Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-24
President Gives Germany Final Warning
u S. Will Defend Rights to UHern10St
Duty Imposed Upon Belligerents.

Duty Imposed Upon Belligerents.
The rights of neutrals in time Of based
upon principle. not upon expediency, and the prn-
ciples immutable. 1t is the duty and obligation
of belligerents find way adapt the circum-
them.
The events Of the past two months have clearly
such submarine operations have characterized the
activity of the imperial German navy within the
called war zone in substantial accord with the &C.
cepted practices Of regulated warfare. The whole
world has looked with interest and increasing salts
faction at the demonstration Of that possibility by
German naval commanders. It is manifesty possible
therefore to lift the whole practice Of submarine
attack above the criticism which it has aroused and
remove the chief causes Of oHense.
In view Of the admission Of illegally made by the
imperial German government when it pleaded the
right of retaliation in defense of its acts and
of the manifest possibility Of conforming the estab-
Gshed rules of naval warfare the government of the
United States cannot believe that the imperial gov
eminent will longer refrain from disavowing the
wanton act of its naval commander In sinking the
Lusitania from offering reparation for the Amer
lives lost, far reparation be made tor
needless destruction of human life by an illegal act.
Berlin Proposal Is Rejected.
The government Of the United States while not
Indifferent the friendly spirit in which it is made
cannot accept the suggestion Of the imperial German
Government that certain vessels be designated and
agreed upon which shall be free on the seas now
illegally prescribed. The very agreement would by
implication subject other vessels illegal attack and
would be a curtailnent and therefore an abandon
nent of the prncple for which this government
tends and which in times Of calmer counses every
nation would concede as Of course.
The Government Of the United States and the
imperial German government are contending for the
same great object have long stood together in urging
the very principles upon which the government Of the
United States solemnly insists. They both
contendins for the freedom of the The govern
ment Of the United States will continue contend
for that freedom, from whatever quarter violated,
without compromise and any cost. 1t invites the
practical cooperation of the imperial German govern
ment at this time, when cooperation may accomplish
most and this great common object be most strkingy
and effectively achieved.
Offer to Mediate Is Rene.0ed
The imperial German government expresses the
hope that this object may be in measure
pshed even before the present ends. 1t can be.
The government Of the United States only feels
obliged to insist upon it, by whomsoever violated
ignored in the protection of it. citizens. but is
also deeply interested in seeing it made practicable
between the belserents themselves, and holds itself
ready at any time to act the common friend who
may be privileged to suggest way.
In the meantime. the very value which this gov
eminent sets upon the long and unbroken friendship
between the people and government Of the United
States and the people and government Of the German
nation impels it to press very solemnly upon the
imperial German government the necessity for
scrupulous observance Of neutral in this critical
matter
Friendship itself prompts it say to the imperial
government that repetition by the commanders Of
German naval vessels Of acts in contravention of