The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-07-29
Americas Reply to Germany.
The American People Stand Behind

WASHINGTON, July "a. Following is the
official text of the latest American note to
Germany regarding submarine warfare, which
was delivered to the Foreign Office at Berlin
today by Ambassador Gerard:
1.-The Secretary of State to Ambassador Gerard
department of State.
Washington, July 81, 1915.
''You are instructed to deliver textually the
following note to Minister of Foreign Affairs:
1.-THE note of the Imperial German Govern
ment dated the 9th of July, 1915, has received
the careful consideration of the government
of the United States and it regrets to be
obliged to say that it has found it very un-
satisfactory because it fails to meet the real
differences between the two governments and
indicates no way in which the accepted princi-
pies of law and humanity may be applied in
the grave matter in controversy. but proposes,
suspension of those principles which virtually
set them aside.
"The government of the United States notes
with satisfaction that the imperial German
Government recognizes without reservation
the validity of the principles insisted on in the
several communications which this govern
ment has addressed to the Imperial German
Government with regard to its announcement
OF a war 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 merchantmen must
AIsC pc dsCeIIdlueu before Sle can lawfully De
selzed or destroyed and that the lives of nom
combatants may in no case be put in jeopardy
unless the vessel resists seeks to escape
after being summoned to submit to examina-
tion; for belligerent act of retaliation is per
Sc an act beyond the law and the defense
OF an act as retaliatory is an admission that it
is illegal.
THE government of the United States is,
however, keenly disappointed to find that the
Imperial German Government regards itself as
IN large degree exempt from the obligation to
observe these principles, even where neutral
vessels are concerned, by what it believes the
policy and practice the government of Great
Britain to be In the present war with re gard
to neutral commerce. The Imperial German
Government will readily understand that the
Government of the United States cannot dis
cuss the policy of tine Government of Great
Britain with regard to neutras except with
that government itself, and that it must re-
gard the conduct of other beligerent govern
mentssss irrelevant to any discussion with the
Imperial German Government of what this
government regards grave and unjustif-
able violations of the rights of American citi-
zens by German naval commanders illegal
and inhuman acts, however justifable they
may be thought to be against an enemy who
Is believed to have acted n contravention of
law and hum nifty. are manifestly indefensi-
Bile when they deprive neutrals of their ac-
knowledged rights, particularly when they vio-
late the right of life itself. If beligerent
cannot retaliate against an enemy without in
Jurlng the lives of neutrals, well as their
property, humanity, we'll as justice and
due regard tor the dignity of neutral powers
should dictate that the practice be discontnu-
ed. III persisted in it would in such circum-
stances constitute unpardonable offense
against the sovereignty of the neutral nation
affected. The Government of the United
States is not unmindful of the extraordinary
afa1h hu Of thn
cal alterations of circumstance and the meth
cd of attack produced by the use of instru-
mentalltles of laval warfare which the ma
tions of the world can not have had in view
when the existing rules of international law
were formulated and it is ready to make every
reas onable allowance for these novel and unex-
pected aspects of war at sea; but it can not
consent to abate any essential or funda-
mental rights of its people because of mere
alteration of circumstance. The rights of
neutrals in time of war are based upon prin-
ciple. not expediency, and the principles are
immutable. 1t is the duty and obligation of
belligerents to find way to adapt the new
conditions to them.
'The events of the past Two months have
clearly indicated that it is possible and prac-
ticable to conduct such submarine operations
as have characterized the activity of the I'm
perial German Navy within the so-called war
zone in substantial accord with theaccept-
whole world has looked with interest and
increasing satisfaction at the demonstration
of that possibility by German naval COM
manders. 1t is manifestly possible. there
fore, to lift the whole practice of submarine
attack above the criticism which it has aroused
and remove the chief causes of offense.
"ln view of the admission of illegaiity made
by the Imperial German Government when it
pleaded the right of retaliation in defense of
its acts and in view of the manifest possibility
of conforming to the established rules of naval
warfare, the Government of the United States
cannot believe that the Imperial German Gov
ernment will longer refrain from disavoWing
the wanton act of its naval commander in sink
ing the Lusitania or from offering reparation
for the American lives lost, SO far as reparaton
can be made for needless destruction of hu-
man life by an illegal act.
"The Government of the United States,
while not Indifferent to the friendly spirit in
which it is made, cannot accept the suggestion
of the Imperial German Government that GER
tain vessels be designated and agreed upon
which shall be free on the seas now Illegally
prescribed. The very agreement would by i'm
plication subject other vessels to illegal attack
and would be curtaiment and therefore an
abandonment of the principles for which this
government contends and which in times of
calmer counses every nation would concede as
of course.
s'The Government of the United States and
the Imperial German Government are con-
tending for the same great object, have long
stood together in urging the very principles,
upon which the Government of the United
Sta tes SO solemnly insists. They are
both contending for the freedom of the seas.
The Government of the United States will
continue to contend for that freedom, from
whatever quarter violated, without compro-
mise and at any cost. 1t invites the practical
cooperation of the Imperial German Govern
ment at this time when cooperation may ac-
complish most and this great common object
be most strikingly and effectively achieved.
1.-The Imperial German Government ex-
presses the hope that this object may be in
some measure accomplished even before the
present war ends. It can be. The Govern
ment Of the United States not only feels
obliged to insist upon it, by whomsoever vio-
lated, or ignored, in the protection of its own
citizens, but is also deeply interested in seeing
it made practical between the bellgerents
themselves and holds itself ready at any time
to act as the common friend who may be
privileged to suggest way.
"1n the meantime the very value which this
government sets upon the long and unbroken
friendship between the people and govern.
ment of the United States and the people and
government of the German nation impels it to
press very solemnly upon the Imperial Ger.
man Government the necessity for scrupu
lous observance of neutral rights in this criti.
cal matter. Friendship itself prompts it te
say to the Imperial Government that repeti.
tion by the commanders of German naval yes.
sells of acts in contravention of those rights
must be regarded by the Government of the