The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-07-15
GERMANYS REPLY TO AMERICAN
NOTE ON THE LUSITAN|A ISSUE
Refuses to Guarantee Protection to American
Passengers on Beigerent Ships
Situation Now at Crisis.

Washington. OF the press
translation OF the German note con
nrmed Impressions which have been
current in official quarters for several
days that Germany would refuse to
give the assurances asked for by the
United States in her last note that the
lives OF Americans travelling the high
seas on unarmed ships Of any nation
ality be not endangered.
Another Issue Raised.
The apparent restrictions placed by
Germany on the use OF American
passenger ships. which are to be given
complete immunity from interference
only II they do not carry contraband,
was regarded in many quarters as
adding another to the many issues
which have arisen over submarine
warfare. Assumption OF liability for
the loss Of Americans in the Lusitania
tragedy was considered to have been
wholly evaded by Germany. and the
chief principle for which the United
States announced that It would omit
no word or act" to see observed was
viewed as having been lightly passed
over"
To Hold Germany Responsible.
What the course Of the United
States will be Is problematical Many
Of those In official quarters who have
been familiar with Germany's pro
posals as outlined by Ambassador
Gerard in the last few days are in
favor Of an emphatic assertion by the
American Government that II intends
10 exercise the rights which II holds
under international law. placing upon
Germany the responsibility for any
future violation that may cause
breach in friendly relations.
Many persons conyersant with
diplomatic precedents in the framing
OF notes believed that the next step
Of necessity would be an advance in
the position Of the United States, for,
having asked for assurances and failed
20 receive them. the field for further
negotiation had been considerably
narrowed and now requires some as
sertion Of rights.
Berlin.-The text OF the German
note follows:
Berlin, July s.
"The undersigned has the honor TO
make the following reply to his Excel
lency Ambassador Gerard TO the note
OF the 10th ultimo re the impairment
OF American interests by the German
submarine war The Imperial Govern
ment learned with satisfaction from
the note how earnestly the Govern
ment Of the United States is concern
ed in seeing the principles Of humanity
realized in the present war Also this
appeal finds ready echo in Germany
and the Imperial Government is quite
willing to permit It's statements and
decisions in the present case to be
governed by the principles Of hu-
manity just as it has done always.
Always" Humane.
"The Imperial Government vel
coined with gratitude when the Ameri-
can Government in the note of May
10 itself recalled that Germany has al
ways permitted itself TO be governed
by the principles Of progress and hui
manity in dealing with the law Of
maritime war. Since the time when
Frederick the Great negotiated with
John Adams. Benjamin Franklin and
Thomas jefferson the treaty Of friend
ship and commerce OF September 9,
1855. between Prussia and the Re
public Of the West German and
American statesmen have, in fact al
ways stood together in the struggle
for the freedom OF the seas and for
the protection OF peaceable trade. II
the international proceedings which
since have been conducted for the
regulation OF the laws Of maritime
war Germany and America have joint
" advocated progressive principles,
especially the abolishment Of the
right of capture at sea and the pro
lection of the interests OF neutrals.
Would Change International Law.
Even at the beginning Of the pres
ent war the German Government inn
mediately declared its willingness, in
response to proposals Of the Ameri-
can Government, to raify the Declara-
tion Of London and thereby subject
itself in the use Of its naval forces TO
all the restrictions provided therein
in favor Of neutrals Germany like
wise has been always teacious OF the
principle that war should be conduct
ed against the armed and organized
forces Of an enemy country but that
the enemy civilian population must
be spared as far as possible from the
measures Of war.
1.-The Imperial Government cherishes
the definite hope that some way will
be found when peace is concluded, or
perhaps earlier to regulate the law Of
maritime war In a manner guaran-
teeing the freedom of the seas, and
will welcome II with gratitude and
satisfaction If it can work hand-in.
hand with the American Government
on that occasion.
"If in the present war the principles
which should be the ideal Of the future
have heen traversed more and more