The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1915-07-22
GERMANY MAKES
ANSWER TO NOTE
oEeERs IMMUNITY FOR PAssEN'
GER VESSELS ENGAGED IN
LEGITIMATE TRADE.
The Same Policy VIII be Extended 70
reasonable Number Of Neutral
Passenger Ships Under the
American Flag.

per,In-The reply Of the Imperial
government to the American note TO
garding the sinking Of the Lusitanla'
vas delivered to Ambassador JAMES
w. Gerard on July 3.
The text OF the note follows:
Berlin, July 8.
."Ths undersigned has the honor 10
make the following reply to his ex'
celIancv Ambassador Gerard, to the
note Of the 10th ultimo re the impair
ment of American interests py ING
German submarine war. me lInpeLlal
government learned with satlslaclion
from the note how earnestly the gov
eminent of the United States Is con
eerned In seeing the principles OF hu-
manity realized In the present war
Also this appeal finds ready echo III
Germany. and the imperial govern
ment "a quite willing to permit lts
statements and decision in the pres
ant case to be governed by the prin-
ciples of humanity just as 1t has done
always.
Recalls Past Agreements.
.'The imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
government in the note OF May 10 IL
self recalled that Germany had al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and hu.
manity in dealing with the law OF
maritime war. Since the time when
frederick the Great negotiated with
John Adams, BENJAMIN Franklin and
Thomas Jefferson the treaty OF friend
| shin and commerce Of September y
| i7g5. between Prussia and the repuD
lie of the west, German and Amer
lean statesmen have, in fact, always
stood together in the struggle Tor the
freedom OF the seas and for the pro
lection of peaceable trade. In the
international proceedings which since
have been conducted for the regula
ton of the laws of maritime war, Ger
MANY and America have jointly advo
Gated progressive principles especial
" the adjustment OF the right o
capture at sea and the protection o
The interests Of neutrals.
Mindful Of Neutral Interests.
"Even at the beginning Of the pres
emit war the German government I'm
mediately declared it's willingness t
ratify the declaration Of London an
thereby subject itself in the use Of 1t
naval forces to all the restriction
provided therein in favor of neutral
Germany likewise has been always L
nacious of the principle that wa
should be conducted against Tn
, armed and organized forces OF an el
envy country, but that the enemy
: william population must be spared 9
far as possible from the measures
a war. The imperial government che
! Ishes the definite hope that some We
will be found when peace is conclu
ed, or perhaps earlier, to regulate Il
law OF maritime war In a mann
guaranteeing the freedom of the sea
Z and will welcome it with gratitu,
B and satisfaction II It can work hal
q in hand with the American COVER
g ment on that occasion.
e Paralyze German Traffic.
"If in the present war the principl
% which should be the ideal of the
ture have been traversed more a
"a more, the longer its duration, the CT
e man government has no guilt there
!, 1t is known to the American COVE
ment how Germany's adversaries,
y completely paralyzing peaceful traf
% between Germany and neutral col
& tries. have aimed from the very
ID ginning and with increasing lack
"a consideration, at the destruction, I
Ia so much of the armed forces, as |
In lite of the German nation, repudi
!. ing in doing so all the rules of int
national law and disregarding all
~ rights of neutrals.
ION November 8, 1914, England
90 clared the North sea a war area 6
81 by planting poorly anchored mil
lie and by the stoppage and capture
lie vessels made passage extremely d
he gsrous and difficult for neutral 81
IA ing, so (byl that actually blockad
-, neutral coasts and ports contrary
- all international law. Long before
nv beginning of submarine warfare +
land practically completely interc
ed legitimate neutral navigation
Germany also Thus Germany
driven to a submarine war on trad
Submarine War Forced.
81 ION November IA, 1914. the Eng
ne premier declared in the house of c
Int mons that II was one of Englal
m, principal tasks to prevent food for
ear German population from reaching
ar. many via neutral ports. Since MI
A., England has been taking from
- trail ships without further formS
all merchandise proceeding to
'eu many. as well as all merchandise {
IRE, Ing from Germany. even when net
IRE property. Just as il was also
i'm the Beers. the German people is
Try. 10 be given the choice of peris
,ul from starvation with its women
~ children or OF relinQuishing its
- psndence.
nj ,,..,y o AUS ;,, ,ouu,y =,
sur min opr inter destruction w,o "