South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-10

neutral property. Just as it was also
with the Beers. the German people
is now to be given the choice Of per
ishing from starvation with its women
and children or rclinquishing its in
dependence.
A War i'm Self-Dcfcnse.
While our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction, we were
conducting a war in self defense for
our national existence and for the
sake of peace of an assured per
manenoy. We have been obliged TO
adopt a submarine warfare TO meet
the declared intentions of our enc
mics and the method Of warfare
adopted bv them I'm contravention of
International law.
With all its efforts in principle to
protect neutral life and property from
damage as much as possible, the Ger
man government recognized unre-
servedly in its memorandum Of Feb. 4
that the interests of neutrals might
suffer from the submarine warfare.
However, the American government
will also understand and appreciate
that in the fight for existence which
has been forced upon Germany by its
adversaries and announced by them.
1T is the sacred duty of the imperial
government TO do all within its power
to protect and save the lives of Ger
man subjects. If the imperial gov
eminent were derelct in these, its
duties, ii would be guilty before God
and history of the violation Of those
principles OF highest humanity which
are the foundation of every national
existence
The case of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what ieop-
ardlzing Of human lives the manner Of
conducting war employed by our ad-
versaries leads. In the most direct
contradiction Of international law all
distinctions between merchantmen
ana war vessels have been obliterated
by the order to British merchantmen
10 arm themselves and to ram subma-
rlnes and the promise OF rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chantmen as travellers thereby have
been exposed in an increasing degree
to all the dangers of war.
Defends Lusitania Sinking.
II the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tanla had caused the crew and pas
sengers To take to the boats before
firing a torpedo this would have
meant the sure destruction of his own
vessel. After the experience in sink
ing much smaller and less seaworthy
vessels it was 10 be expected that
mighty ship like the Lusitania would
remain above water long enough even
after the tOrpedOing to permit pas
| sengers to enter the ships boats
Circumstances af a very peculiar
kind, especially the presence on board
Of large quantities of highly explosive
material (word omitted, possibly dis
! sipated'O, this expectation.
In addition it may be pointed ont
. Z . Inns
thousands Of cases Of munitions would
have been sent 10 Germany's enemies
and thereby thousands OF German
mothers and children robbed Of bread
winners.
In the spirit OF friendship where
with the German nation has been I'M
/ bued toward the union and its inhabf-
tants since the earliest DAYS of its ex-
lstence' the imperial government viii
always be ready to do all il can. dur
ing the present war also. 10 prevent
the JeOpardlzing Of lives OF American
/ citizens.
The imperial government, therefore
repeats the assurances that American
| shipping VIII not b. hindcred in the
/ prosecution OF legitimate shipping and
I the lives OF American citizens i'm ncu-
/ trial vessels shall not be placed i'm
jeopardy
In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers 10 American passenger steam
/ ers. made possible IN view Of the con-
( duct of maritime war by Germany's
| adversaries. German submarines Will
/ be instructed TO permit the free and
/ safe passage OF such passenger steam
ers. when made recognizable by spe-
| cial markings and notified a reasona-
| bic time in advance.
| Asks For Guarantee.
/ The imperial government, however
| confidently hopes that the American
/ government viii assume to guarantee
/ that these vessels have no contraband
/ on board. Details Of arrangements
4 for the unhampered passage Of these
vessels TO be agreed upon by the naval
J authorities OF both sides.
In order TO furnish adequate facil-
tiles for travel across the Atlantic