Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-10
GERMANY DEMANDS u. S. SHIPS
MUST NOT CARRY CONTRABAND

that mighty ship Hike the Lusitania
would remain above %ater long enough,
even after the torpedoihN to permit pas
sengers to enter the shfTs boats. Cir
cumstances OF a very pecddiar kind, es-
peoially the presence on boegd Of large
quantities Of highly explosive materials
(word omitted, possibly dissipstedD this
expectation. In addition, It maF be
pointed out that II the Busitania bad
been spared, thousands of cases Of mimi
tions would have been sent to Germany's
enemies. and thereby thousands of Gers
man mothers and children robbed Of
bread-winners.
I'm the spirit of friendship wherewith
the German nation has been imbued to-
ward the Union and its inhabitants since
the earliest days OF It's existence, the lm-
perial Government will always be ready
to do all II can during the present war.
also, to prevent the jeopardlzing Of lives
of American citizens. The Imperial Gov
ernment, therefore, repeats the assur-
ances that American ships will not be
hindered In the prosecution Of legitimate
shipping and the lives of American oit-
Gems in neutral vessels shall not be
placed in jeopardy.
I'm order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers TO American passenger steamers,
made possible in view OF the conduct OF
maritime war by Germany'H adversaries,
German submarines will be Instructed to
permit the free and safe passage of such
passenger steamers when made reoog-
nizable by special marking and notified
a reasonable time In advance. The Inn
perlal Government, however, confidently
hopes that the American Government VIII
assume to guarantee that these vessels
have no contraband on board, details OF
arrangement for the unhampered passage
of these vessels 20 be agreed upon by the
uttNbprltfau nf hOth uidec.
PROVIDE FACILITIES
I'm order to furnish adequate facilities
for travel across the Atlantic for Amer
lean pitizens, tho German Government
submits for consideration proposal to
increase the number of availEble steam
ships by installing in passenger service
a reasonable number of neutral steam
ships under the American flag, the exact
number to be agreed upon under the
same conditions as the aforementioned
American steamships
'"rhe Imperial GoveGnment believes 1t
can assume that in this manner adequate
facilities for travel across the Atlantic
Ocean can be afforded American citizens.
There would, therefore, appear to be no
compelling necessity for American citizens
to travel to Europe In time OF war on
ships carrying an enemy flag. In par
ticular the Imperial Government is un-
able to admit that American citizens can
protect an enemy ship through the mere
fact of their presence on board.
Germany merely followed England's
example when she declared part Of the
high seas an area of war. Consequently,
ships in this area of war cannot well be
judged differently from accidents to
which neutrals are at all times exposed
at the seat of war on land when they be-
take themselves into dangerous locall
ties in spite of previous warnings II,
however, 1t should not be possible for the
American Government to acquire an ad-
euuate number of neutral passenger
steamers, the Imperial Government of
prepared to interpose no objections to
the placing under the American flag by
the American Government of four enemy
passenger steamers for passenger traffic
between North America and England.
Assurances OF free and safe passage for
American passenger steamers would ex-
tend to apply under the identical pro-
conditions to these formerly hostile pas
senger steamers.
"The President of the United States
has declared his readiness in a way de-
serving of thanks to communicate and
suggest proposals to the Government OF
Great Britain with particular reference
to the alteration of maritime war.
1.-THE Imperial Government will always
be glad to make use of the good offices
of the President, and hopes that his ef-
forts in the present case, as we'll as in the
direction of the lofty ideal of the free
dom Of the seas, will lead to an under
standing.
1.-THE undersigned requests the Am
bassador to bring the above to the knowl-
edge of the American Government, and
avails himself of the opportunity to re-
new TO his Excellency the assurance OF
his most distinguished consideration.
(Signed) won JAGoW."