The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-07-30
Department OF State.
washington, July y, 1913.

/ bu are lISl utl'u W ttli'' i VA ! E
ually the following note to the min ,
lister of foreign affairs:
The note Of the imperial govern !
ment dated the Sth Of July, 1913, has
received the careful consideration OF
the government of the United States,
and it regrets to be obliged to say
that it has found it very unsatisfactory
because it fails TO meet the real dill
ferences between the two govern
ments and indicates no way in which
the accepted principles OF law ard
humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pre-
poses, on the contrary, arrangements
for a partial suspension of those prln-
| cipes which virtually set them aside.
The government OF the united
| States notes with satisfaction thaI
the imperial German government rec
ognizes without reservation the va
liditv of the principles insisted upon
in the several communications winch
this government has addressed to the
immortal German government WITH
regard to the announcement or war
zone and the use or SUBMARINES
against merchantmen on the hish
seas-the principle that the hlsh
seas are free, that the character anu
cargo Of a merchantmen must nrs'
he ascertained before she can lawful!
he seized or destroyed, and that the
lives Of non-combatants may IN no
case be put in jeopardy unless lhe
vessel resists or seeks to escape alter
haing summoned to submit to exam
ination: for a belligerent act or re-
taliation is per Sc an act beyond liie
law and the defense Of an act as
retaliatory is an admission that 1t IS
q illegal
Can't Change Neutral Rights.
"Tha government of the unlteI
- States is, however, keenly dlsappolh'
a., 70 find that the imperial govern
-. ment regards itself as in large oe
II gree exempt from the obligation I
h observe these principles, even Vher'
;s neutral vssels are concernd, by VIVA
N il believes the policy and pracuc
10 Of the government of Great Britain t
j. be in the present war with regard u
a. neutral commerce.
lie "The imperial German government
y will readily understand that the gov
Is eminent of the United States canno
Y. discuss the policy of the government
Sc of Great Britain with regard to neu
NJ trail trade except with that govern
Id ment itself, and that it must regar
Mt the conduct of other belligerent gov
re ernmens as irrelevant to any discus
sion with the imperial German gov
re eminent of what this government re
n. CARDS as grave and unjustifiiable VIC
n lations OF the rights Of American CT
to izens bv German naval commanders
of Illegal and inhuman acts, howeve
o. Unsuitable they may be thought to bt
~ against an enemy VINO is believed t
N. have acted in contravention OF LAY
nd and humanity, are manifestly inc'
81. fensible when they deprive neutral
TO If their acknowledged rights, partl'
In ularlv when they violate the right
lg life itself.
ro ",f a beIIgerent cannot retaliat
cd AGAINST an enemy without injur'n
t's the lives Of neutrals, as we'll as the
I'm nroperty, humanity, as we'll as justie
dy and a due regard for the dignity
neutral powers, should dictate that til
nractce be discontinued. If persiste
in Il would in such circumstances col
raj stitute an objectionable offens
led AGAINST the sovereignty Of the neutr;
re- nation affected.
re. "The government OF the Unite
States is not unmindful of the extr
ordinary conditions created by tn
war or of the radical alterations
WIN circumstances and method OF attaF
re. nroduced by the use Of Instruments
v q tiles Of naval warfare which the n
t;ons Of the world cannot have had
view when the existing rules OF l
transitional law was formulated, ar
las # is ready to make every reasonab
Tor allowance for these novel and une
md pected aspects of war at sea: but
co. cannot consent to abate any essenti
tho or fundamental right of its people b
old cause of a mere alteration Of circur
zoe stances. The rights Of neutrals
time of war are based upon principl
not upon expediency, and the prime
,or. n1es are immutable. 1t is the du
,ar. and obligation of belligerents to fiji
nd a way to adapt the new circumstanc
and to them.
AMI Reparation for lusitania.
ent "The events of the past two mont
have clearly indicated that it is pr
sible and practicable to conduct su
submarine operations as have chars
mes terized the activity Of the imperi
riot German navy within the social
avy war zone in substantial accord wi
in the accepted practices of regulat
warfare The whole world has loo