New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-14
r. S. Will Maintain Rights at Any Cost,
Wilson Warns Germany in Vigorous Note;
Demands Submarine Raids Be Stopped
Declares Torpedo Attacks on Unarmed
Vessels Disregard Fairness, Reason,
Justice and Humanity.

WARNING OF LAWLESSACTSNOEX EXCUSE
Expects DisavowaI, Full ReparatiOn and lmme-
date Steps to Prevent Any Recurrence
of Outrages
Washington May 13.-The full text of President VIII
sons note to Germany German violation of the rules of
war at sea was made public tonight by the Department of
State as follows:
Department of State Washington, May l3, 1915.
The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador at
Berlin.
Please call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and after
reading him this communication leave with him a copy.
In view of the acts of the German authorities
in violation of American rights the high which cul
minated in the torpedong and sinking of the British steam
ship Lusitania on May T. 1915 by which hundred
American citizens lost their lives is clearly wise and de-
srabe that the Government of the United States and the
Imperial German Government should to clear and
full understanding as to the grave situation which has
suited.
The sinking of the British passenger steamer Falaba
by German submarine March %, through which Leon
C. Thrashe American citizen, drowned the attack
on April % the American vessel Gushing by German
seropane; the torpedong May of the American ves-
sci Gunight by German submarine, result OF which
two American citizens met their death, and finally,
the torpedoing and sinking of the steamship Lusana
sttute series of events which the Government OF the
United States has observed with growing distress
and amazement.
Recalling the humane and enlg ghened attitude hitherto
assumed by the Imperial German Government in matters OF
international right and particularly with regard to the free
dom of the seas having learned to recognize the German
views and the German influence the field of international
obligation always engaged upon the side OF justice and
humanity and having understood the instructions OF the
Imperial German Government its naval commanders to
be upon the plane of humane action prescribed by
the naval codes of other nations the Government of the
United States was loath to beeve-it cannot bring
itself to beieve-hat these acts absolutely contrary to
the rules the practices and the spirit of modern warfare,
could have the sanction of that great Gov
Ii feels to be its duty therefore, to address the
Imperial German Government concerning them with ut.
most frankness and in the earnest hope that may not be
mistaken in expecting action the part of the Imperial
German Government which will correct the unfortunate
impressions which have been created and vndcate
more the position of that Government with regard to the
sacred freedom of the
The Government of the United States has been ap-
prised that the Imperial German Government considered
themselves be obliged by the extraordinary circumstances
of the and the adopted by their ad
versaries in seeking cut Germany off from all commerce
TO adopt methods of retaliation which go much beyond the
ordinary methods of warfare at in the proclamation OF
war zone from which they have warned neutral ships to
keep away This Government has already taken occasion
10 inform the Imperial German Government that it cannot
admit the adoption of such such warning of
danger to operate as any degree abbrevaon of the
rights of American shpmasters American citizens bound
on lawful eands passengers merchant ships of bel
igerent nations; and that hold the Imperial Ger
man Government strict accountability for any infringe
ment of those rights intentional accidental 1t does not
understand the Imperial German Government to question
those rights the contrary that the Imperial
German Government accept of course the rule that the
lives of noncombatants whether they be of neutral citizen
ship citizens of ofAhe nations at cannoawfuy