The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-06-19
TEXT OF AMERICAN NOTE TOGERMAN GOVERNMENT

by the torpedo, it need only be said
that in view of this government these
contentious are irrelevant to the ques-
tion Of the legality of the methods
used by the German naval authorities
in sinking the vessel
Humane Principles the Issue.
But the sinking Of passenger ships
involves principles of humanity which
throw into the background any spe
cial circumstances of detail that may
be thought to affect the cases, princi-
pies which lift it, as the imperial Ger
man government will not doubt be
quick to recognize and acknowledge,
out Of the class of ordinary subjects
of diplomatic discussion or Of inter
national controversy. Whatever be
the other facts regarding the Lusi-
tania, the principal fact is that
great steamer. primarily and chiefly
conveyance for passengers and car
rying more than 1000 souls who had
no part or lot in the conduct Of the
war, was torpedoed and sunk without
so much as a challenge or a warning,
and that men, women and children
were sent to their death in circum-
stances unparalleled in modern war.
fare.
Forced to Object.
The fact that more than 100 Ameri-
can citizens were among those who
perished made it the duty of the gov
ernment Of the United States to speak
Of these things and once more, with
solemn emphasis, to call the attention
Of the imperial German government to
the grave responsibility which the
government of the United States con-
ceiyes that it has incurred in this
tragic occurrence and to the undisput-
able principle upon which that respon-
sibility rests. The government of the
United State is contending for some
thing much greater than the rights Of
property or privileges of commerce 1t
is contending for nothing less high
and sacred than the rights of human
ity, which every government honors
itself In respecting and which no gov
ernment is justified in resigning on
behalf of those under its care and al
thority.
United States Ready to Help.
THE government of the United
States is happy to observe that your
excellency's note closes with the in
timation that the imperial German
government is willing, now as before.
to accept the good Offices of the
United States in an attempt to come
to an understanding with the govern
ment of Great Britain by which the
character and conditions of the war
upon sea may be changed. The gov
eminent of the United States would
consider it privilege thus to serve
its friends and the world.
Expects Justice Done.
"In the meantime whatever ar
rangement may happily we made be-
tween the parties to the war and what.
ever may, in the opinion of the i'm
perial German government have been
the provocation or the circumstantial
justification for the past acts Of Its
commanders at sea, the government OF
the United States confidently looks
to see the justice and humanity OF
the government OF Germany vindi
Gated in all cases where Americans
have been wronged or their rights as
neutrals invaded.
"The government Of the United
States therefore very earnestly and
very solemnly renews the representa-
tions of its note transmitted to the
imperial German government on the
18th Of May and relics on these repre-
sentations upon the principles Of hu
manity, the universally recognized un
derstandings of international law and
the ancient friendship of the German
nation.
Lives Must Be Respected.
"The government of the Unltet
States cannot admit that the procla
nation of a war zone from which neu
tral ships have been warned to keel
away may be made to operate as II
any degree an abbreviation Of th'
rights either of American shipmaster
or Of American citizens bound on law
full errands as passengers on mer
chantships of belligerent nationality
1t does not understand the imperia
German government to question thos
rights. 1t understands 1t also to &C
cept as established beyond question
the principle that the lives Of non
combatants cannot lawfully or right
fully be put in jeopardy by the car
:. ture or. destruction Of an unresistinl
/ merchantmen and to recognize the OF
!. legation to take sufficient precautiol
to ascertain whether suspected mel
chantman is in fact of belligerent nj
;. tionality or is in fact carrying contrs
band of war undsr a neutral flag. TIL
, government Of the United States
, therefore, deems 1t reasonable to e,
: pect that the imperial German go,
: ernment will adopt the measures ne'
essary to put these principles int
practice in respect Of the safeguardin
, OF American lives and American ship
and asks for assurances that this wi
| be done.
i Robert Lansing,
| Secretary of State ad interim"