The Prescott daily news., 1915-07-24
Contends for Free
 dom of Seas
(Continued from Page One)


 were formulated, and it is ready to make every reasonable allowance fol those novel and unexpected aspects of war as sea, but it cannot consent to abate any essential and fundamental right of its people because of a mere attenuation of circumstances. The rights of neutrals in time of war are based upon principle, not on eXpedien- cy, and the principles are immutable. It is the duty and obligation of bellig- erents to find way to adopt the new circumstances to them.
 Within Regulations.
 "The events of the past two months have clearly indicated that it is pos sible and practicable to conduct such submarine operations as have charac- terized the activity of the Imperial German navy within the socalled war zone in substantial accord with the ac cepted practice of regulated warfare. The whole world has looked with in- terest and increased satisfaction at the demonstration of the possibility by German naval commanders. It IS manifestly impossible, therefore, to lift the whole practice of submarine attack above the criticism which it has aroused and remove the chief causes of the offense.
 No Longer Refrain.
 ''In view of the admission of illegal ity made by the Imperial government when it pleaded the right of retaliation in defense of it's acts, and in view Of manifest possibility of conforming to the established rules of naval war fare, the government of the United States cannot believe that the Imper- ial government will longer refrain from disavowing the wanton act of its naval commander in sinking the Lusi- tania or from offering reparation for the American lives lost so far as rep aration can be made for needless destruction of human life by an illegal act.
 Not 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 government that certain yes sells be designated and agreed on which shall be free on the seas now illegally prescribed. The very agreement would, by implication, subject other vessels to illegal attack and would be a curtailment and therefore an aband- onment of the principles for which this nation would contend as of course.
 Seeking Same Object.
 "The government of the United States and the Imperial German gov ernments are contending for the same great object, have long stood to gether in urging the very principles which the government of the United States now Solemly insists they are both contending for, the freedom of the seas. The United States will con- tinue to contend for that freedom, from whatever quarter violated, with out compromise and at any cost. It invites the practical cooperation of the Imperial German government at this time when cooperation may ac- complish most and this great common object be most strikingly and effec- lively achieved
 Ready as Mediator.
 "The Imperial German government expressed the hope that the object may be in some measure accomplished even before the present war ends. It can be. The government of the Unit ed States not only feels obliged to insist upon it, by whosoever violated or ignored, in the protection of it's own citizens, but is also deeply interested in seeking it made practicable between the belligerents themselves and holds itself ready at any time to act as the common friend who may be privieg- ed to suggest way.
 Must Observe Rights.
 "In the meantime the very value which this government sets upon the long and unbroken friendship between the people in the government of the United States and the people and gov ernment of the German nation impels it to impress very solemnly upon the German government the necessity for a scrupulous observance of neutral rights in this critical matter. Friend