McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1915-07-16

to be expected that mighty ship like
the Lusitania would remain above
water long enough even after the tor
pedoing to permit passengers to enter
the ships boats. Circumstances of
very peculiar kind, especially the pres
ence on board of large quantities Of
highly explosive materials (word omit
ted, possible 'dissipated) this expecta-
ton. In addition 1t may be pointed
out that II the Lusitania had been
spared thousands of cases of NUM-
tions would have been sent to Ger
many's enemies and thereby thousands
Of German mothers and children
robbed of bread winners.
"ln the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the Union and its inhabi-
tants since the earliest days of its ex-
istence, the imperial government will
always be ready to do all 1t can during
the present war also to prevent the
jeopardizing of lives Of American citi-
zens. The imperial government, there
fore, repeats the assurances that
American ships will not be hindered in
the prosecution of legitimate shipping
and the lives Of American citizens on
neutral vessels shall not be placed in
jeopardy.
"In order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers, made possible in view of the coli.
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 special
markings and notified a reasonable
time in advance. The imperial gov
eminent, however, confidently hopes
that the American government will as
sumo to guarantee on board, details
of arrangement for the unhampered
passage Of these vessels to be agreed
on by the naval authorities of both
sides.
"In order to furnish adequate facili-
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German govern
ment submits for consideration a pro-
posal to increase the number of availa-
BILE steamers by installing in passenger
service a reasonable number of neutral
steamers under the American flag, the
exact number to be agreed upon under
the same condition as the above men,
toned American steamers.
1.-THE imperial government believes
it can assume that in this manner ad-
equate facilities for travel across the
Atlantic Ocean can be afforded Ameri-
can citizens. There would, therefore,
appear to be no compelling necessity
for American citizens to travel to Eu
rope in time of war on ships carrying
an enemy flag.
"The imperial government is unable
to admit that American citizens can
protect an enemy ship through the
mere fact Of their presence on board.
Germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared part
of the high seas an area Of war. Con-
trails on enemy ships in this area of
war cannot well be judged differently
from accidents to which neutrals are
at all times exposed at the seat of
war on land when they betake them
selves into dangerous localities in spite
of previous warnings.
"If, however, it should not be posi-
BILE for the American government to
require an adequate number Of neutral
passenger steamers, the imperial gov
eminent Is prepared to interpose no
objections to the placing under the
American flag by the American gov
| eminent of four enemy passenger
steamers for passenger traffic between
North America and England. Assn
| rance of free and safe passage for
American passenger steamers would
extend to apply under the identical
pro-conditions to these formerly hos.
tile passenger steamers.
1.-THE president of the United States
has declared his readiness in way de-
serving of thanks to communicate and
suggest proposals to the government
of Great Britain with particular refer
ence 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
that his efforts in the present case, as
well as in the direction of the lofty
ideal Of the freedom Of the sea, will
lead to an understanding.
1.-THE undersigned requests the am.
bassador to bring the above to the
knowledge of the American govern
ment and avails himself of the oppor.
| tunity to renew to his excellency the
assurance of his most distinguished
| consideration.
"(Signed) Won JAGOW."