The Blackfoot optimist., 1915-07-15

as much as possible, the German gov
ernment recognized unreservedly In It's
Of Feb. 4 that the inter
ests Of neutrals might suffer from the
submarine warfare. However, the
American government viii aslo under
stand and appreciate that in the fight
for existence which has been forced
upon Germany by its adversaries and
announced by them, It Is the sacred
duty Of the imperial government to
do all within its power to protect and
save the lives Of German subjects. II
the imperial government were derhct
in these, its duties, It would be guilty
Of the violation Of those principles Of
highest humanity, which are the foun-
dation Of every national existence.
Case Of tho LusiSania.
The case Of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what jeop-
ardizing Of human lives the manner Of
conducting war employed by our ad-
versaries leads In the most direct
contradiction Of International Law, all
distinction between merchantmen and
war vessels has been obhterated by
the order to British merchant men to
arm themselves and to ram submar-
ines, and the promise Of rewards there
for, and neutrals who use merchantmen
as travellers thereby have been exposed
by an increasing degree to all the
dangers of war.
If the commander Of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tania had caused the crew and pas
[sengers to take to the boats before fir
ing torpedo, this would have meant
the sure destruction Of his own vessel.
After the experiences in sinking much
smaller and less seaworthy vessels, 1t
was to be expected that mighty ship
like the Lusitania would remain
above water long enough even after
the torpedoing to permit passengers to
enter the ships boats. Circumstances
|of q peculiar kind, especially the pres
ence on board Of large quantities Of
highly explosive material defeated
this expectation.
In addition it may be pointed out
that II the Lusitania had been spared
thousands Of cases Of munitions would
have been sent to Germany's enemies
and thereby thousands Of German
mothers and children robbed Of bread
winners.
In the spirit Of friendship wherewith
the German nation has been imbued
towards the union and its inhabitants
since the earliest days Of its existence,
the imperial government will always
be ready to do all it can during the
present war, also to prevent the jeop-
ardixing Of lives Of American citizens.
The imperial government, therefore,
repeats tho assurances that American
ships will not be hindered in the prose
cution Of legitimate shipping and the
lives Of American citizens in neutral
vessels shall not be placed in jeopardy.
aermany's Proposal.
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers, made possible in view Of the con-
duct Of maritime war by Germany q
adversaries, German submarines VIII
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage Of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by special
markings and notified a reasonable
time in advance. The imperial govern
mont, however, confidently hopes that
the American government win assume
. guarantee that these vessels have No
contraband on board, details Of ar.
rangement for the unhampered pass
age Of these vessels to be agreed upon
by the naval authorities Of both sides
In order to furnish adequate facin
ties for travel across the Atlantic TO,
American citizens the German gov
ernment submits for consideration .
proposal to increase the number oi
available steamers by installing IL
passenger service reasonable mum
ber Of neutral steamers under tn,
American flag, the exact number to b,
agreed upon under the same condition
- the above mentioned American
steamers.
The imperial government believes Il
can assure that in this manner ado
quate facilities for travel across tn,
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri
can citizens. There would, therefore
appear to be NO compelling necessit.
for American citizens to travel t,
Europe In time for war on ships carry
ing an enemy flag. In particular th'
imperial government is unable to ad