Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-12

friendly settlement. break Off diplomatic
relations and thus create condition out
of which war might come without the In
tention OF either country. do not ask
you to nininiise the earnestnoss Of the
presidents statement; that would be un-
fair. both TO him and TO Germany. The
sinking OF the Lusitauia cannot be de-
tended upon the facts as we understand
them. The killing Of innocent women and
children cannot be justified. whether the
killing 10 by drowning or starvation; no
nation can successfully plead the inhn-
manlty OF its enemies as an excuse for
Iinhumanity on its own part. While y Is
true that cruelty Il apt 70 boget cruelty
Il cannot be said that Lake cures IKE
Always Applies.
Even IN war we are not absoived from
obllgations 70 remedy events by the In
fluenoe OF good example. Let your lights
20 sine n a preoept that knows no
tsrnss nor seasons AZ II knows neither
latitude nor songituds.
Third; DO not attempt to connect
the negotiations which are going on be-
tween the United states ana Germany
with those between the Uaitod States
ana Great Britain. The cases arc diff
ferent, but even n they were tho same
|it would be necessary 10 treat with eaen
ration separately. Ny personal PREFER
enoe has been 20 repeat our fnsistenoe
that the allies shall not interfere wtth
our commerce with neutral countries.
but the difference on this point was q
matter Of Judgment and not a matter
Of principIe. In the note 20 Great Brit
ain dated March .. this government said'
Relies on Assurances.
In view Of these assurances formally
given 70 this government Il ID confidently
expected that the extensive powers con-
ferred by the order In council on the
executive officers Of the crown wiz be
restricted By 'o~aera Issued by the SOW
erRmont directing the exercise Of their
discretionary powers In such a manner
a. TO modify In practical Application
thoao proyisloAs Of the order in council
which if strictly enforced would violate
neutral Fightss and intsrrupt legitimate
trade. Relying on the faithful perform
ance OF these voluntary assurances by his
majestsi'a government the United states
takes u for granted that the approach
of American merchantznen 70 neutral
ports situated upon the long line OF
coast affected by the order In council
viii not be interferred with when II Is
known that they DO not carry goods
which are ocntraband OF war or goods
destined 20 or proceeding from ports
within the beiiigerent territory aftected.
WIN Tnsfst ON Position.
There is no doubt that our government
will insist upon this position; that IL an
important thing. the date OF the note h
not matsrisl My reason for desiring To-
have the matter presented 10 Great Brit
ain AZ once was not that Germany had
any rieht to ask u. but because I was
anxious TO make Il as easy a. possible for
Germany 20 accept the demands Of the
United states ana cease TO employ SUBJ
marines against merchantmen There Is
no reason why any 0eFman-American
should doubt the presidents Intentions
IN this matter. am sure that every
one will on reflection rvcognlss that our
duty 10 prevent loss OF life IL more ur-
gent than our duty TO prevent interior
enoe with trade-loAs Of trade can be
compensated for with money. but no
settlement that the United States ana
Germany may reach can call hack 70
life thoss who went down with the Luei-
tanie,-and war would be the most ex-
lpensive q ell settlements because II
would enormously add to the number Of
the dead.
i Can Frust q. ..
Fourth; ! hope that Germany viii
aequiesee IN the demands that have beer
made. and hope that Il win acauIsc,
IN them without conditions. II can trusl
the United States 10 deal Justly with
e on the consideration OF any changes
that Il may propose In the intsrnatInna
ruiss that govern the taking OF prsxes
The more generously u acts IN this mat
ter the greater will be the glory which
Il viii derive from Il. II has raised
question which q now receiving ssriou
Consideration. namely. WHISTLER the IN
troduction Of the submarine neeeasitate
any change In the rules governing In
capture Of prlzee.
The position seemingly taken by Ger
many. nanleiy. that Il Is entitled 4
drown noncompatAnta. because they rid
with contraband. q an undenablo posi-
} tioni the most that Il could insist upo,
is that. IN view OF the inlroductlon .
this new weapon OF warfare. new rule
should be adopted-separating passenger
from Questionable cargo
0nly slight chaases.
II the use % the submarine justifie
such a change IN the law Of blockad
J - viii permit the Gordon 10 b with
; drawn far enough from ths shore .
avoid the danger Of submarins attaci
may II not be found possihle % ssenr
I Ian international .agreement b. Whic
, lpas.eaesrB viii b sxciuded from chip
. carrying eontraband. or a least froI
l lthoas carryfng ANNEXATION. II would n
! lquiFs but a si1ght change m the shippin
/ law 70 ankle this separation and bsllil
ercnt nations might - restrained fruE
B unnecessarily laereaslak lAs oontahan
, Hist n they were compelled 20 carv eo1