New Britain herald., 1915-05-14

Washington, May 14.-The govern inent and people of the United States today turned expectantly toward Eerlin, where Ambassador Gerard had X been instructed to present to the Ger man foreign office note calling the attention of the imperial government 1ao the unlawful and inhuman" de- struction of the Lusitania, and other violations of American rights on the high seas.
 Germany is asked in the note to tsisavow the acts of her submarine commanders in the torpedoing with out warming of the Lusitania, q British ship, with 2 loss of more than one hundred American lives, and the American steamer Gulfignt as re- suit Of which two or more American citizens met their death. Preparation ESQ far as reparation Is possible" is asked and the United States declares 1t ''confidently expects that the inn perial German government will take. immediate steps to prevent the re- currence of such acts and practices. 4 No time is specified for a reply, but the communication says the govern ment and people of the United States look to the imperial German govern rnent for Just, prompt and enlight- scned action in this vital matter.
 United States Firm S z I'M sAco llFses < to bes pursued by the United States in the evenz of a non- compliance with it's requests and ex- pectations Is not stated, but high officials pointed out that the con- clusion of the note was intended to impress upon Germany that there should be no misapprehensfon in Ber-' lin of the firm purpose or the United States to safeguard it's rights by any means necessary. This is expressed in the final sentence, which says: The imperial German government will not expect the government of the United States to omit any word or any act sacred duty of maintaining the eitixens and of safeguarding their free exercise and enjoyment"
 It was just a week ago today that Z tha Lusitania was struck by a Ger naaA torpedo and sunk with the loss of many neutral lives besides the ' scores of Americans The United sstates government is the first to act. The other neutral nations, most of sshom have been waiting for the policy of the United States to be re- sealed, are now expected to decide what representations they will make. Attracts Wide Comment.
 As the note was read by diploma tists and officials generally, one fea- ] ture that attracted wide comment was l the stand taken by the United States against the use of the submarine as a commerce destroyer, the attention of Ethe German government being called to s'The practical impossibility' of ! Eemploying these under sea craft to aiestroy merchantmen, without disre- garding those rules of fairness, reason, Justice and humanity which all mod Tern opinion regards as imperative"
 This was taken by naval officers versed in law and diplomatists to
 mean that not only during the pres ent. war but in future international conferences to amend the rules of maritime warfare, the American gov ernment would be found aligned against the use of the submarine kgainst merchantmen.
 heply 10 NOte Oi Negfet.
 Another feature of the note which caused much comment among diplo- matists was the statement in it reply ing to the German circular to neu- tra1s which arrived here on Tuesday and agree to express regret and give reparation for any mistaken attacks on neutrals vessels by submarines.
 The communication points out that while expressions of regret and offers of reparation in case of destruction of neutral ships sunk by mistake may satisfy international obligations if no
 oss Of life results' they cannot justify or aexcuse a practice the natural and
 Necessary effect of which Is to sub
 ect neutral nations and neutral per-
 ons to new and immeasurable risks. <
 Right of Visit and search.
 In another portion emphasis is laii
 |n the inability of submarines to ex-
 lrcise the right of visit and search al
 lea, Because of practical difficulties
 naIStng 1t impossible for them to make
 prize of merchantmen since a prize
 Iew could not be put aboard or if