The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-05-13
United States Never Recognized
Germany's Right to Estab-
lish "War Zones"
WILSON ISSUED WARNING
Berlin Contention That Law
Could Not Be Complied With
Offers No Excuse.
s(From The Tribune Bureau.)

lfrom me tribune 6ureau.)
Washington, D. c., May 10.-While
neither the White House nor the state
department will give the least indica-
ton as to the contents of whatever
communication may be addressed to
Germany, it is known la there is alb
solutely no common ground for the
two nations.
Germany's contention that she was
justified in destroying the Lusitania
as the merchant vessel of a foreign foe,
n her attempted justification of her
slaughter of noncombatants and neu-
trails by claiming she published warn
the Lusitania, mas no standing in the
eyes of this country or of the world,
say students Of the situation.
Never Recognized "War Zone"
The differences date back to the time
in February when Germany declared
she proposed to establish hat she
termed "a war zone" around the Brit
ish isles and warned all neutral nations
n noncombatants that they entered
this zone at their own peril. The United
States, in common with all neutral ma
tons, refused to accept this arbitrary
ruling Of Germany, which violated all
International law and precedent.
They agreed that Germany had a
right to establish a blockade of British
ports, but that the high seas We're not
subject to being divided into wal
zones" that they were neutral and
had always been, n that any en-
croachment upon the freedom, safety
and neutrality of the high seas where
by the lives and property of noncom-
batants were jeopardized, must be re
garded as piracy and not warfare.
The United States held. in accord
with all international law and treaties,
that while Germany had the undouted
right to stop, capture and destroy any
merchant vessel belonging to Great
Britain or any other of her enemies,
she must, if she obeyed rules civilized
nations had established for protection
of humanity. make ample provision for
the safety Of the lives of my and all
non-combatants on board and abso-
lutely safeguard the lives of any neu-
were destroyed.
United States Warned Germany.
Germany replied that it was physical
~ impossible for a submarine vessel to
do this, whereupon the United States
merely reaffirmed its position n in
!imated that if Germany could not
prosecute a humane and civilized war
fare with submarines it was up to Ger
many to select other mediums. At no
time did the United States ever O
:ede that Germany had the right to es-
tablish what she called a war zone
Or the right to sink any merchant or
passenger vessel without first pro-
viding for the safety of those on board.
All neutral nations sustained the Uni
ted States in this position.
With this fundamental difference
iiplomatists believe there can be no ex-
~!olanat1on Germany may offer that VIII
Justify her destruction Of the pas
1engers. The advertisement inserted in
American newspapers by the imperial
|! Iarf0anv y ho ccIy- y1ra r11jno A Ionrinane
not to sail on any passenger steamer
Of the allies is wholly beside h point
It relieves Germany Of no responsibility
IN the matter and it is said does not
act as a substitute for offering protec-
ton to those on board before the ship
vas torpedoed.
The high seas are free and neutral
Americans have a right to sail them or
any vessel other h ar armed vesse
of a belligerent. To deny this right
would be making three-fifth of the
earth's surface a private fish pond
Only pirates, recognizing no laws O.
nations or rules Of war, refuse to guar
antees safety to n~oncombatant anG
neutral men. women and children found
on board an unarmed ship. In Other
words. Germany. it is pointed out, hat
no. right to print such an advertise.
ment.
Puts It Up to Germany.
All efforts. unoficially, of Germany
to make 1T appear thai the Lusitanis
was armed and, therefore, not entitled
to the protection due a merchant yes
sci appears to be without any founda
ton in fact, and also are a subterfug,
of Germany's to escape the awful re
sponsibility Of her living up to he
threats to make no distinction between
war vessels and merchant vessels one,
they were in her arbitrarily established
war zone.