The Carlisle independent., 1915-07-15


 ''In the spirit of friendship where with the German nation has been im~ bued towards the Union and it's in- habitants since the earliest days of it's existence, the imperial government al ways will be ready to do all it can during the present war also to prevent the jeopardizing of lives of American citizens. The imperial government therefore, repeats the assurance that American ships will not be hindered in the prosecution of American ship ping. and the lives of American citi- zens on neutral vessels shall not be placed in jeopardy.
 'In order to exclude any unforeseen dangers to American passenger stea,s- CTS made possible in view of the con duet of maritime war by Germanys adversaries, German submarines will be instructed to permit the free and safe passage of such passenger steam CTS when made recognizable by spe- eial markings and notified a reason able time in advance. The imperial government, however, confidently hopes that the American government will assume to guarantee that these vessels have no eontraband on board, details of arrangement for the un- hampered passage of these vessels to be agreed upon by the naval author ities of both sides.
 For Neutral Passenger Service.
 In order to furnish adequate facili- ties for travel across the Atlantic for American citizens, the German gov ernment submits for consideration the proposal to increase the number of available steamers by installing in l passenger service a reasonable nun Der of neutral steamers under the American flag, the exact number to be agreed upon under the same condition as the above mentioned American steamers.
 The imperial government believes it can assume that in this manner ad- equate facilities for travel across the Atlantic ocean can be afforded Ameri- can citizens. There would. therefore. appear to be no compelling necessity of American citizens to travel to Flu rope in time of war on ships carrying an enemy flag. In particular the im- perial government is unable to admit that American citizens can protect an enemy ship through the mere fact Of their presence on board.
 American Flags on Enemy Ships.
 Germany merely followed Eng lands example when she declared part of the sea an area of var. Conse- quently. accidents suffered by neutrals on enemy ships in the area of war cannot well be judged differently from accidents to which neutrals are at all times exposed at the seat of war on land when they betake themselves into dangerous localities in spite of I previous warnings. If, however, 1t should not be possible for the Ameri- can government to acquire an ade- quate number of neutral passenger steamers, the imperial government is prepared to interpose no objections to the placing under the American flag by the American government of four enemy passenger steamers for pas senger traffic between North America and England Assurances of free and safe passage for American passenger steamers would extend to apply under the identical conditions to these for merly hostile passenger steamers.
 Hopes for Understanding.
 "The president of the United States has declared his readiness in a way deserving of thanks to communicate and suggest proposals to the govern ment of Great Britain with particular reference to the alteration of maritime war. The imperial government will l always be glad to make Use of the good offices of the president, and hopes that his efforts in the present case, as we'll as in the direction of the lofty ideal of the freedom of the seas, will lead to an understanding
 The undersigned requests the am- bassador to bring the above to the l knowledge of the American govern ment, and avails himself of the oppor- tunity to renew to his excelleney the assurance of his most distinguished consideration.
 (Signed) Won Jagow."