Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-05-20

in her small boats These facts it is understood
the Imperial German government frankly ad-
nit We are informed that in the instances of
which we have spoken time enough for even
that poor creature of safety was not given and
in at least two Of the cases cited not so much as
warning was received. Manifestly submar-
ines cannot be used against merchantmen. as
the last few weeks have shown, without an in
evitable violation Of many sacred principles of
justice and humanity.
American citizens act within their indisputa-
BILE rights in taking their ships and in travelling
wherever their legitimate business calls them
upon the high seas, and exercise those rights in
what should be the we'll justified confidence
that their lives will not be endangered by acts
done in clear violation of universally acknowl-
edged international obligation, and tainly in
the confidence that their own government will
sustain them in the exercise Of their rights
There was recently published in the news
papers of the United States, regret to inform
the Imperial German government formal
warning purporting to come from the Imperial
German embassy at Washington, addressed to
the people Of the United States and stating in
effect that any citizen of the United States who
exercised his right of free travel upon the 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 commerce of Great
Britain and France Notwithstanding the re-
spectful but very earnest protest of his govern
ment, the government of the United States. I
do not refer to this for the purpose of calling
the attention Of the Imperial German govern
ment at this time to the surprising irregularity
of communication from the Imperial German
embassy at Washington addressed to the peo-
pie of the United States through the news
papers, but only for the purpose of pointing out
that warning that an unlawful and inhumane
act would be committed possibly be ac-
copied as an excuse or palliation for the act, or
as an abatement of the responsibility for it's
commission
Long acquainted as this government has been
with the character of the Imperial German gov
eminent, and with the high principles Of equity
by which they have in the past been actuated
and guided the government of the United
States can not believe that the commanders of
the vessels which committed these acts of law
lessness did so except under misapprehension
of the orders issued by the Imperial German
naval authorities. 1t takes it for granted that,
every such case, the commanders even of sub
marines were expected to do nothing that would
involve the lives of noncombatants or the
safety of neutral ships even at the cost of fail
ing of their object of capture or destruction. It
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
for
are without measure, and that they will take
immediate steps to prevent the recurrence Of
anything so obviously subversive of the princi-
pies Of warfare for which the Imperial German
government have in the past so wisely and so
firmly contended.
The government and people of the United
States look to the Imperial German government
for just, prompt and enlightened action in this
vital matter with the greater confidence be-
cause the United States and Germany are
bound together not only by special ties of
friendship, but also by the explicit stipulations
of the treaty of 1928 between the United States
and the Kingdom of Prussia.
Expressions of regret and offers of reparation
in case of the destruction of neutral ships sunk
by mistake, while they may satisfy internation
al obligations if no loss Of life results, not
, justify or excuse practice the natural and
necessary effect of which is to subject neutral
nations and neutral persons to new and i'm
measurable risks.
The Imperial German government will not
expect the government Of the United States to
omit any word or any act necessary to the per-
Torrance Of it's sacred duty of maintaining the
rights of the United States and it's citizens and
safeguarding their free exercise and enjoyment.
BRYAN.