Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-14

ships and in travelling wherever then
legimate business calls them upon
the high seas, and exercise those
rights in what should be the we'll
justified confidence that their lives
will not be endangered by acts done
in clear violation of universally ack.
nowledged international obligations,
and certainly in the confidence that
their own Government will sustain
them in the exercise Of their rights.
There was recently published in
the newspapers of the United States
I regret to inform the Imperial Ger
man Government a formal warning.
purpo rting to come from the Imperial
German Embassy at Washington, ad-
dressed to the people of the United
States, and stating, in effect, that
any citizen of the United States who
exercised his right of free travel up
on the seas would do so at his peril
if his journey should take him with
in the zone of waters within which
the Imperial German Navy was us
inc submarines against the commerce
of Great Britain and France, not
withstanding the respectful but very
earnest protest of his Government,
the Government of the United States.
I do not refer to this for the pur-
pose Of calling the attention Of the
Imperial German Government at this
time to the surprising irrcgularity
Of Il communication from the I'M
perial German Embassy at Washing
ton addressed to the people Of the
United States through the news
papers, but only for the purpose OF
pointing out that no warning that ar
unlawful and inhumane act will be
committed can possibly be accepted
as an excuse or palliation for that
act or as an abatement of the res
possibility for its commission.
Long acquainted as this Govern
ment has been with the character Of
The Imperial German Government ant
with the high principles of equity ny
which they have in the past been ac-
tuated and guided, the Government
of the United States can not be-
iieve that the commanders Of the
vessels which committed these acts
If lawlessness did 50 except under 3
of the orders is
sued by the Imperial German naval
Ii taihes il for granted
that. at least within the practical
possibilities OF every such case the
commanders even Of submarines
were expected to. do nothing that
would involve the lives Of noncom-
',atants or the safety Of neutral ships
aven at the cost Of failing OF then
object of capture or destruction 1t
confidently expects, therefore, that
the Imperial German Government
will disavow. the acts of which ths
of the: United States
complains, that theys will. make re;
paration so far as reparation is pos
sible for injuries which are with
5rt. measure, and that they will take
immediate steps to prevent the re-
currence of anything so obviously
subversive of the principles of war
fare for which the Imperial German
Government {; have in the past so wise
" and so firmly contended.
The Government and people OF the
United States look to the lmperlal
German Government for just, prompt
and enlightened action in this vital
matter with the greater confldenc.
because the United States and Ger
MANY are bound together not only
bv special ties of friendship but also
by the explicit stipulations of the
treaty Of 1928 between the United
States and the Kingdom Of Prussia.
Expressions of regret and offers
,r reparation in case of the destruc-
tion Of neutral ships sunk by mistake
while they may satisfy international
obligations, if no loss of life results
cannot Justify or. excuse praclice'
the natural and necessary effort OF
which is to subject neutral nations
ard neutral persons to new ana I'M
measurable risks.
The Imperial German Government
will not expect the Government OF the
United States to omit any word OF any
act necessary to the performance OF
its sacred duty of maintaining the
rights of the United States and It's
citizens and of safeguarding their
free exercise and enjoyment.
BRYAN.