The Benson signal., 1915-07-17

the interests OF neutralS might Suf1er
from the submarine warfare. How
ever, the American government will
also understand and appreciate that
in the fight for existence which has
been forced upon Germany by it's ad-
versaries and announced by them, it
is the sacred duty of the imperial gov
ernment to do all within it's power to
protect and save the lives of German
subjects.
Enemies Blamed for Lusitania Horror.
"If the imperial government were
derelict in these, it's duties, it would
be guilty before God and history of
the violation of those principles of
highest humanity which are the foun-
dation of every national existence.
"The case of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what jeop-
ardizing of human lives the manner of
conducting war employed by our ad
versaries leads. In the most direct
contradiction of international law, all
distinction between merchantmen and
war vessels has been obliterated by
the order to British merchantmen to
arm themselves and to ram subma-
rines, and the promise of rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chantmen as travellers thereby have
been exposed in an increasing degree
to all the dangers of war.
''If the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tania had caused the crew and pas
sengers to take to the boats before
firing a torpedo, this would have
meant the sure destruction of his own
vessel. After the experiences in sink
ing much smaller and less seaworthy
vessels, it was to be expected that
mighty ship like the Lusitania would
remain above water long enough even
after the torpedoing to permit pas
sengers to enter the ships boats.
Explosion fastened Destruction.
circumstances of very peculiar
kind, especially the presence on
board of large quantities of highly ex-
plOsive materials defeated this expec-
tation
'In addition it may be pointed out
that if the Lusitania had been spared
thousands of cases of munitions would
have been sent to Germanys enemies
and thereby thousands of German
mothers and children robbed of bread
winners
I'm the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the Union and it's inhabi-
tants since the earliest days of it's ex-
istence, the imperial government will
always be ready to do all it can dur
ing the present war also to prevent
the jeOpardizing of lives of American
citizens. The imperial government,
therefore, repeats the assurances that
American ships will not be hindered
in the prosecution of legitimate ship
ping and the lives of American citi-
zens in neutral vessels shall not be
placed in jeopardy.
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers, made possible in view of the con-
duct Of maritime war by Germanys
adversaries, German submarines will
be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage of such passenger steam
ers, when made recognizable by spe.
cial markings and notified a reason
able time in advance.
"The imperial government, however,
confidently hopes that the American
government will assume to guarantee
that these vessels have no contraband
on board, details of arrangement for
the unhampered passage of these ves-
sells to be agreed upon by the naval
authorities of both sides.
Neutrals Suffered on Enemy's Ships.
I'm order to furnish adequate Ia
cilities for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens, the German
government submits for consideration
proposal to increase the number of
available steamers by installing in
passenger service reasonable num-
ber of neutral steamers, under the
American flag, the exact number to
be agreed upon under the same con-
ditiOn as the above mentioned Ameri-
can steamers.
''The imperial government believes
it can assume that in this manner ade-
Quate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri-
can citizens There would, therefore,
appear to be no compelling necessity
for American citizens to travel to Eu-
rope in time of war on ships carry
ing an enemy flag.
In particular the imperial gov
American citizens can protect an
enemy ship through the mere fact
of their presence on board
Germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared
part of the high sea an area of war.
Consequently, accidents suffered by
neutrals on enemy ships in this area
OF war cannot we'll be judged differ
emily from accidents to which neu-
trails are at all times exposed at the
seat of war on land when they be-
take themselves into dangerous To-
calities in spite of previous warn
ings.
"If, however it should not be pos
sible for the American government to
require an adequate number of neu-
trail passenger steamers, the imperial
government is prepared to interpose
no objections to the placing under the
American flag by the American gov