The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-05-22


l regret to inform the imperial Ger
man government, a formal warning,
purporting to come from the imperial
German embassy at Washington, ad-
dressed to the people of the United
States and stating in effect that any
citizen OF the United States who ex
ercised his right of free travel upon
the high seas would do SO at his
peril If his journey should take him
within the zone Of waters within
which the imperial German navy was
using submarines against the cCm-
merce of Great Britain ann France,
Notwithstanding the respectful. but
very earnest, protest Of the govern
lnent of the United States.
Surprising irreguIarity" Of Embassy.
81 do not refer to this for the pur-
pose Of calling attention OF the I'M
perial German government at fhls
time to the surprising irregularity or
a communication from the Impeual
German embassy at Washington AL
dressed to the people Of the United
State through the newspapers, but
only for the purpose Of pointing out
that no warning that an unlawful and
inhumane act would be committed
can possibly be accepted as az excuse
or palliation of that act or as an
abatement of the responsibility for its
commitment.
Kong acquainted as this govern
ment has been, with the character OF
the imperial German government and
with the high. principles of equity by
which in the past they have been ac-
tuated and guided, the government OF
the United States cannot believe the
commanders of the vessels which
committed these acts Of lawlessness
did so except under misappreh on
sion of the orders issued by the i'm
perial German naval authorities. 1t
takes it for granted that, at least
within the practical possibilities of
every such case, the commanders
even of submarines were expected to
do nothing that would involve the
lies Of noncombatants or the safety
of neutral ships even at the cost OF
failing Of their object Of capture or
destruction. 1t confidently expects,
therefore, that the imperial German
government will disavow the acts OF
which the government Of the United
States complains; that they will
make reparation so rar as reparation
is possible for injuries which are
without measure and that they will
take immediate steps to prevent the
ecurrence of anything so obviously
subversive of the principles OF war
fare for which the imperial German
government in the past have so wisely
and so firmly contended.
Expects Prompt Action.
"The government and people o.
tho United States look to the imperia
German government for Just, promp
and enlightened action in this vita
matter with the greater confidenc,
because the United States AM Ger
many are bound together not only b!
special ties of friendship. but also b.
: the explicit stipulations Of the treat,
: of 1928 between the United State
and the kingdom of Prussia
: Expressions of regret and offers o
: reparation in case Of the destruction
l of neutral ships sunk by mistake
while they may satisfy information,
|. obligations If no loss of life results
4 cannot justify or excuse a practice
. the natural and necessary effect o
!. which is to subject neutral nation
and neutral persons to new and IL.
n measurable risks.
Z "The imperial German government
Q will not expect the government c
the United States to omit any word o
!. any act necessary to the persornanc
q Of it's sacred duty Of maintaining tb
A rights of the United States and II
= free exercise and enjoyment.
!. Bryan"