Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-14

Washington, May 13.-The United
bassador Gerard for presentation to
the German government Lote calling
attention ito the grave situation
which has resulted from violation of
American rights on the high seas,
eliminating in the sinking of the Lus
itania with a loss of more than 100
American lives.
DisavowaI of Acts Looked For.
The communication expresses the
confident expectation of the United
States that the Imperial German gov
ernment will diSavow the acts of
which the government of the United
States complains, that they will make
reparafon so far as reparation is pos
sible for injuries which are without
measure and that they will take i'm
mediate steps to prevent the recur-
renee of anything so obviously sub
versive of the principles of warfare
for which the Imperial German gov
ernment in the past SO wisely and so
firmly -contended."
In it's conclusion the note says that
'the Imperial German government will
not expect the government of the
United States to omit any word or any
act necessary to the performance of
it's sacred duty of maintaining the
rights of the United States and it's
exercises and enjoyment"
The Full Text.
The full text of the note was made
public tonight by the state depart
ment as follows:
Department of State. Washington
May IS, 1915.
THE Secretary of State to the Ameri-
can Ambassador at Berlin.
"PlpaSa call on the 00iniSfa of for
eign affairs and after reading to him
this communication leave with him a
copy.
Clear and Full Understanding.
In view of recent acts of the Ger
man authorities in violation of Amer
lean rights on the high seas which
eliminated in the torpedoing and
sinking of the British steamship Lusi-
tania on May z, 1915, by which over
100 American citizens lost their lives,
1t is clearly wise and desirable that
the government of the United States
and the Imperial German government
should come to a clear and full under
standing as to the grave situation
which has resulted.
Serious Events Involved
The sinking of the British pas
senger steamer Falaba by German
submarine on March %, through
which Leon G. Thrasher, an Ameri-
can citizen was drowned; the attack
on April 28 on the American vessel
Gushing by a German aeroplane; the
torpedoing on May first of the Amert-
can vessel Gulflight by a German
submarine, as a result of which two or
more American citizens met their
death; and finally, the torpedoing and
sinking Of the steamship Lusitania,
constitute a series of events which the
government of the United States has
observed with growing concern, dis
tress and amazement.
Freedom of Sea Sacred.
Recalling the humane and en-
lightened attitude hitherto assumed by
the Imperial German government in
matters of international right and par
ticularly with regard to the freedom
of the seas; having learned to recog-
nize the German views and the Ger
man influence in the field of inter-
national obligation as always engaged
upon the side of justice and humanity:
and having understood the instruction
of the Imperial German government
TO its naval commanders to be upon
the same plans of humane action pre-
Ecribed by the naval codes of other
nations, the government of the United
States was 1oath to believe-it can
not now bring itself to believe-that
these acts, so absolutely contrary to
the rules, the practices and the spirit
of modern warfare, could have the
countenance or sanction Of that great
government. 1t feels 1t to be it's duty
therefore, to address the Imperial
German government concerning them
with the utmost frankness and in the
earnest hope that it is not mistaken
in expecting action on the part Of the
Imperial German government which
will correct the unfortunate impress
sions which have been created and
vindicate once more the position OF
that government with regard to the
Eacred freedom of the seas.
Strict Accountability.
THE government of the United
States has been apprised that the I'M
perial German government considered
themselves to be obliged by the ex-
traordinary circumstances of the
present war and the measures adopted
by their adversarieS in seeking to
cut Germany off from all commerce, to
adopt methods of retaliation which go
beyond the ordinary methods of war
fare at sea, in the proclamation of a
war zone from which they have warn
I'd neutral ships to keep away. This
-.~e7-I-VArN