The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-24
While No Intimation Is Given
First Move Would Be Break
ing OFF Diplomatic Relations
NOTE PUTS BRITISH
+. ON NOTICE AS WELL
United States Will Not Stand
For Violations of Interna-
tional Law Directed Against
Germany

Washington, July 23.--The
note presented at the German
foreign ONCE By Ambassador Ger
ard today, as viewed IN Washing
ton, means that another sub
marine stack ON American life
will result In u break between
Germany and the United States.
The climax of President VIII
sons warning to Germany In re-
card to the right of Americans
cpvncs In the final sentence OF his
note as follows:
"FricniShip itself prompts II
(the United states goyernment)
90 say 10 the Imperial govern
meat that repetition by the COM
mandcfs Of German naval vessels
al acts In confravcntion OF those
rights must be regarded by the
government OF the United States,
when they affect American 9Th
xens. sss deliberately unfriendiy.
HUT that h not the only express
sion through which President Will
son voices the determination OF
himself and the American peo-
ME. H notifies Germany that
the Emitted States Will contend Tor
its RIGHTS as neutral without
compromise and at any cost"
Practices OF gisc German naval
forces. such as have been pro-
tested by this government, II
persisted i'm. will constitute IAN
,npartionable offense against the
sovereignty Of any neutral nation
affected"
slap at British.
Az against these severe statement
there Ia q feature of the nota which
. expected to go far toward allayins
The deep anti-American feeling tina
q likely 10 be aroused in Germany
The Presidents warning that ms
United States xiil contend for AmsF
|can rights on the high seas with
but compromise and at any cost" i
made to apply equally to Grea'
Britain as well az to Germany. These
rights will be protected from what
ever quarter violated is the way Mr.
Wilson puts 1t.
There Is no doubt that this will b.
regarded, both In Germany and j
The United States. as a promise OF
The part OF this government TO dea
~ vigorously and insistently witt
British violation of neutral rights oil
rne high seas as With Germany
Illegal acts.
1t often has been asserted tina
could the German government ant
people be convinced that the Unite'
States government was sincerely en-
only 10 assert It's rights AM
not to favor the allies as agains
much of the resentmen
caused by the submarine issue woul'
disappear This expression
vas deliberately written into the not
With this phase Of the German atti
lude In mind.
Another Striking Feature.
There 10 still another feature OF thu
note in which the German govern
ment may. II 1t chooses to DO so, nnt
some cause for qualification. Th'
in two paragraphs writer
by his own hand. adyerts to the re
marks of the German note or July
shout the mutual interest OF the two
governments in '.the freedom of thu
oaas, and opens the way to German!
% prove the sincerity OF her state
menk that she really desires law 4
reign supreme during this war.
Declaring that both government
are contending for the freedom of tn
seas the note invites the practical CO
operation OF the German government
ssnt this time. when cooperation ma,
accomplish most" The President no
Dnly echoes the expressed wish OF Ger
many that this object may be &C
during the present war
but also asserts that It can be at
Eained. The United States, II Is de
clAred. holds itself ready to act a
The common friend of the helligerent
Interested In this case.
Assertions Double Edged.
While these assertions of the Presi
dentss position are generally regard
IA as open to the construction tina
khe United States IL ready TO wori
With Germany in furthering O hon,
|ade proposal for restoring the observ
nnce OF law on the high seas by Eng
I'D. a. well as by Germany, II 4
Mo the opinion here that they an
kwo-edgei. The Presidents word
are combined with the assertion c
this governments determination {
tCcnttnued on Secs.rd Paxai