Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1915-07-29


foreign office at Berlin by Ambassa-
dor Gerard:
The secretary of state to Ambas-
sador Gerard:
Department of State, Washington,
d. c., July Fl, 1916
You are instructed to deliver text
ually the following note to the minis
ter for foreign AFFAIRS:
Thenote of the Imperial German
government, dated the 9Th of July,
1915, has received the careful consid-
GRAFTON of the government of the
United States, and 1t regrets to be
obliged to say that 1t has found 1t
very unsatisfactory, because 1t fails
to meet the real difference between
the two governments and indicates no
way in which the accepted principles
OF law and humanity may be applied
in the grave matter In controversy,
but proposes, on the contrary, ar
rangements for a partial suspension
of those principles which virtually set
| them aside.
The government Of the United
| States notes with satisfaction that the
| Imperial German government recog-
mixes without reservation the validity
of the principles insisted on in the
! several communications which this
government has addressed to the I'm
perial German government with re-
| gard to its announcement Of a war
I zone and the use of submarines
[ against merchantmen on the high
! seas-the principle that the high seas
/ are free, that the character and cargo
of a merchantmen must first be as
, certained before she can lawfully be
seized or destroyed, and that the
lieves of noncombatants may in no
case be put in jeopardy unless the
i 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 retalia-
tory is an admission that It is Illegal.
The government of the United
States is, however, keenly disappoint-
ed to find that the Imperial German
government regards itself as in large
uSSIC6 lIOlI Lh0 ODA61lAOh "
observe these principles, even where
neutral vessels are concerned, by
what 1t believes the policy and prac-
tice of the government of Great Brit
ain to be in the present war with re-
gard to neutral commerce.
Illegal and lnhuman Acts.
The Imperial German government
will readily understand that the gov
eminent of the United States cannot
discuss the policy of the government
of Great Britain with regard to neu.
trail trade except with that govern
ment itself, and that 1t must regard
the conduct of other belligerent gov,
ernments as irrelevant to any discus.
sion with the Imperial German gov.
eminent OF what this government re
CARDS as grave and unjustifiable VIC
iations of the rights of American cit
liens by German naval commanders
Illegal and inhuman acts, however
justifable they may be thought to be
against an enemy who is believed tc
have acted in contravention of law
and humanity, are manifestly indefen
sible when they deprive neutrals Of
their acknowledged rights, particu
larly when they violate the right Of
life itself.
II a belligerent cannot retaliatC
against an enemy without injuring the
lives of neutrals, as well as their prop
erty, humanity as well as justice and
a due regard for the dignity of neutra
powers, should dictate that the prac
tice be discontinued.
II persisted in it would IN such cir
cumstances constitute an unpardon
able offense against the sovereignty
Of the neutral nation.
The government of the United
States Is not unmindful Of the extra
ordinary conditions created by thi
war or of the radical alterations o.
circumstances and method of nava
warfare which the nations of thu
, | world cannot have had in view wheI
the existing rules of international Law
were formulated, and 1t is ready u
make every reasonable allowance TO
these novel and unexpected aspect
, of war at sea; but 1t cannot eonsen
I oabate any essential or Fundamental
J right Of its people because Of mer'
alteration of circumstances. Tn,
rights Of neutrals in time Of war ar
based upon principle, not upon eS
pedency, and the principles are in
! mutable. 1t is the duty and obligation
) OF belligerents to find way to adap
{ the new circumstances TO them.
The events of the past two month
have clearly indicated that It is poss
e.~~e.@e~-~e~~~S~e@ ~~S~-~~~-~S~-~-N.N~~->
Some persons mental processes ar
3 30 highly refined that they cannot tax
a hold OF common-sense thoughts.--A
q bany Journal.