The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-06-11

once more. with solemn emphasis. to
call the attention OF the imperial Ger
man government TO the grave respon-
, sibility which the government Of the
, United States conceives that IL has in
CURED in this tragic occurrence and
TO the indisputable principle upon
which that responsibility rests. The
government OF the United States is
contending for something much
greater than mere rights OF property
or privileges Of commerce. II is con
tending for nothing less high and sa-
cred than the rights OF humanity.
which every government honors itself
in respecting and which no govern
nent Is justified in resigning on behalf
OF those under its care and authority
Only Justification.
Only her actual resistance to can.
ture or refusal to stop when ordered
TO do so for the purpose of visit could
have afforded the commander OF the
submarine any justification for so
much as putting the lives of those on
board the ship in jeopardy. This prin-
ciple the government of the United
states understands the explicit in
structions issued on August 3. 1914.
by the imperial German admiralty 10
It's commanders at sea to have recog-
nized and embodied. as do the naval
codes OF all other nations and upon il
every traveller and seaman had a
right 10 depend. II Is upon this prin-
ciple OF humanity as well as upon the
law founded upon this principle that
the United States must stand.
The government Of the United
States Is happy to observe that your
eNcelency's note closes with the in.
umatiOn that the imperial German
government Is willing. now as before.
10 accept the good offices of the
United states in an attempt to come
TO an understanding with the govern
ment OF Great Britain by which the
character and conditions Of the war
upon the sea may be changed The
government OF the United States
would consider IL a privilege thus to
serve its friends end the world. II
stands ready AZ any time to convey
10 either government any intimation
or suggestion the other NAV be viii
ling 10 have IL convey and cordially
invites the imperial government to
make use OF its services in this wav
AT It's convenience. The whole IL con
cerned IN anything that NAV bring
about even a partial accommodation
OF this or in any way might mitigate
the terrOrs OF the present distressing
conflict
In the meantime whatever ar.
ranRement may happily be made be
tween the parties 20 the war. and
whatever may. In the opinion OF the
imperial German government. have
been The provocation OF the circum.
stantial justification for the past acts
Of its commanders a. sea. the govern.
menf ~ the United states confidently
looks 20 see the Justice and humani.
~ Of the government Of Germany vim.
dicated IN All cases where Americans
nave been wronged or their rights as
ncuuals invaded.
Renews Representation.
The government Of tho United
states therefore very earnestly and
very solemnly rcnews the representa-
lions Of its note transmitted 90 tho
imperial German government on tho
10Th Of May. and relies I'm these rcp.
refentstons upon the principles Of
humanity. the universally recognized
Understandings Of International Law
"nd the ancient friendship Of the Ger.
man nation
The government Of tho United
states cannot admit that the procIa-
nation Of a war zone from which ncu-
tral ships have been warned 90 keep
away may be- made % operate a. In
any decree on abbrcviation Of the
rights either of American shipmasters
OF Of American citizens bound on law
iul crrands az passengers on merchant
ships ~ helliEerent nationality 70
HHH
man government to question those
rights % understands 10. also. 20 &C..
cept a. established beyond question
The principle that the lives Of non
combatants can not lawfully or rirht-
fully be- put in jeopardy By the cap.
ture or destruction OF an unreFisting