Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-16

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peace Of an assured permanency. We
have been obliged to adopt q subma-
rtne warfare to meet the declared in
tentions Of our enemies and the meth
od OF warfare adopted by them in
contravention OF international law.
Fighting for Existence.
with all its efforts in principle to
protect neutral life and property
from damage as much as possible, the
German government recognized unre-
servedly in its memorandum of Feb
ruary that the interests of neutrals
might suffer from the submarine war
fare. However, the American govern
ment win also understand and appre-
ciate that in the fight for existence
which has been forced upon Germany
by its adversaries and announced by
them, 1t is the sacred duty or the inn
perial government to do all within its
power to protect and save the lives Of
German subjects. If the imperial
government were derelict in these, It's
duties, 1t would be guilty before God
and history of the violation of those
principles of highest humanity which
are the foundation of every national
existence.
Vase OF &U<aNtas
"The case of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what jeop-
ardizing of human lives the manner Of
conducting war employed by our ad-
versaries leads. In the most direct
contradiction Of international law, all
distinction between merchantmen and
war vessels have been obliterated by
the order to British merchantmen to
n a IN loo a
rines, and the promise of rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chantmen as travellers thereby have
been exposed in an increasing degree
to all the dangers OF war.
IF the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tania had caused the crew and passen-
gers to take to the boats before fir
ing torpedo this would have meant
the sure destruction OF his own yes
sci. After the experiences in sinking
much smaller and less seaworthy YES
sells, 1t was to be expected that a
mighty ship like the Lusitania would
remain above water long enough even
after the torpedoing to permit passen-
gers to enter the ships boats Cir.
cumstances of a very peculiar kind,
especially the presence on board of
large quantities Of highly explosive
materials, defeated this expectation.
In addition it may be pointed out that
IL the Lusitania had been spared
thousands of cases of munitions would
have been sent to Germany's enemies
and thereby thousands Of German
mothers and children robbed of bread
winners.
viii Not Hinder American Ships.
TN the spirit OF friendship where.
with the German nation has been i'm.
bued towards the Union and it's in.
habitants since the earliest days Of its
existence, the imperial government
will always be ready to do all it can
during the present war also to prevent
the jeopardizing of lives of American
citizens. The imperial government
therefore, repeats the assurances that
American ships will not be hindered
in the prosecution of legitimate ship
ping and the lives of American citi
zens in neutral vessels shall not pe
placed in jeopardy.
I'm order to exclude any unfore
seen dangers to American passenger
steamers, made possible in view of the
conduct of maritime war by Germany
adVersaries, German submarines viii
be instructed to permit the free anC
safe passage of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by spe
cial markings and notified a reason,
able time in advance. The imperia
government, however, confidentl!
hopes that the American government
will assume to guarantee that thes,
vessels have no contraband on board
details of arrangement for the unham
j pered passage of these vessels to b.
agreed upon by the naval authorize
of both sides.
Can Increase Number of Ships.
Tin order to furnish adequate faeil
ties for travel across the Atlantic 70
American citizens, the German GOV
eminent submits for consideration
proposal to increase the number O
available steamers by installing Il
passenger service a reasonable nun
Der of neutral steamers under tn
American flag, the exact number to b
agreed upon under the came condit1o
as the above mentioned America
steamers.
1.-THE imperial government believe
1t can assume that in this name
adequate facilities for travel acros
: the Atlantic ocean can be afforde
american clL1ZGnE. 1nerG WOulC
therefore, appear to be no compellin
necessity for American citizens I
travel to Europe in time of war O
: ships carrying an enemy flag. In pa
ticular the imperial government is III
able to admit that American citizen
can protect an enemy ship throug
the mere fact of their presence o
board.
i Would Allow Four Enemy Ships.
: Germany merely followed EN-
lands example when she declare
part OF the high sea an area OF wa
Consequently, accidents suffered b
neutrals ON enemy ships in an are
: of war cannot well be judged diffe
emily from accidents to which ne
: trails are ali times exposed at tie Sc,
!. of war on land when they betaE
! themselves into dangerous localitiC
! In spite OF previous warnings. ]
however. IL should not be possib
for the American government to r
quire an adequate number OF neutr
passenger steamers, the imperial go
eminent is prepared to interpose I
objection to the placing under Il
y American flag by the American go
eminent of four enemy passeng