Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-07-30


Germany.
grave matter in controversy, but pro-
poses, on the contrary, arrangements
for partial suspension of those prin-
ciples, which virtually set them aside,
High Seas Are Free.
The government of the United
States notes with satisfaction that the
imperial German government recogniz-
es without reservation the validity of
the principles insisted upon in the sew
eral communications which this gov.
eminent has addressed the imperial
German government with regard to it's
announcement of O. war zone and the
use Of submarines against merchant
men on the high seas-the principle
that the high seas are free, that the
character and cargo of a merchant
man must first be ascertained before
she can lawfully be seized or Destroy
ed, and that the lives of non.combat-
ants may in no case be put in jeopar-
dy unless the vessel resists or seeks
to escape after being summoned to
submit to examination; for a belliger-
ent act of retaliation is per Sc an act
beyond the law, and the defense of an
act as retaliatory is an admission that
1t is illegal.
United States keenIy Disappointed.
The government of the United States
is, however, keenly disappointed to
find that the imperial German govern
ment regards itself as in large degree
exempt from the obligation to observe
these principles, even where neutral
vessels are concerned, by what it be.
Heves the policy and practice of the
government of Great Britain to be in
the present war with regard to neutral
commerce. The imperial German gov
eminent will readily understand that
the government of the United States
cannot discuss the policy of the gov
eminent Of Great Britain with regard
to neutral trade except with the gov
eminent itself, and that 1t must regard
the conduct of other belligerent gov.
ernments 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
citizens by German naval commanders.
Inhuman Acts lndefensible.
Illegal and inhuman acts, however
justifable they may be thought to be
against an enemy who is believed to
have acted in contravention of law
and humanity, are manifestly indie
feasible when they deprive neutrals
of their acknowledged rights, particu-
larly when they violate the right to
life itself. If belligerent cannot re-
taliate against an enemy without in
juring the lives of neutrals, as we'll as
their property, humanity, as we'll as
justice and due regard for the dignity
Of neutral powers, should dictate that
the practice be discontinued. If per-
sisted in it would i'm such circum-
stances constitute an objectionable Of
tense against the sovereignty of the
neutral nation affected.
Unusual Aspects Of War No Excuse.
The government of the United
States is not unmindful of the extra
ordinary conditions created by this
war or of the radical alterations of
circumstance and method of attack
produced by the use of instrumental
ties of naval warfare which the ma.
tions of the world cannot have had in
view when the existing rules of in
ternational law were formulated, and
1t is ready to make every reasonable
allowance for these novel and unex-
pected aspects of war at sea; but it
cannot consent to abate any essential
fundamental right of its PEOPLE because
Of mere alteration Of circumstance
The rights of neutrals in time of war
are based upon principle, not upon
expediency, and the principles are i'm.
mutable. It is the duty and obligation
OF belligerents to find a way to adapt
the new circumstances to them.
Causes Of offense Can Be Removed,
The events of the past two months
have clearly indicated that it is DOS.
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char.
acterized the activity of the imperial
German navy within the so-called
war zone in substantial accord with