Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-07-16

olsfeearuln8 all rights OF neutrals-
"0n November 8. 1914, England declared
the North Sea war area, and by planting
poorly anchored mines and by the stop
page and capture of vessels made passage
extremely dangerous and difficult for neu-
trail shipping. so (byO that actually block
aiding neutal coasts and ports contrary to
all international law. Long before the
beginning of the submarine war England
practically completely intercepted legiti-
mate neutral navigation to Germany also
Thus Germany was driven to submarine
war on trade
'on November Ia. 1914. the English pre-
mier declared in the house Of commons
that it was one Of England's principal
tasks to prevent food for the German popu-
lation from reaching Germany via neutral
ports. Since March Eugiand has been
taking from neutral ships, without furthur
formality, all merchandise proceeding to
Germany. as well as all merchandise coTa-
ing from Germany. even when neutral prop
erty.
Just as it was also with the Beers, the
German people is now to be given the
choice Of perishine from starvation with
its women and children or Of relinquish-
ing its independence.
While our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy until
our utter destruction, we were conducting
war in self-defense for our national ex-
istence and for the sake of peace of an
assured permanency. We have been obliged
to adopt submarine warfare to meet the
declared intentions Of our enemies and the
methods Of warfare adopted by them in
contravention Of International law.
With all its efforts in principle to pro-
tect neutral life and property from damage
as much as possible. the German govern
ment recognized unreservedly in its memo
randum of February that the interests
Of neutrals might suffer from the subma-
rine warfare.
However. the American government
will also understand and appreciate that
1
forced upon Germany by its adversarie.
and announced by them it is the sacred
duty Of the imperial government to do al
within its power to protect and save the
lives Of German subjects.
IF the imperial government we're dere
iict in these, its duties. it would be guilt,
before God and history of the violation o
those principles Of highest humanity which
are the foundation of every national exist
ence.
THE case of the Lusitania shows will
, horrible clearness to what jeopardizing o
human lives the manner of conducting wa
employed by our adversaries leads In thu
most direct contradiction OF internationa
, law, all distinctions between merchantmen
, and war vessels have been obliterated b,
, the order to British merchantmen to arm
themselves and to ram submarines. an,
I the promise Of rewards therefor, am
| neutrals who use merchantmen as trav
elers thereby have been exposed in al
increasing degree to all the dangers o
war.
, IF the commander of the German sub
marine which destroyed the Lusitania hal
caused the crew and passengers to TAX
to the boats before firing n torpedo thi
D would have meant the sure destruction o
his own vessel.
! After the experiences in sinking muc
I smaller and less seaworthy vessels. it wa
! to be expected that mighty ship like tn
: Lusitania would remain above water Ion
b, enough even after the torpedoing to per
!. NIT passengers TO enter the ships boats.
E Circumstances Of a very peculiar kinC
n especially the presence on board Of larg
e quantities Of highly explosive material
(word omitted, possibly "dissipated'') thi
expectation. In addition it may be pointe
out that If the Lusitania had been spared
thousands of cases of munitions woul
e have been sent to Germany's enemies an
thereby thousands of German mothers an
e children robbed Of breadwinners
y in the spirit of friendship wherewit
|
J. ards the Union and its inhabitants sine
e the earliest days Of its existence. the i'm
d perial government will always be ready I
= do all it can during the present war ais
s to prevent the jeopardizing of lives @
II American citizens. The imperial govern
ment, therefore, repeats the assurance
n that American ships will not be hindere
s in the prosecution of legitimate shipping
d and the lives of American citizens in neu
= trail vessels shall not be placed in leopard,
Il I'm order to exclude any unfOresee
dangers to American passenger steamers
d made possible in view Of the conduct @
: maritime war by Germanys adversarie:
i German submarines will be instructed {
d permit free and safe passage Of such pas
4 senger steamers when made recognizabl
h by special markings and notified rea
sonable time in advance.
i THE imperial government. however. con
n fidently hopes that the American govern
y ment will assume to guarantee that thes
u vessels have no contraband on board. de
C tails Of arrangement for the unhampere
= passage of these vessels to be agreed upol
Il by the naval authorities of both sides.
8 in order to furnish adequate facilitie
for travel across the Atlantic for American
h citizens, the German government submit
: for consideration a proposal to increas
- the number Of available steamers by in
stalling In passenger service a REASONABLE
l. number of neutral steamers under tn
= American flag. the exact number to b
agreed upon under the same condition a
the aforementioned American steamers
THE imperial government believes
can assume that in this manner adequate
y facilities for travel across the Atlanta
: Ocean can be afforded American citizens
There would, therefore, appear TO be n,