The Ocala evening star., 1915-07-10
SUBS WON'T INTERFERE
WITH AMERICAN SHIPS
If Terms Offered United States by Germany
Are Accepted
KAISER WILL NOT GIVE ASSURANCES REQUESTED BY OUR GOVERNMENT BUT W
TO MAKE CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS

Washington, July 10.-Although the
official text of Germany's note hadn't
arrived this morning, the press copy
which officials read is accepted as a
verification that Germany refuses to
give the United States the assurances
requested in the American note of
June 9th.
Everywhere in official quarters the
unsatisfactory character of Germany's
reply is discussed. There is revival
of the talk of severance of diplomatic
relations between the United States
and the German imperial government.
President Wilson, who has been TAX
ing brief rest at Cornish, N. H., will
return to Washington in few days
to consider the grave situation that
confronts the country with his cab
met.
Germany's offer briefly is:
First, reiterated assurance that
American ships engaged in legitimate
trade with foreign countries will not
be interfered with by German sub
marine commanders, nor will the lives
of American citizens on neutral ships
be endangered.
Second, that German submarine
commanders will be instructed to al
low American passenger ships to pass
freely and safely, Germany entertain
ing the hope that the United States
will see that the ships do not carry
contraband of war to belligerent ma
tions; such ships to be distinctly
marked and their arrival to be an
nounced in advance.
The same privilege will be extended
reasonable number of neutral pas
senger ships under the United States
flag. If these are inadequate, Ger
many is willing to permit the United
States to place four hostile passenger
steamers under the American flag, to
ply between North American ports
and Europe under the same conditions.
SPEAKS OF ANCIENT FRIEND
SHIP
The German note recalls the long
friendship between the United States
and Germany, declaring the two have
stood together ever since the negotia-
ton of the treaty of friendship and
commerce of September 9, 1855, s'in
the struggle for the freedom of the
seas and for the protection of peace
able trade" 1t recalls that at the be-
ginning of the present war Germany
declared its willingness to ratify the
declaration of London and thereby
subject itself in the use of its naval
forces in all the restrictions provided
therein in favor of neutrals." Ger
many also has always held to the prin-
ciple that war should be conducted
against the armed forces of the ma
ton and "the imperial government
cherishes the definite hope that some
way will be found when peace is con-
cluded or perhaps earlier, to regulate
guaranteeing the freedom of the seas,
and will welcome it with gratitude
and satisfaction, if it can work hand
in hand with the American govern
ment on that occasion"
The note of February 4, in which it
was stated neutrals might suffer is
recalled and it is declared to be the
sacred duty of the German govern
ment to protect its subjects in every
way. ''If the imperial government
were derelict in these, its duties" the
note says, 'it would be guilty before
God and history of the violation OF
those principles of highest humanity
which are the foundation of every ma
tional existence"
The note also declares that the
commander of the German submarine
that sank the Lusitania would have
invited certain destruction of his YES
sci if he had given the passengers and
crew time to take to the boats. Il
also declares that after experiences
with smaller and less seaworthy yes
sells it was to be expected that a shiE
like the Lusitania would have stay
ed afioat long enough for the boats
to have been lowered. The note ther
continues: circumstances of a very
peculiar kind, especially the presence
on board of large quantities of highly