The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-07-27


(Telegram.)
| Department of State,
Washington, July 21, 1915.
You are instructed to deliver text
ually the following note to tie minis
ter for foreign affairs:
Last Note Unsatisfactory.
The note of the imperial German
government dated the Sth of July, 1915,
has received the careful consideration
of the government of the United States
and it regrets to be obliged to say that
it has found it very unsatisfactory,
because it fails to meet the real diff
ferences between tie two governments
and indicates no way in which the ac-
cepted principles of law and humanity
may be applied in the grace matter in
controversy, but proposes on the con-
trary, arrangements for partial sus-
pension of these principles which vir-
tually set them aside.
The government of the United States
notes with satisfaction that the i'm
perial German government recognizes
without reservation the validity of the
principles which this government had
addressed to the imperial German gov
ernment with rega I'd to its announce
ment of a war zone and the use OF
submarines against merchantmen on
the Sigh seas-the principle that the
high seas are free, that the character
and cargo OF a merchantmen must
first be ascertained before she can
lawfully be seized or destroyed, and
that the lives of noncombatants may in
no case be put in jeopardy unless the
vessel resists or seeks to escape after
being summoned to submit to examin-
alton; for a belligerent act of retalia-
ton is per Sc an act beyond the law,
and the defense of an act as retaliatory
is an admission that it is illegal.
America Disappointed.
The government of the United States
is, however, keenly disappointed to
find that the imperial German gov
ernment regards itself as in large de-
gree exempt from the obligation to OBJ
serve these principles, even where
neutral vessels are concerned, by what
it believes tie policy and practice Of
the government of Great Britain to be
in the present war with regard to neu-
trail commerce. The imperial German
government will readily understand
that the government of the United
States can not discuss the policy OF
the government of Great Britain with
regard to neutral trade except with
the government itself, and that it must
regard the conduct of other belligerent
governments as irrelevant to any dis
cussion with the imperial German gov
ernment of what this government re-
CARDS as grave and unjustifable vio-
lations of the rights of American citi-
zens by German naval commanders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however JUS
tifable they may be thought to be
against an enemy who is believed to
have acted in contrayention of law and
humanity, are manifestly indefensible
when they deprive neutrals of their
acknowledged rights, particularly
when they violate the right of life it
self. If a belligerent can not retaliate
against an enemy without injuring the
lives of neutra1s, as we'll as their
property, humanity and justice and
due regard for the dignity Of neutral
powers should dictate that the prac-
tice be discontinued.
'EUnpardOnable Offense."
"If persisted in it would in such cir
cumstances constitute an unpardon-
able offense against the sovereignty OF
the neutral nation affected. The gov
erament of the United States is not
unmindful of the extraordinary con-
ditions created by this war or of the
radical alterations of circumstances
and method of attack produced by the
use of instrumentalities of naval war
fare which the nations of the world
can not have had in view when the
existing rules of international law
were formulated, and is ready to make
every reasonable allowance for these
novel and unexpected aspects Of war
at sea! but it can not consent to abate
any essential or fundamental right OF
it's people because of mere altera-
ton of circumstances. Tie rights of
neutrals in time of war are based upon
principles, not upon expediency, and
the principles are immutable. It is the
oe m