The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-10
Germans to Keep Up Plunger War.
Sacred Rights Of Neutrals Denied.
Text Bern Reply for Which the United States Stand

existence.
Lusitania Horror Natural Product.
''The case of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what 1eo-
pardizing of human lives the manner
of conducting war employed by our
adversaries leads In the most direct
contradiction of international law, all
distinctions between merchantmen
and war vessels have been oblIterated
by the order to British merchantmen
to arm themselves and to ram sub
marines and the promise of rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chantmen as travellers are thereby eX-
posed in an increasing degree to all
the dangers of war.
IF the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tania had caused the crew and pas
sengers to take to the boats before fir
ing a torpedo, this would have meant
the sure destruction of his own vessel.
After the experiences in sinking much
smaller and less seaworthy vessel.
it was to be expected that mighty
ship like the Lusitania would remain
above water even after the torpedoing
long enough to permit passengers to
enter the ships boats. Circumstances
of a very peculiar kind. especially the
presence on board of large quantities
of highly explosive materials defeated
this expectation. In addition, 1t may
be pointed out that if the Lusitania
had been spared thousands of cases
of munitions would have been sent to
Germany's enemies and thereby thou
sands of German mothers and chill
dren robbed of bread winners.
Must Not Garry Contraband.
I'm the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the union and its inhab-
itantS since the earliest days of its
existence, the imperial government
always will be ready to do all it can
during the present war also to pre-
vent the jeopardizing of lives of
American citizens. The imperial gov
eminent, therefore, repeats the assur-
ances that American ships will not be
hindered in the prosecution of legitt-
mate shipping and the lives of AmerI-
can citizens in neutral vessels shall not
be placed in jeopardy.
I'm order to exclude any unfore-
seen dangers to American passenger
steamers, made possible in view of the
conduct of the maritime war by Ger
many'ss adversaries, German subma-
rineS will be instructed to permit the
free and safe passage of such passen-
ger steamers when made recognizable
by special markings and notified
reasonable time in advance. The i'm
peria1 government, however, conf
IDENTIFY hopes that the American gov
eminent will assume to guarantee that
these vessels have no contraband on
board, details of arrangements for the
unhampered passage Of these vessels
thorities of both sides.
Neutrals Under q. S. Flag.
''In order to furnish adequate ia
cilities for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens, the German
government submits for consideration
a proposal to increase the number of
available steamers by installing IN
passenger service reasonable nun-
Der of neutral steamers UNDER the
American flag, the exact number to
con-
dition as the above mentioned steam
erS.
The imperial government believes 1t
can assume that in this manner ade-
ouate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic ocean can be afforded Amer
lean citizens. There would, there
FORE appear to be no compelling ne
cessity for American citizens to traV-
ell to Europe in time of war on SHIPS
carving an enemy flag. In part1cu-
lar, the imperial government is I'M
able to admit that American citizens
can protect an enemy snip throush
the mere fact of their presence on
board.
EngIand's Example Followed.
germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared
part of the high sea an area OF war.
CONSEQUENTLY accidents suffered by
neutrals on enemy ships in this area
of water cannot well be judged dill
ferently from accidents to which neu-
trails are at all times exposed at the
seat of war on land when they be-
take themselves into dangerous local.
tiles in spite of previous warnings Ii,
however, it should not be possible for
the American government to acquire
an adequate number of neutral pas
senger steamers, the imperial govern
ment is prepared to interpose no OBJ
jections to the placing under the
American flag by the American gov
eminent of four enemy passenger
stea mers for passenger traffic between
North America and England. Assur-
ances of free and safe passage for
American passenger steamers would
extend to apply under the Identical
pro-conditions to these formerly nos
tile passenger steamers.
Wilson Worthy of Praise.
The president of the United States
has declared his readiness in a way
deserving o 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
always be glad to make use OF the
good offices of the president and hopes
hiatt his efforts in the present case, as
well 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
knowledge of the American govern
tunity to renew His Excellency the as
surance of his most distinguished con-
sideration.
(signed.) WON JAGOw."