Evening star., 1915-06-11
y. S. Rejoh1der Firmly, Forcibly Rene1Us Demand
That Germany Agree to Obey Sea Law of Nations

obey Sea LdW of Nations
of humanity which throw the background any special
circumstances OF detail that be thought affect the
cases. principles which lift it, as the imperial German
government will doubt be quick to recognize and
acknowledge OF the class of ordinary subjects OF
diplomatic discussion of international controversy
Whatever be the other facts regarding the Lustana the
principal tact that primarily and chiefly
conveyance tor PASSENGERS and carrying more than
thousand souls who had part lot the conduct OF the
war; was torpedoed and sunk without much chal-
lenge or warning, and that and children
sent to their death unparalleled
modern warfare The fact that than 100 American
citizens among those who pershed made the duty
OF the government OF the United States speak OF these
things and with solemn emphasis, call the
attention OF the German to the
responsibility which the OF the United States
has incurred this tragic occurrence and
the 1ndsputable principle upon which that responsibility
rests 1he government of the United States contendng
for something much greater than rights Of property
privileges OF 1t is contendng for nothing less
high and sacred than the rights of humanity which every
government honors itself respecting and which gov
justified In resgnng behalf of those under
its and authority Only her actual resistance capture
could have afforded the commander Of the submarine
Justlhcaon for much putting the lives of those
board the ship jeopardy This principle the govern
Of the United States understands the explicit nstrc
tons issued August g. 1914 by the imperial German
admiralty to Its commanders have recognized and
embodied do the naval codes of all other nations and
upon every traveller and had right depend
It this principle of humanity well upon the law
founded this principle that the United States
stand
The government Of the United States is happy to
observe that your exceencys closes with the ntima-
ton that the imperial German government wiling now
as before accept the good Offices of the United States
attempt to understanding with the govern
ent Of Great Britain by which the character and cond
OF the United States would consider privilege
thus friends and the world It stands ready at
any time to either government
suggestion the other may be willing have convey and
cordially invites the imperial German government make
OF its services this way The
whole world concerned anything that may bring about
partial accommodation Of interests way mitigate
the terrors OF the present distressing conflict.
In the meantime. whatever arrangement may happily
be made between the parties the war; and whatever NAV
the opinion Of the imperial German government have
been the provocaton the justification for
the acts Of it's commanders the government Of
the United States confidently looks the justice and
humanity OF the government Of Germany INDICATED all
cases where Americans have been wronged their
neutras invaded.
The government of the United States therefore verv
earnestly and very semny the Of
it's note transmitted the imperial German government
on the 18th OF May and relies in these representations
upon the of humanity the universally recoenzed
understandings OF international law and the ancient friend
ship OF the German nation
The government of the United States cannot admit that
the proclamation OF from which neutral ships
have been warned to keep be made to operate
in any degree abbrevation Of the rights either of
American pmasters OF American citizens bound on
lawful errands passengers merchant ships of bels
erent nationality 1t does understand the imperial
German government question those rights 1t under
stands ALSO accept established beyond question the
principle that the lives of non-combatants cannot lawfully
rshuy be put jeopardy by the capture or destruc
ton OF an unreslstng merchantmen, and recognize the
obligation take sufficient precaution ascertain whether
suspected merchantmen fact of belserent national
ty fact carrying contraband of under neutral
Hag The government of the United States therefore
deems reasonable expect that the imperial German
will adopt the necessary put these
principles into practice respect Of the safeguarding of
American lives and American ships and asks for assur-
ances that this will be done. ROBERT LANSING
Secretary of State ad Interim