Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1915-07-16

with horrible clearness to what ieop-
ardizing of human lives the ANN of
conducting war employed by our ad-
v~ersaries 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.
III 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 a
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 a very peculiar
kind, especially the presence on
board of large quantities of highly ex-
plosive materials defeated this expec-
tation.
I'm addition It may be pointed out
that If the Lusitania had been spared
thousands of cases of munitions would
have been sent to Germany's enemies
and thereby thousands of German
mothers and children robbed of bread
winners.
"In the spirit of friendship where.
with the German nation has been inn
bued toward the Union and its inhabi-
tants since the earliest days of its ex-
lstence, 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 Germany's
a~dversaries, 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 c%ontraband
ON hhard dntaf1u nf uronunv,n-A e..
the u~nhampered passage of these YES
sells to be agreed upon by the naval
authorities of both sides.
NeutraIs Suffered on Enemy's Ships.
"In order to furnish adequate IA.
cilities for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens, the German
government submits for consideration
a proposal to increase the number of
available steamers by installing in
passenger service a reasonable num-
Der 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
1t can assume that in this manner ade-
aANNS AaNAAANAGo AOA NIdNGl dCIOb6 Lnb
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 wal on ships carry
ing an enemy flag.
In particular the imperial gov
eminent is unable to admit that
American citizens a 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 well be judged differ
emily from accidents to which neu-
trails are at all times exposed at the
seat OF war IN land when they be-
take themselves into dangerous To-
calities in spite Of previous warn
ings.
IF, however, it should not be DOS
sible for the American government to
require an adequate number of neu-
trail passenger steamers, the imperial
government is prepared to i~nterpose
no objections to the placing under the
American flag by the American gov
eminent of four enemy passenger
steamers for passenger traffic be-
tween North America and England.
Assure Americans Safe Passage.
Assurances of free and safe pass
sage for American passenger steam
ers would extend to apply under the
identical pro-conditions to these for
merly hostile passenger steamers.
THE President of the United States
has declared his readiness, in a way
deserving of thanks, to communicate
and suggest proposals to the govern
ment of Great Britain with particular
reference to the alteration Of marine
war. The imperial government will
always be glad to make use of the
good offices of the President, and
hopes that his efforts in the present
case, as well as in the direction of the
lofty ideal of the freedom Of the seas,
will lead to an understanding.
THE undersigned requests the am
bassador to bring the above to the
knowledge of the American govern.
ment and avails himself of the oppor-
tunity to renew to his ex~cellency the
assurances of his most distinguished
consideration. (Signed)
won JAGOW."
generals, and Enrique Gorostieta and
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