The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-07-29

WASHINGTON July 24-Following is the official
text of the latest American note to Germany regard
ing submarine warfare, which was delivered to the
foreign office at Berlin yesterday by Ambassador
Gerard.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO AMBASSADOR
GERARD, DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, July Fl, 1915.
You are instructed to deliver textuay the follow
ing note to the minister of foreign affairs:
The note of the imperial German Government
dated the 9Th of July 1915, has received the careful
consideration of the government OF the United
States, and it regrets to be obliged to that it
has found it very unsatisfactory, because it fails to
meet the real difference between the two govern
ments and indicates way in which the accepted
principles of law and humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but proposes, on the
contrary, arrangements for partial suspension of
those principles, which virtually set them aside.
The government of the United States, notes with
satisfaction that the imperial German government
recognizes without reservation the validity of the
principles insisted upon in the several communica-
tons which this government has addressed the i'm
perial German government with regard to its an
nouncement of a zone and the use of submarines
against merchantmen the high seas-the principle
that the high seas free, that the character and
cargo of a merchantmen must first be ascertained
before she can lawfully be sliced destroyed and
that the lives of non-cOmbatants may in no case be
put in jeopardy unless the vessel ressts or seeks to
escape after being summoned to submit to examin-
alton; for belgerent act of retaliation is per
an act beyond the law, and the defense of act
retaliatory in an admission that it is illegal.
GERMAN STAND DISAPPOINTING TO UNITED
STATES.
The government of the United States u.s. however,
keeny disappointed to find that the imperial German
regards itself in large degree exempt
from the obligation to observe these principles even
where neutral vessels concerned by what it be-
ieves the policy and practice of the government OF
Great Britain to in the present with regard to
neutral commerce. The imperial German govern
ment will readily understand that the government OF
the United States cannot discuss the policy of the
government of Great Britain with regard to neutral
trade except with the government itself, and that 1t
regard the conduct of other belgerent govern
ments as irrelevant to any discussion with the i'm
perial German government of what this government
regards as grave and unustifable violations of the
rights of American citizens by German naval COM
manders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however justihable they
may be thought to be against an enemy who is be-
Heved to have acted in contravention of law and
humanity are manifestly indefensibe when they de-
prive neutrals of their acknowledged rights, parti-
cularly when they violate the right to life ITSELF Ii
! belligerent cannot retaliate against an enemy
without injuring the lives of neutrals, well as
their property, humanity, well as justice and a
due regard for the dignity of neutral powers, should
dictate that the practice be discontinued If persist
ed in it would in such circumstances constitute an
objectionable ofense against the sovereignty of the
neutral nation affected
ALTERATION OF CIRCUMSTANCE DECLARED
NO EXCUSE
The government of the United States is not I'M
mindful of the extraordinary conditions created by
this war that of the radical alterations of circum
stance and method of attack produced by the of
instrumentates of naval warfare which the nations
of world cannot have had in view when the exist
ing rules of international law were formulated, and