The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1915-05-13
PRESIDENT ISSUES
NOTE TO GERMANY
ATTACKS BY SUBMARINES
MUST CEASE AND RIGHT OF
NEUTRALS BE RESPECTED,
SAYS WILSON.

oIoISo, liz d lote W De sent TO Gef-
many tomorrow, demands a guaran-
tee that there will be no further at
tacks by submarines on merchant
ships carrying noncombatants. 1t
serves notice that full reparation will
be sought for the loss of more than
100 American lives in the sinking of
| the Lusitania and for other violations
of American rights in the sea zones
| of war.
While no indication is given of the
steps to be taken if Germany's reply
is unfavorable, the note says the
American government will leave moth
ing undone, in diplomatic representa-
tions or other actions, to obtain a
compliance with its requests.
No important changes were made
in the communication which was writ
ten Sunday by the president and ap-
proved by the cabinet yesterday. The
principal points in the note are sub
stantially as follows:
l. The United States calls atten-
ton to the various Incidents in the
war zone proclaimed by Germany
around the British Isles; the sinking
of the British liner Falaba, with the
loss of Leon c. Thrasher, an Ameri-
can; the attack by German airmen
ON the steamer Cushing, the torpedo
ing without warning of the American
steamer Gulfight, flying the Stars and
Stripes, and the torpedoing without
warning of the Lusitania with its loss
of more than 1000 lives of noncom-
batants, among them more than 100
Americans.
2. These acts are declared to be
lndefensible under international law.
The United States points out that it
never admitted Germanys right to do
them and warned the imperial govern
ment that it would be held to a "strict
accountability" for attacks on Amer
lean vessels and lives. A strict ac
counting now is asked from Germany.
3. The usual financial reparation
will be sought, although Germany is
reminded that no reparation can re-
store the lives of those sacrificed in
the sinking of the Lusitania and ether
ships. -
4. Expressions of regret may COM
ply with the legal Precedents, but
they are valueless unlek accompanied
by a cessation of the practices en-
dangering lives of noncombatants.
5. The right of neutrals to travel
any point of the high seas on neutral
or belligerent merchantmen is assert
ed.
6. In the name of humanity and
international law the United States
demands guarantee that these rights
will be respected and that there be no
repetition of the attacks on merchant
men carrying noncombatants.
7. The giving of warning to the
American public without officially
communicating them to the United
States government is commented on
IN connection with the German en-
bassy's printed advertisements before
the sailing of the Lusitania, but ir-
respective of the failure to advise the
American government of Germany's
purpose. The point is made that no.
tice of an intention to do an unlawful
act neither justifies nor legalizes it.
8. 1t is suggested Germany could
not have intended to destroy innocent
lives and that consequently the Ger-
man submarine commanders must
have misunderstood their instruc-
tions. The American government in
dicates its hope that this will be
found to be true and that a cessation
of the unlawful practices will result.
9. Germany's attention is called to
the earnestness of the people of the
United States. 1t is made plain that
the United States will leave nothing
undone either in diplomatic represen-
tation or other action to obtain a
compliance by Germany to the re-
quest.
The note is couched in friendly
terms, but is Enthusiastically firm. By
the suggestion that German subma-
rine commanders must have misun-
derstood their instructions or that the
German government could not have
intended to destroy innocent lives,
room is given for disavowal by Ger
many and an assurance that future
attacks will be prohibited.
Some international lawyers and
diplomats believe Germany's compli-
ance with the terms of the American
note would not be surprising and that
such a course would not be a depart
ure from previous expressions.