The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-07-28

Washington, July 23.-Following is
the official text of the latest Ameri-
can note to Germany regarding sub
marine warfare, which was delivered
to the foreign office at Berlin today
by Ambassador Gerard:
The Secretary of State to Ambassa-
dor Gerard:
(Telegram)
Department of State,
Washington, July 21, 1915.
You are instructed to deliver text
ually the following note to the minis
ter for foreign affairs:
The note of the imperial German
government dated the Sth of July,
1915, has received the careful con-
sideration Of the government Of the
United States and it regrets to be
obliged to say that 1t has found it
very unsatisfactory, because it fails
to meet the real differences be-
tween the two governments and indi-
Gates no way in which the accepted
principles of law and humanity may
be applied in the grave matter in con-
troversy but proposes, on the con-
trary, 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 recog-
nizes without reservation the validity
Of the principles. which this govern
ment had addressed to the imperial
German government with regard to It's
Of a war zone and the
use OF submarines against merchant
men on the high seas--the principle
that the high seas are free, that the
character and cargo Of a merchant
man must first be ascertained before
she can lawfully be seized or de-
stroyed, and that the lives Of non
combatants may in no case be put
in jeopardy unless the vessel resistS
or seeks to escape after being sum-
moned to submit to examination; for
a belligerent act Of retaliation is per
Sc an act beyond the law, and the
defense of an act as retaliatory is an
admission that 1t is illegal.
The government of the United
States, is however, keenly disappointed
to find that the imperial German gov
ernment regards itself as in large de-
gree exempt from the obligation to
observe these principles, even where
neutral vessels are concerned, by what
1t believes the policy and practice of
the government Of Great Britain to be
In the present war with regard to
neutral commerce. The imperial Ger
man government will readily under
stand chat the government Of the
United States can not discuss the pol
icy OF the government of Great Brit
ain with regard to neutral trade ex-
cept with the government itself. and
that 1t must regard the conduct Of
other belligerent governments as ir-
relevant to any discussion with the
imperial German government of what
this government regards as grave and
unJustifiable violations Of the rights of
American citizens by German naval
commanders. Illegal and inhuman
acts, however justifiable they may be
thought to be against an enemy who
Is believed to have acted in contra
vention Of law and humanity, are
manifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals Of their acknowledged
rights. particularly when they violate
the right to life itself. If belligerent
can not retaliate against an enemy
without injuring the lives of neutrals,
as we'll as their property, humanity
and justice and a due regard for the
dignity Of neutral powers should die
tate that the practice be discontinued.
If persisted in it would in such cir-
cumstances constitute an unpardon-
able offense against the sovereignty of
the neutral nation affected. The goy-
ernment Of the United States is not
unmindful Of the extraordinary con-
ditions created by this war or of the
radical alterations of circumstances
and method of attack produced by the
use Of Observation-Disclosures Of naval war;
fare which the nations Of the world
can not have had in view when the
existing rules OF international law
were formulated, and Is ready to make
every raooon,kIo .,,o,,..oo g. IL.