The Harrison times., 1915-05-22

There was recently puplSheu III
the newspapers Of the United States,
| regret TO inform the imperial Ger
man government, a formal warning,
purporting to come from the imperial
German embassy at Washington, ad-
dressed to the people Of the Unitel
States and stating in effect that any
citizen Of the United States who eX
frcised his right Of free travel upon
the high seas would do SC at his
peril il his journey should take him
within the zone Of waters within
which the imperial German navy was
using submarines against the com-
merce Of Great Britain and France,
Notwithstanding the respectful but
very earnest protest Of the govern
Inent Of the United States.
Surprising IrreguIarity" Of Embassy.
81 do not refer to this for the pur-
pose Of calling attention Of the i'm
perial German government at this
time to the surprising irreguarity Of
q communication from the imperial
German embassy at Washington ad-
dressed to the people Of the United
State through the newspapers, but
only for the purpose Of pointing out
that no warning that an unlawful and
inhumane act would be committed
can possibly be accepted as an cXcuee
or palliation Of that act or as an
abatement Of the responsibility for it's
commitment.
Long acquainted as this govern
ment has been, with the character Of
the imperial German government and
with the high principles Of equity by
which in the past they have been ac-
tuated and guided, the government of
the United States cannot believe the
commanders of the vessels which
committed these acts Of lawlessness
did so except under a misapprehon-
sion OF the orders issued by the i'm.
perial German naval authorities, 1t
takes 1t for granted that at least
within the practical possibilities Of
every such case, the commanders
even OF submarines were expected TO
do nothing that would involve the
lies OF noncombatants or the safety
Of neutral ships even at the cost OF
failing Of their object Of capture or
destruction, 1t confidently expects,
therefore, that the imperial German
government will dsavow the acts OF
which the government Of the United
States complains; that they will
make reparation so rar as reparation
is possible for injuries which are
without measure and that they viii
take immediate steps to prevent the
recurrence Of anything so obviously
subverslye Of the principles o' war.
fare for which the imperial German
government IN the past have 30 wisely
and 80 firmly contended.
Expects Prompt Action.
"The government and people Of
tho United States look to the imperial
German government for just prompt
and enlightened action in this vital
matter with the greater confidence
because the United States AMI Ger.
many are bound together not only by
special ties Of friendship but also by
the explicit stpulations Of the treaty
Of 1928 between the United States
and the kingdom Of Prussia
Expressions Of regret and Offers Of
reparation In case OF the destruction
Of neutral ships sunk by mistake
while they may satisfy international
obligations II no loss Of lge results,
cannot Justify or excuse practice,
tho natural and necessary effoct Of
which is TO subject neutral nations
and neutral persons TO new and llA'
moOaurNblo risks
1.-THE imperial German government
win not expect the government ef
the United states TO omit any word or
any act necessary to the performance
Of its sacrod duty OF maintaining tho
rights Of the United States and It's
tree exercise and enjoyment
bryan"