Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-07-30

thIs government regards as grave and
un1ustihable violations of the rights of
American citizens by German naval
commanders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however
Unsuitable they may be thought to be
against an enemy who Is believed to
nave acted In contravention of law
and humanity, are manifestly indie
fensiole when they deprive neutrals of
their acknowledged rights, particular.
W when they violate the right to life
itself. 1t a b~elligerent cannot retaiiate
against an enemy without ~injurina the
iiVes OF neutrals, as well as their prop
erty' humanity, as well as justice and
a due regard for the dignity of neutral
powers, should dictate that the prac.
tiee be discontinued. If persisted in IL
would In such circumstances consti-
tute an objectionable offense against
the sovereignty of the neutral nation
affected.
Recognizes Changed Conditions.
1.-The government of the United
States is not unmindful of the ex-
traordinary conditions created by this
wal or of the radical alterations of
circumstances and method of attack
produced by the use of Instrumental
ties of naval warfare which the ma
tons of the world cannot have had in
view when the existing rules of inter-
national law were formulated and it
is ready to make every reasonable al
lowance for these novel and unexpect-
ed aspects of war at sea; but it can
not consent to abate any essential or
fundamental right of its people be-
cause of a mere alteration of circum-
ances. The rights of neutrals in
time of war are based upon principle,
not upon expediency, and the prin-
c1pies are immutable. 1t is the duty
and obligation of belligerents to find
a way to adapt the new circumstances
to them.
The events of the past two months
have clearly indicated that it is pos
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char
acterized the activity of the imperial
German navy within the so-called war
zone in substantial accord with the &C
cepted practices of regulated warfare.
The whole world has looked with in
terest and increasing satisfaction at
the demonstration of that possibility
by German naval commanders. It is
manifestly possible, therefore, to lift
the whole practice of submarine at
tack above the criticism which it has
aroused and remove the chief causes
of ofense.
in view of the admission of illegal
ity made by the imperial German gov
eminent when it pleaded the right of
retaliation in defense of its acts and
In view. of the manifest possibility Of
conforming to the established rules of
naval warfare, the government of the
United States cannot believe that the
imperial government will longer re-
frain from disavowing the wanton act
of Its naval commander in sinking the
Lusitania or from offering r~eparation
for the American lives lost, so far as
reparation car be made for a needless
destruction of human life by an Illegal
act.
Cannot Accept Suggestion.
The government of the, United
States, while not Indifferent to the
friendly spirit in which it is made,
cannot accept the suggestion of the
imperial German government that GER
tain vessels be designated and agreed
upon which shall be free on the seas
now Illegally prescribed. The very
agreement would, by implication, sub.
ject other vessels to Illegal attack and
would be a curtailment and therefore
an abandonment of the principles for
which this government contends and
which in times of calmer counsels
every nation would concede as OF
course.
1.-THE government of the United
States and the imperial German gov
eminent are contending for the same
great object, have long stood together
In urging the very principles upor
which the government of the Unite<
States now SO soiemnIy insists. The,
are both ~contendine for the freedom
of the seas. The government of tn.
: United States will continue to contend
for that freedom, from whatever quar-
ter violated, without compromise ant
at any cost. It invites the practica
cooperation of the imperial German
government at this time when coop
1 Grafton may accomplish most and thi.
great common object be most striking
Iy and effectively achieved.
Object Can Be Accomplished.
7 THE imperial German government
I expresses the hope hat this objec
{ may be in some accomplished
> even before the present war ends. l
can be. The government of the Unitet
States not only feels obliged to insis
upon it, by whomsoever violated O.
/ ignored, in the protection of its owl
n citizens, but is also deeply intereste,
7 in seeing it made practicable between
u the belligerents themselves, and hold
! itself ready at any time to act as tn
q common friend who may be privilege,
Il to suggest a way.
u ain the meantime the very valu,
which his government sets upon tn
long and unbroken friendship between
d the people and government of tn
United States and the people and gov
n eminent of the German nation impel
e it to press very solemnly upon the i'm
O periaI German government the neces
@ sity for a scrupuIous observance o
neutral rights in this critical matter
Friendship itself prompts it to say t
o the imperial German government tina
repetition by the commanders of Gel
man naval vessels of acts in contra
vention of those rights must be re
e earded by the government of tn
e United States, when they affect AmeI
1t lean citizens, as deliberately III
friendly. LANSING"
iowa Fruit Bouillon.
Wash twelve prunes, one-half cur