Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-14

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cchhdence that their lives will not DO
\ endangered by acts done In clear VIC
Aiation OF universally acknowledged IN
International obligations. and certainly
In the confidence that their own govern
mont will sustain them in the exercise
Scf their rights.
sl3tThere was recently published IN tho
( newspapers of the United States, re-
greet to inform the imperial German
: government formal warning. purport-
Ing to como from tho imperial German
embassy at Washington. addressed to
the people OF the United states ana
Estating, in effect, that any citizen OF the
United states who exercised his right
fof free travel upon the seas would do
so at his peril If his Journey should
take him within the zone OF waters
within which the imperial German navy
was using submarines agains, the COM
merce of Great Britain and France, not
withstandins the respectful but very
earnest protest OF his government, the
government of the United states. l DO
not refer 10 this for tho purpose or
calling the attention OF the imperial
German government ut this time to The
surprising irresuarity OF communi-
cation from the imperial German en-
bassy at Washington addressed 10 the
people OF the United States through
the newspapers. but only for the pur-
pose Of pointing ont that no warning
that an unlawful and inhumane act will
be committed can possibly he accepted
as an excuse OF palliation for that act
or as an abatement of the rcsponsi-
billy for its commission
EXPECTS DISANOWAL Of ACTS
ny GERMAN G0vERNMENT
Long acquainted as this government
has been with the character OF the
imperial German government and with
the high principles OF equity by which
they have in the past been actuated
and guided. the government of the
United States cannot believe that the
commanders Of the vessels which COM
mitted these acts of lawlessness did so
except under a misrepresentation of the
orders issued by the imperial German
naval authorities. II takes IL Tor
granted that, ut least within the prac-
tical possibilities Of every such case.
the commanders oven of submarines
were expected 10 do nothing that would |
involve the lives Of noncombatants or
the safety of neutral ships even at the
cost of failing of their object OF cap
poets, therefore, that the imperial Ger
man government will disavow the acts
of which the government of the United !
States complains; that they will make !
reparation SO far as PREPARATION is pos !
sible for injuries which are without /,
measure, and that they will take i'm |
mediate steps to prevent the recur- |
renee Of anything so obviously sub /
versive of the principles of warfare for 1
which the imperial German government
have in the past so wisely and So firmly |
commended.
The government and people Of the |
United States look to the imperial ,
German government for just. prompt |
and enlightened action in this vital !
matter with the greater confidence, be !!
cause the United States and Germany /
are bound together not only by special /
ties of friendship. but also by the eX- |
plicit stipulations OF the treaty of |
1925 between the United states and the |
Kingdom OF Prussia.
Expressions of regret and offers OF
roparation in case Of the destruction |
Of neutral ships sunk by mistake, while /
they may satisfy international obliEa-
tons If no loss OF life results. cannot
Justify or excuse practice the natural
and ccessary effect of which is to
subject neutral nations and neutral
persons TO new and immca surable
risks.
The imperial German government
will not expect the government OF the
United States to omit any word any
act necessary to the performance OF its
sacred duty OF maintaining the rights
of the United states and its citizens,
anu III safeguarding their free exercise
and enjoyment. BRYAN"