The Washington times., 1915-05-14
Text of President Wilson's Note
To the German Government
lent Wilson's note transmitted to the German

visit merchantmen at sea and examine her paper:
and cargo 1t is practically impossible for them tt
make prize of her. and, if they can not put prize
crew on board Of her. they can not sink her withou
leaving her crew and all on board Of her to the mercy
of the sea in her small boats These facts it is under
stood the Imperial German Government frankly admit
We are informed that in the instances Of which We
have spoken time enough for even that poor
OF safety was not given, and in at least two Of the
cases cited not so much a warning was received
Manifesty submarines can not be used against mer
chantmen as the last few weeks have shown, withou
an inevitable violation OF many sacred principles o.
justice and humanity
American citizens act within their indisputabls
rights in taking their ships and in travelling whereve
their legitimate business calls them upon the higt
seas and exercise those rights in what should be ths
we'll justified confidence that their lives will not be
endangered by acts done in clear violation of univer
sally acknowledged international obligations, ane
certainly in the confidence that their own Govern
ment will sustain them in the exercise Of their rights
There was recently published in the newspaper:
of the United States, regret to inform the lmperia
German Government, formal warning, purportin&
to come from the Imperial German Embassy at Wash
ngton addressed to the people Of the United States
and stating, in effect, that any citizen Of the Unitec
States who exercised his right of free travel upor
the seas would do at his peril if his journey shoulc
take him within the Of waters within which the
Imperial German Navy was using submarines agans
the commerce Of Great Britain and France notwith
standing the respectful but very protest Of hi:
Government the Government of the United States
do not refer to this for the purpose Of calling the
attention of the Imperial German Government at this
time to the surprising irregularity Of communication
from the Imperial German Embassy at Washington
addressed to the people of the United States through
the newspapers, but only for the purpose of pointing
out that no warning that an unlawful and inhumane
act will be committed possibly be accepted ar
excuse palaton for that act or as an abatement
Of the responsibility for its commission.
Not to Omit Word or Act
Long acquainted as this Government has beer
with the character Of the Imperial German Govern
ment and with the high principles of equity by which
they have in the past been actuated and guided, the
Government Of the United States can not believe
that the commanders Of the vessels which committet
these acts of laWlessness did so except under mis-
apprehension Of the orders issued by the Imperia
German naval authorities. 1t takes it for granted
that, at least within the practical possibilities o
every such case, the commanders Of subma
rines were expected to do nothing that would involve
the lives Of noncombatants or the safety Of neutra
ships, even at the cost Of failing Of their object o
capture destruction. 1t confidently expects, there
fore, that the Imperial German Government will dis
avow the acts Of which the Government of the Untec
States complains, that they will make reparaton sc
far reparaton is possible for injuries which are
without measure, and that they will take immediate
steps to prevent the recurrence Of anything OBJ
viously subversve Of the principles of warfare fol
which the Imperial German Government have in the
past so wisely and so firmly contended
The Government and people of the United States
look to the Imperial German Government for just
prompt, and enlightened action in this vital matte
with the greater confidence because the United States
and Germany bound together not only by specia
ties of friendship but also by the explicit stipulation:
of the treaty of 1928 between the United States anc
the Kingdom Of Prussia.
Expressions of regret and offers Of reparation ir
case Of the destruction Of neutral ships sunk by mis-
take while they may satisfy international obligations
if no loss of life results not justify excuse
practice, the natural and necessary effect of which
is to subject neutral nations and neutral persons tc
new and immeasurabe risks.
The Imperial German Government will not ex
pec the Government Of the United States to omit an,
word any act necessary to the performance of it
sacred duty of maintaining the rights Of the Untec
States and its citizens and Of safeguarding their free
exercise and enjoyment BRYAN.