The Harrison times., 1915-07-31
(TeIegram.)
Department of State,
Washington, July 21, 1915.

You are instructed to deliver text
ually the following note to the min
lister of foreign affairs:
The note Of the imperial govern
ment dated the Sth Of July, 1915, has
received the careful consideration of
the government Of the United States,
and 1t regrets to be obliged to say
that it has found it very unsatisfactory
because 1t fails to meet the real dif.
ferences between the two govern
ments and indicates no way in which
Athe accepted principles Of law and
humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pro
poses, on the contrary, arrangements
for partial suspension Of those prin-
ciples which virtually set them aside.
"The government Of the United
States notes with satisfaction that
the imperial German government rec
ognizes without reservation the va
lidity Of the principles insisted upon
III lllb pONtl al communications W lllRll
this government has addressed to the
imperial German government with
regard to the announcement Of war
zone and the use Of submarines
against merchantmen on the high
seas-the principle that the high
seas are free, that the character and
cargo OF a merchantmen must first
be ascertained before she can lawfully
be seized or destroyed, and that the
lives OF non-combatants may in no
lease be put in jeopardy unless the
sssel resists or seeks to escape after
Vuslng summoned to submit to exam.
nation: for o belligerent act OF re-
taliation is per Sc an act beyond the
law, and the defense Of an act as
retaliatory is an admission that 1t Is
illegal.
Can't Change Neutral Rishts,
"The government Of the United
States Is, however, keenly disappoint'
ed to find that the imperial govern
ment regards itself as In large de-
gree exempt from the obligation to
observe these principles, even where
neutral vssels are concerud, by what
II believes the policy and practice
OF the government Of Great Britain to
be In the present war with regard to
neutral commerce
"The imperial German government
will readily understand that the gov
ernment Of the United States cannot
LNIscuss the policy Of the government
yof Great Britain with regard to neu'
trail trade except with that govern
mont itself, and that It must regard
the conduct Of other bClligorcnt gov
ernmcns as irrelevant to any discus
alon with the imperial German gov
ernment Of what this government re-
cards as grave and uniustiniable ylo'
latIons Of the rights OF American cit
iyens by German naval commanders
Illegal and inhuman acts, however
ustinable they may be- thought to BE-,
against IN enemy VINO Is believed to
have acted IN contrayontion Of law
and humanity, are manIlostly in3e'
feRslble when they deprive ncutrals
of their acknowledged rights, partic'
ularly when they violate the right to
hfe Itself,
"lf a beIllaerent cannot retalIate
AGAINST an enemy without inIurlng
the lives Of neutrals, as we'll as their
Mroperty, humanity, as we'll as Justice
Iahd a due regard for the dignity OF
neutral powers, should dictate that the
practice be discontinued, II persisted
In II would In such circumstances con
stItute an objectionable offense
against the sovereignty Of the neutral
nation affected,
"Tho government OF the United
States IN not unmIndrul Of the extra
ordinary conditions created by this
war or OF the radical alterations II
circumstances and method Of Nttacl,
produced by the use Of instrumental
tiles Of naval warfare which the no
tIons Of the world cannot have had IN
view when the existing rules OF ih'
ternational law was formulated, and
Il is ready to make cyory reasonable
allowance for thcsc noyol ana uncN
peeiod nspccta Of war Ot sea- but II
oannot consent to RbRto any essential
or fundamental right Of its people be-
, cause Of mere alteration OF eircum'
Ntahees, The rights OF noulrala IN
timo Of war are based upon principle
not upon cxpcdloncN ana the prInci
poa are immutOblo II N the duty
and obligation Of belllRoronts 70 ind
n way 10 adapt the new circumstances
10 them
RoparatIoo Tor LustanIa
"Tho events Of the past two months
hive clearly indicated that II N pos
eibla and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations Na have chafae
terlged the activity Of the imperial
Gormnn navy within the Hocollrd
war zone IN substantial accord Win
the accepted praotloea of regulated