The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-10
Civilization and Humanity-On
Which Side Is Germany?

DR.. GorTLIIB Won JAGow. the German
Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was re
ported yesterday as saying that on ac-
count Of British control Of the cables
America has been misinforn"l as to
Germany's motives. lie declared him
self greatly concerned about the RICH;
Of free intercourse on the part Of neu-
trails with the ~belligerents on both
sides. We quote this passage from
DR.. Won JAuow's remarks:
s'surely. II is in the interest OF peace
and humanity, which the people OF the
United States and their Government
have so much at heart. that the right
Of free intercourse with the belligerents
Of both sides mould not he tempered
with. because only by free and uncon-
trolled discussion can Observation-Disclosures,
which might develop into hostile fee
inEs. he cleared up Immediately or
avoided
The German Foreign Minister In
uttering these broadly admirable sen.
timents On neutral rights Of free in.
tercourse had In mind the taking
over by our Government Of the Say.
vile wireless station. That proceed
ing. he will be glad to learn, was not
intended to obstruct the free trans
mission of legitimate intelligence be-
tween the United States and ~belliger.
emit Germany, but only to make 1t
certain that the neutral character of
the transmitted intelligence shall be
preserved.
But even If DR.. Won JAGow had
been insisting not merely on the right
Of neutral thoughts to pass unhln.
dered through the neutral empyrean,
but also on the right Of neutral per.
sons to pass unmurdered over the neu-
trail seas, he would have departed in
no respect from the position OF his
own Government as expressed in the
treaty OF 1898 between the United
States and the Kingdom OF Prussia. Il
valid contract and an existing con
vention. In his last preceding note
Herr Won JAGow expressly admitted
that this treaty with Prussia in 1875
Is an obligation binding on the I'm
pertal Government.
On the eve Of the receipt Of Ger,
many's latest contribution to the dis.
cussion of neutral rights THE Sun
again calls the attention OF both
Washington and Berlin to the forgot,
ten circumstance that this treaty
binds Germany to specific action, In
cooperation with the United States
for the Advancement of the cause OF
civilization and humanity in the fol,
lowing manner:
1.-THE pa rites being still DESTROYS, In
conformity with their intention declared
in the twelfth article OF the said treatS
of 1899. to establish between themselves
or In concert with other maritime Pow
ers, further provisions TO insure just pro
tection aud freedom TO neutral napiga
ton aud commerce, and which may a
the same time ddudncs the cause Of ciut
hrdtton aud humanity. engage agair
to treat or this subject at some futur,
and convenient period"
More than "A century ago, therefore
the United States and Prussia bount
themselves TO cooperate for peace ant
humanity and civilization in safe
guarding exactly those neutral right
which the United States is now urg
ing Germany to respect and protect
Abe two engaged Governments ar
again treating on this subject. Tn,
-dture and convenient period la
some. The discussion is approachln,
the concluding stage,
On which side is Germany?