The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1915-05-19
GlST OF THE U. 5.
NOTE TO GERMANY
American Note Sent to Berlin May
13th-AnsWer Expected in
Few Days More.

The principal points in the
American Note to Germany are as
follows:--
1.-The. United States calls at.
tention to the various incidents in
the war zone proclaimed by Ger
many around the British isles, the
sinking Of the British liner Fala-
ba, with the loss of Leon G Thresh-
er, an American; the attack by
German airmen on the American
steamer Cushing. the torpedoing
without warning of the American
steamer Gultlight, and finally the
torpedoing without warning of the
Lusitania with its loss of more than
thousand lives of non-combatants.
among them more than one hun.
dred Americans.
s2.-These acts are declared to be
indefensible under international
Law. The United States points out
that it never admitted Germany's
right to do them, and warned the
imperial government that it would
be held to strict accountability"
for attacks on American vessels or
lives. A strict accounting, there
fore, is now asked from Germany.
3.-The usual financial repara-
tiop will be sought, although Ger
many is in effect reminded that no
reparation can restore the lives of
those sacrificed IN the sinking of
the Lusitania and other ships.
4.-Expressions of regret may
comply with the legal precedents.
but they are valueIess unless ac-
companied by cessation of the
practices endangering the lives of
nGn-combatants
5.-Th3 right of nehtraIs to
travel any point of the high seas
on neutral or belligerent merchant
men is asserted.
8 10 the name Of humanity and
International law, the United
States demands a guarantee that
these rights will be respected and
that there be no repetition of the
attacks on merchantmen carrying
non-combatants
7.-The giving of warnings to |
the American public without Off
cially communicating them to the
Uhited States government is COM
manted on in connection with the
Grrman embassy's printed adver-
tiaements before the sailing of the
Lnsitania, but irrespective of the |
t,tsure tn advise the American
government Of Germany's purpose,
the point is made that notice of an
intention to do an unlawful act
neither justifies nor Iegalizes it.
8.-'The suggestion is conveyed
that the German government, Of |
course, could not have intended to
destroy innocent lives, and that
consequently the German submarine
commanders must have misunder-
stood their instructions. The
American government indicates its
hope that this will be found to be
true, and cessation of the unlaW-
ful practices will result.
9.-1n conclusion Germany's at
tention is called to the earnestness
of the government and people of
the United States in this situation.
1t is made plain that the United
States will leave nothing undone
either in diplomatic representa-
tions or other actions to obtain
compliance by Germany to the
requests made.
The note throughout is couched
in friendly tones but is unmistaka-
bly, firm. By the suggestion that
German submarine commanders
must have misunderstood their in
structions or that the German gov
ernment could not have intended
to destroy innocent lives, room is
given for disavowaI by Germany
of the practices in the war zone
and an assurance that future at
tacks will be prohibited