The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-07-31

to Germany regarding submarine war
fare, which was delivered to the for
eign office at Berlin by Ambassador
Gerard:
telegram
Department of State,
Washington, July 81, 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, ha;
received the careful consideration OF
the government of the United States
and 1t regrets to be obliged to say
that 1t has found it very unsatisfactory
because 1t fails to meet the real diff
ferences between the two govern
ments and indicates no way in which
the accepted principles OF law and
humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pre-
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
in the several communications which
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
case be put in jeopardy unless the
vessel resists or seeks to escape after
being summoned to submit to exam
nation; for a 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 it is
illegal.
Can't Change Neutral Rights.
"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
c>,x~oI vooals oro oo0nar,d hv u,ho =
IT 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
eminent of the United States cannot
discuss the policy OF the government
Of Great Britain with regard to neu-
trail trade except with that govern
ment itself, and that 1t must regard
the conduct of other belligerent gov
ernmens as irrelevant to any discus
sion with the imperial German gov
eminent of what this government re-
CARDS as grave and unjustifiable vio-
lations Of the rights Of American cit
izens by German naval commanders.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however
justifiable they may be- thought to be.
against an enemy VINO is believed to
have acted in contravention of law
and humanity, are manifestly indie |
feasible when they deprive neutrals
Of their acknowledged rights, partic-
ularly when they violate the right to
life itself.
~ q beIligerent cannot retaIiate
against an enemy without injurina
the lives Of neutraIs, az we'll 40 their
property, humanity, az well az justice
and due regard for the dignity Of
neutral powers, should dictate that the
practice be discontinued. " 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 is not unmindful of the extra
ordinary conditions created by this
war or OF the radical alterations Of
and method of attack
produced by the use OF Instrumental.
ties OF naval warfare which the ma,
tons Of the world cannot have had in
view when the existing rules of in.
law was formulated, and
4 is ready TO make every reasonable
Allowance for these novel and unex.
pected aspects Of war at sea; but II
cannot consent to abate any essential
or fundamental right of its people be.
sause OF mere alteration of circum.
stances. The rights Of neutrals in
line Of war are based upon principle
rot upon expediency. and the princt.
,les are immutable. II is the dutv
Ind obligation Of belligerents To f,nd
way to adapt the new circumstances
% them.
Reparation for Lusitania.
The events OF the past two months
ave clearly indicated that it is DOS.
ible and practicable to conduct such
ubmarine operations as have charac-
erized the activity Of the imperial
herman navy within the so-called
var zone in substantial accord with j
ne accepted practices OF regulated ,
~->--->->------>--
Valuable Discovery. Y
Another German scientists has dore 1
ne world a good turn IJo he a.