The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1915-06-17

cersIy hopes that II will submit ths
evidence for consideration
4 Coatentions Held Irrelevant
Whatever may be the contention
Of the imperial German government
regarding tho carriage of contraban'
Of war on board the Lusitsnia, or 70
KardinR the explosion Of that matsris
BY torpedo, It need only be said that
In the view Of this Government, tn
coptsitions arc Irrelevant TO the ques
ton Of the legality Of the method.
used By the German naval authori
tiss IN sinking that vessel.
But the sinking Of passenger ship,
involves principles Of humanity which
throw into the background any specia
circumstances " detail that may b<
thought to affect the cases-principIs,
which lift Il, ~ the imperial govern
ment viii no doubt be quick to rscog-
aixd and acknowledge, out Of the clasz
Of ordinary subjects of diplomatic dis
cussIon or international controversy.
Whatever be the facts regarding the
Luslt~nia, the principal fact il that =
great steamer, primarily and chiefly
10 convsyancs 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
70 much ~ Q challenge or = warning.
and that men. women and children
were sent to their death In circum-
stances unparalleled In modern war
fare.
Duty Owed to Humanity.
'Ths fact that more than 100 Amer
lean citizens were among those who
persisted made II the duty Of the Gov
eminent Of the United States to speak
Of these things. and once more, with
solemn emphasis, TO call the attsn-
ton Of the imperial German govern
ment TO the grave responsibility which
the Government OF tho United States
eonccives that II has incurred In this
tragic occurrence and to the Indis-
putsble principle upon which that re-
xponsibiIity rests. The Government
Of the United States Is contanding for
something much greater than mere
rights Of property or privileges OF |
commerce. II Is contending for moth |
Ing less high and sacred than the
rights Of humanity, which every gov !
crnment honors itself In respecting
and which no government Is justified
In rcsigning on behalf Of those under
rs care and authority. Only her
actual resistance to capture or refusal
10 stop when ordered to do 40 for
he purpose Of visit could have af-
'orded the commander Of the sub
marine any justification for so much
Is putting tho lives OF those on board
he ship In jeopardy. This principle
he Government Of the United States
Understands tho explicit instructions
ssued on August 3, 1914, by the i'm
'erial German Admiralty to It's com
nnnders at Sea to have recognized and
'mbodicd, MS do tho naval codes Of all
'ther nations, and upon 1t every
rnveler and seaman had a right 20
lcpend. II Is upon this principle of
ms well as upon the law
ounded upon this principle, that the
United States must stand.
The Government OF the United
'tates Is happy TO observe that Your
1xcellency's note closes with the in
imation that the imperial German
government u willing, now as before.
Q accept tho good Offices of the
United States In an attempt to GENE
o an understanding with the govern
nent OF Great Britain. by which the
haracter and conditions Of tho war
pom the sea may DO changed. The
government OF the United States
fould consider II privilege thus 20
crve It's friends and the world. I'll
lands ready at any time to convey
0 either government any intimation
r suggestion the other may be will ,
ng to have II convey. and cordially {
invites the imperial German govern I
nent TO make use Of its services In I
his way at Its convenience. The
'hole world Is concerned In anything
hat mag bring about even q partial
accommodation Of interests or In any
ray mitigate the tcrrors Of the pres d
Mt distressing conflict.
In the meantime. whatever ar v
angement may happily be made be- n
ween the parties to the war, and
'hatever may In the opinion Of the n
IMPERIAL German government have il
cen the provocation or the circum-
lantial justification for the past acts ;,
I It's commanders ut sea. the Govern 4
'cnt OF the United States confidently
,oks TO see the justice and humanity
the government Of Germany vim r,
ieated In all cases where Americans il
ave beon wronged or their rights as
eutrals invaded.
The Government Of the United n
tates therefore very earnestly and =
cry solcmnly rcnews the representa- n
ons Of its note transmitted to the
nperial German government on the y
TN OF May and relies In these repre- n
'ntations upon the principles Of hui r
anity, the universally recognized h
Of international law h
I'd the ancient friendship Of the Ger
an nation.
Rights Of Americans Ressserted.
The Government Of tho United .
lates cannot admit that the procla- L
alton OF a war zone from which a
sutral ships have been warned TO n
Yep away may be made to operate
In any degree an abbreviation Of
'e rights Of either OF American ship :
astere or Of American citizens bound :
lawful errands as passengers on