The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-14
WHAT WILL ANSWER
OF KAISER BE?
CONTINUED from Page one.l

| .lCont1nued from Page One.l
American citizens are to go where
they are to have their home govern
mentS protection. So far as Ger
many is concerned, however, the Unit
| ed States has gone much further.
Right at the notes outset the Falaba,
Gushing, Gulflight and Lusitania in
cidents are cited as constituting a Sc
ries of events which this government
has observed with growing concern,
distress and amazement."
Sanction Beyond Belief.
These acts are characterized as so
absolutely contrary to the rules, the
practices and the spirit of modern
not bring itself to believe that they
could have the sanction of the i'm
perial German government
This is Americas position today
1t believes German submarines ran
amuck through the misdirected zeal
of the Berlin admiralty and squad
ron commanders. 1t holds the olive
branchout to Germany in asking her
to disavow these acts.
All Eyes on Berlin.
The government and people of the
United States today turned expectant-
ly toward Berlin.
No time is specified for a reply to
President Wilson's note, but the COM
munication says, 1.-The government and
people of the United States look to the
imperial German government for Just,
prompt, enlight ened action in this
vital matter.
To Safeguard Rights.
The course to be pursued by the
United States in the event of a nom
compliance with its requests and ex-
pectations, is not stated, but high Of
ficials pointed out that the conclusion
of the note was intended to impress
upon Germany that there should be
no misrepresentation IN Berlin of the
firm purpose of the United States to
safeguard it's rights by any means
necessary.
This is expressed in the final sem
tence. which says:
The imperial German govern
ment will not expect the govern
ment of the United States to omit
any word or any act necessary to
the performance of safeguarding
their free exercise and enjoyment.
1t was just a week ago today that
the LuSitania was struck by German
torpedo and sunk with the loss of
many neutral lives besides the scores
of Americans. The United States gov
eminent is the first to act, the other
neutral nations, most of whom have
United States to be revealed, are now
expected to decide what representa-
lions they will make.
Stands Against Submarine.
AS the note was read today by diplo-
matists and officials generally, one
was the stand taken by the United
States against the use of the sub
marine as a commerce destroyer, the
attention of the German government
being called to, the practical impOS-
sibility'' of employing these undersea
craft to destroy merchantmen with |
out disregarding those rules of fair
ness, reason, justice and humanity
which all modern opinion regards as
imperative"
This was taken by naval officers
versed in international law and diplo- |
matistS to mean that not only during |
the present war, but in future inter
national conferences to amend the !
rules of maritime warfare the Ameri- |
can government would be found |
aligned against the use of the sub
marine against merchantmen.
Another feature of the note which |
caused much comment among diplo-
matists was the statement replying to |
the German circular to neutrals which |
arrived here on Tuesday and agrees
to express regret and give reparation
for any mistaken attacks on neutral
vessels by submarines. @
Regret Not Enough.
The communication points out that
while expression of regret and offers
of reparation in case of destruction of
neutral ships sunk by mistake ma y |
satisfy international obligations, if |
no loss of life results" they cannot
justify or excuse a practice the natural
and necessary effect of which is to
subject neutral nations and neutral
persons to new and immeasurable
risks
In another portion emphasis is laid
on the inability of submarines to eX-
ercise the rightof visit ind search at
seas, because of practical difficulties
making it impossible for them to
make prizes of merchantmen. A prize
crew could not be put aboard, for if
taken as prize the ship could not be
sunk without leaving the neutral YES
sells crew to the mercy of the sea in
her small boats"
1t was this feature-the application
of the rules of naval prize law to the
cases of neutral vessels carrying con-
which attracted attention when the
German circular note to neutrals was
first examined. The argument made
in the American note of today is de-
signed to point out the inadm ;ssibility
of what has been regarded in some
quarters as concessions by Germany N
the treatment of neutral merchant
men. i
Rights Guaranteed by Treaty.
The citation in the note of 1.-The ex-
plicit stipulations of the treaty of 1928
between the United States and Prus-
STA" was regarded as important from
treaty American ships are given the
right to unrestricted freedom of the
seas in times of war, and even if car
rying contraband, including munitions
of war, the ships or cargoes cannot be
confiscated but may be detained and
the cargo 'requisitioned,' in which
event ''all contra band or noncontra-
band taken must be paid for irrespec-
tive of its destination"
President Wilson's Note.
The presidents note follows:
Department of State, Washington,
May 18th, 1915
The Secretary of State to the Amer
can ambassador at Berlin:
Please call on the minister of for
e1gn affairs and, after reading to him
his communication, leave with him
COPY.