The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-07-24


The note does not necessarily call for
a reply. It leaves the way open, how
! ever, for an answer from Germany dis
avowing the sinking of the Lusitania
and offering reparation, submitting as.
surances as to future actions of naval
officers and even asking directly for me-
diation by the United States between the
German and British governments on the
general subject OF warfare on the sea. ii
any answer is received, it is not expected
| for several weeks.
The American Note.
The note to Germany is as follows:
Department of State,
| Washington, July 81, 1915
The Secretary of State to Ambassador
Gerard,
You are instructed to deliver textually
| the following note to the minister for
| foreign affairs:
The note of the imperial German gov
ernment dated the sth of July, 1915, has
received the careful consideration of the
government Of the United States, and it
regrets to be Obliged to say that it has
found il very unsatisfactory, because it
fails to meet the real difference between
the two governments and indicates no
way in which the accepted principles OF
law and humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pro-
poses, on the contrary, arrangements for
a partial suspension of those principles
which virtually set them aside.
The government OF the United States
notes with satisfaction that the imperial
German government recognizes without
reservation the validity of the principles
insisted on in the several communica-
tions which this government has ad-
dressed TO the imperial German govern
ment with regard to its announcement
OF war zone and the use of submarines
against merchantmen on the high seas
the principle that the high seas are free, |
that the character and cargo Of a mer
chantmRn must first be ascertained be- |
fore she can be lawfully seized or de- /
stroyed, and that the lives of non-com-
batants may in no case be put in jeop- |
ardy unless the vessel resists or seeks
to escape after being summoned to sub
nit TO examination; for a belligerent act
Of retaliation is per Sc an act beyond the
law, and the defense of an act as retalia-
tory is an admission that it is legal.
The government OF the United States
is, however, keenly disappointed to find
that the imperial German government
regards itself as in large degree exempt
from the obligation TO observe these
even where neutral vessels are
by what il believes the policy
and practice Of the government of Great
Britain 20 be IN the present war with
regard 10 neutral commerce. The i'm
perial German government will readily
understand that the government of the q
United States cannot discuss the policy {
u the government of Great Britain with
-egard 20 neutral trade except with that :
government itself. and that it must re-
yard the conduct Of other bclligerent gov. .
'rnments of what this government re- I
rards as grave and unjustihable viola. a
ions Of the rights OF American citizens I
" German naval commanders. Illegal I
md inhuman acts, however iustifable
hey may be thought 90 be against an {
nemy who il believed 70 have acted in L
Of law and humanity are c
nanifestly indsfensible when they de- 4
rive neufrals Of their Acknowledged y
ights, particularly when they violate o
he right 20 life itself II a belligerent y
annot rstaliate against an enemy with b
AZ injuring the lives Of neutrals. az ]
,ell a. their property, humanity, A. well r
: justice and a due regard Tor tie dig. y
ity ~ neutral powers should dictate n
bat the practice be discontinued. II PR. rf
sted N Il would in such circumstances
institute en- unpardonable offense against q
b. sovereignty Of the neutral nation az b.
,cted. The government Of the United in
tates i not uumindful Of the entraordi- re
srv conditions created by this war or %
the radical alterations ~ circumstance g
ID method II sttsck produced - the II
- ~ instrumentalities ~ naval War vi
.rn hich the nations uf the world can
d have hai o. view when the exist
e rules Of International law were form
atsd. auf "a q ready - make rrery n,
asauahie allowance for these uutel and
aetpnrira aspects ~ wsr a. sea. hut
rnnurf consent e. alsfe ANY essanfial
fmuAamartsi right ~ - fseorle ~ "a
uss 81 nerp aiteratian - crenm- -
auess. The rights 81 ueutfas ID tlns -
Was arf hasef urun prineinlt. mot -
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