Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-05-21

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
respectful but very earnest protest Of his
government, the government Of the United
States.
WARNING No EXCUSE For INHUMAN ACT.
do not refer to this for the purpose Of
calling attention of the imperial German
government at this time to the surprising
irregularity Of a communication from the
German embassy at Washington addressed
to the people of the United States through
the newspapers, but only for the purpose
of pointing out that no warning that an
unlawful and inhuman act will be COM
mitted can possibly be accepted as an ex-
cuse or palliation for that act or as an
abatement Of the responsibility for its COM
mission.
Long acquainted as this government has
been with the character of the imperial
German government and with the high
principles Of equity by which they have
in the past been actuated and guided,
the government of the United States
cannot believe that the commanders of
the vessels which committed these acts
of lawlessness did so except under mis-
apprehension of the orders issued by the
imperial German naval authorities
1t takes it for granted that at least
within the practical possibilities Of every
such case the commanders even Of sub
marines were expected to do nothing that
would involve the lives of non -combatants
or the safety of neutral ships, even at the
cost of failing of their object of capture or
destruction. 1t confidently expects, there
fore, that the imperial German govern
ment will disavow the acts of which the
government of the United States COM
plains, that they will make reparation Sc
far as reparation is possible for injuries
which are without measure and that they
will take immediate steps to prevent the
recurrence Of anything so obviously sub
versive of the principles of warfare for
which the imperial German government
have in the past so wisely and so firmly
contended.
EXPECTS PROMPT ACTION BY GERMANY.
The government and the people of the
United States look to the imperial German
government for just, prompt and enlieht-
ened action in this vital matter with the
greater confidence because 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 State:
and the kingdom of Prussia.
Expressions of regret and offers of repa
ration in case of the destruction of neutra
ships sunk by mistake, while they may
satisfy International obligations, if no LOST
of life results, cannot justify or excuse &
practice. the natural and necessary effec
of which is to subject neutral nations
and neutral persons to new and immeasur
able risks.
NOTE WILL BE ENFORCED BY DEEDS.
The imperial German government will
not expect the government of the Unitet
States to omit any word or any act neces
sary to the performance of its sacred dut,
of maintaining the rights of the Unite,
States and its citizens and Of safeguarding
their free exercise and enjoyment.
BRYAN.
The United States awaits Germany
reply, which. it is supposed, will be mad
next week.