Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-07-10

BLAMES THE ALLIES
Kaiser Pleads Self-Defense and Justi-
fes Sinking of Lusitania-Argu-
ments Recapitulated.

The German reply to the Amerl-
can note, handed to Ambassador Ge-
rard at Berlin yesterday, is regart-
ed in Washington as disappointing,
but not disquieting.
Berlin assures the United States
of its willingness to work for u more
humane form of warfare when peace
shall have been concluded, but promi-
ses nothing for the present; asserts
that the Lusitania disaster was caus-
ed by Great Britain in encouraging
merchantmen to ram submarines, and
holds enemies responsible for bar
barrie naval policy.
Germany promises to afford all
possible protection to Americans OH
the high seas. The notes reply in this
connection states:
"In the spirit of friendship, where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the Union and it's in
habitants since the earliest days of
it's existence, the imperial government
will always be ready to do all it can
during the present war also to pre-
vent the jeopardizing of lives Of
American citizens.
'The imperial government, there
fore, repeats the assurance that
American ships will not be hindered
in the prosecution of legitimate ship
/. ;niass 2nd the lives of American. citi
zens in neutral vessels shall not be
placed in jeopardy.
SIN order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger steam
ers, made possible in view of the con-
duct of maritime war by Germany's
adversaries, German submarines will
- be instructed to permit the free and
safe passage of such passenger steam
efs when made recognizable by spe-
cial marking and notified reasonable
time in advance. The imperial govern
ment, however, confidently hopes that
the American government will as
sumo to guarantee that these ves-
sells have no contraband on board.
details of arrangements for the un-
hampered passage of. these vessels
tosbe a guarantee by the naval au-
thorities of both sides.
an order to furnish adequate fac
: lties for travel across the Atlantic
for American citizens the :German
government submits for. considera-
ton: proposal:t to inrcease the num-
ber of available steamers hy lnsta'-
ling in: passenger service a reasona-
bic number Of neutral steamers un-
der the American flag, exact num-
ber to be agreed upon under the same
condition as the above-mentioned
American steamers. e
"The imperial government oelleVeS
it can assume that in this manne,
adequate facilities for travel across
the ;Atlantic Ocean can be afforded
American citizens. There would
therefore, appear to be no compel
ling necessity for American citizens
to travel to Europe in. time of war OF
ships carrying an enemy flag.
sIn particular the imperial govern
ment is unable to admit that Ameri
can citizens can protect an enemy
ship through the mere fact OF the'
presence on board.
Germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared
part of the high seas an area OF war
consequently, accidents suffered o.
neutrals or enemy snip in this are r
of war cannot.;wel be Judged differel;
w from accidents to which neutrai
are. at all times exposed at the sea
of war on land when they oetak
themselves into dangerous locslitie
in spite of previous warnings.
eff, however, it should not be pos
sible for the American governmer
to acquire an adequate number
neutral passenger steamers, the in
perial government is prepared to I:
terpose no objections to the placin
under the American flag by the Amer
can government of four enemy pa