The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1915-07-29
Complete Test of Mole

The note Of the imperial German ,
government, dated July 8, 1916, has
received the Careful consideration of
the government Of the United States,
and it regrets to be obliged to say it
has found it very unsatisfactory, be-
cause it fails to meet the real differ
enees between the two governments,
sad indicates No way in which the &C
eepted principles of law and humanity
may be applied to the grave matter in
controversy, but proposes, on the con-
trary, arrangements for partial sus
pension of these principles which vir-
tuaAy set them aside.
Pleased With Admissions Made.
The government of the United
States notes with satisfaction that the
German government recognizes with
out reservation the validity of the
principles insisted upon in the several
communications which this govern
ment had addressed to the imperial
German government with regard to its
announcement of war zone and the
use of submarines against, merchant
men on the high seas that the prin-
ciple that the high seas are free and
that the character of the cargo Of a
merchantmen must first be ascertain
ed before she can lawfully be seized
or destroyed. The lives of noncom-
'batants may in no case be put in
jeopardy unless the vessel resists or
seeks to escape after being summoned
to submit to examination; for bel
ilgerent act of retaliation is per Sc an
act beyond the law, and the defense
of an act as retaliatory is an admis-
sion that it is illegal.
The government of the United
Estates, however, is keenly disappoint-
ed to find that the German govern
ment regards itself as in a large de-
gree exempt from the obligation to OBJ
serve these principles, even where
neutral vessels are concerned by what
it believes the policy and practice OF
the Government of Great Britain to be
in the present. war in regard to neu-
tral commerce.
Not Dependent on Other Nations Acts
The German government must read.
lily understand that the government o1
the United States cannot discuss the
policy of the government of Great
Britain in regard to neutral trade ex.
cept with that government itself. L
must regard the conduct Of othe1
belligerent governments as irrelevant
to any discussion with the German
government of what this government
regards as grave and unjustifable
violations of the rights Of American
citizens by German naval command
ers. Illegal, inhuman acts, however
justifiable they may be thought to b
against an enemy who it is believed
has acted in contravention of law ant
humanity, are manifestly indefensibl'
when they deprive neutrals of theil
acknowledged rights, particular!
when they violate the right of life it
self. If belligerent canno
retaliate against it's enemy withou
injuring the lives of neutrals, as wei
as their property, humanity as well al
justice and due regard for the dignit,
Of neutral powers, should dictate tina
the practice be discontinued.
An Unpardonable Offense
If persisted in in such circumstan
ces they constitute an unpardonabl'
offense against the sovereignty of tht
neutral nation affected. While tht
government of the United States il
not unmindful of the extraordinary
conditions created by this war, or o:
the radical alteration Of circumstance
in the method Of attack produced b!
the use Of instrumentalities of nava
warfare, which the nations Of tn
world cannot have had in view whe1