of
ficially commented on otherwise here
today, but general understanding
prevails that another disaster such as
befell the Lusitania would mean the
immediate assembling of Congress.
Responsibility on Germany.
President Wilson has given careful
consideration to eventualities to which
the new American note may commit
the United States and he believes it
places sIuarely on Germany RESPONSE
bhity for any act that may cause a
rupture.
lHeTe IS now no lnulcatlOn the IuSt-
tania case Itself will cause rupture,
but the President has determined to
keep that subject in the forefront as
diplomatic issue of first importance
between the two countries. Pressure
for settlement will be renewed from
time to time and if not adjusted by the
end of the European war will con-
tinue to impend in the relations be-
| tween the United States and Germany
very much as did the Alabama case in
~ $aj
the United States after the civil war.
Points in the Communication.
Among the points in the new note
are:
l. 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 unresistins mer-
chantmen without warning is illegal.
2. German submarine commanders
already have proved that they can save
| the passengers and crews of vessels
and can act in conformity with the
| laws of humanity in making war on
enemy ships
3. The United States cannot allow
| the relations between the belliSerents
to operate In any way as an abbreyia-
| tion of the rights of neutraIs, and
| therefore any violation of the princi-
pies for which the american govern
| ment contends. resulting in a loss of
| American lives. will be viewed as .'un-
| friendly"
! 4. The representations which the
| American government has made in pre-
| vious notes for disavowal of the in
| tention to sink the Lusitania with
! Americans aboard and the request for
reparation are reiterated with renewed
| insistence.
Willing to Act as Intermediary.
5. 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 intermediary as
between the belligerents to arrange a
modus vivendi or any other temporary
| arrangements which do not involve u
surrender by the United States of its
rights.
| g. The proposals made by Germany
to give immunity to American ships
not carrying contraband and to four
l (C.ontk,uAd on 9Aoond PaRAl