The Spectator., 1915-07-13
OFFICIALS AT WASHINGTON
 VIEW REPLYAS INADEQUATE
Believe Germany Disclaimed Liability For the Loss of Americans in the lusitania Tragedy and Has Lightly Passed Over the Chief Principles.

Washington. Arrival of the press translation of the German note con- firmed impressions that Germany would refuse to give the assurances asked by the United States that the lives of Americans travelling the high seas on unarmed ships of any nation ality be not endangered.
 The apparent restriction placed by Germany on the use of American pas senser ships which are to be given complete immunity from interference only If they do not carry contraband. is regarded as adding another to the many issues which have arisen over submarine warfare. It Is believed Germany disclaimed liability for the loss of Americans in the Lusitania tragedy and has lightly passed over the chief principle for which the Unit ed States announced that it would omit mo word or act"
 The general feeling that the reply is unsatisfactory and will bring to crisis the friendly relations that have
  and Germany developed more strong ly among officials as news of the con- tents of the note spread
 The course of the United States is problematical. Many officials who are familiar with Germany's proposals as outlined by Ambassador Gerard, favor an emphatic assertion by the Ameri- can government that it intends to eX- ercise it's rights under international law, placing upon Germany the re- sponsibility for any violation that may cause a breach of friendly rels- tions
 Following is the press translation of the German reply to the American note concerning submarine warfare:
 Berlin.-"The undersigned has the honor to make the following re- ply to his excellency, Amabassa- dor Gerard, to the note of the 10th ul- timo, regarding the impairment oe American interests by the German submarine war. The imperial govern ment learned with satisfaction from
 
 ment of the United States is concern ed in seeing the principles of human ity realized in the present war. Also this appeal finds ready echo in Ger many and the imperial government is quite willing to permit it's statements and decisions in the present case to be governed by the principls of hu- manity just as it has done always.
 Humanity Always.
 "The imperial government welcomed with gratitude when the American government in the note of May Is it. self recalled that Germany had al ways permitted itself to he governed by the principles of progress and hu- manity in dealing with the law of maritime war. Since the time when Frederick the Great negotiated with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, the treaty of friend ship and commerce of September 9, 17S5, between Prussia and the repuh- lie of the West, German and Amerl- can statesmen have in fact always S stood together in the struggle for the freedom of the seas and for the pro- tection of peaceable trade. In the in- ternational proceedings which have since been conducted for the regula- ton of the laws of maritime war. Germany and America have jointly ad- vocated progressive principles. espe- cially the abolishment of the right of capture at sea and the protection os the interests of neutrals.
 Germany Willing to Restrictions.
 Even at the beginning of the pres ent war the German government im- mediately declared it's willingness in response to proposals of the Ameri- can government to ratify the declara- tion of London and thereby subject it self in the use of it's naval forces to all the restrictions provided therein in favor of neutrals. Germany like. wise has been always tenacious of the principle that war should be conduct ed against the armed and organized forces of an enemy country, but that the enemy civilian population must bo spared as far as possible from the measures of war. The imperial gov ernment cherishes the definite hope that some way will be found when t---~-~~~----~-->--~~---