The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-05-14
Text Of American Note to
Imperial German Government

violation o. universally acknowledged
International obligation. certainly In
the confidence hat their " govern
ment viii sustain them IN the exer.
cise OF their rights.
There was recently published in
the newspapers OF the United States,
i regret TO inform the Imperial GER
NJ government. n formal warning,
purportinR TO come from the imper-
ial embaary az Washington, addressed
TO the people OF the United states
and stating In effect that any citizen
Of the United States who exercises
his right OF free travel upon the Eeas
would do so az his peril II his jour-
ney should take him within the tone
OF waters within which Inc Imperial
German navy waa using submarines
against the commerce OF Great Brit
ain and France. notwithstanding the
respectful but very earnest protest
Of his government. the government of
the United States. I do not refer to
this for the purpose Of calling the at
tention Of the imperial German gov
eminent az this time q the surprls-
Ing irreaularlty OF a communication
from the imperial German embassy
az Washington advising the people OF
the United States through the news
papers. but merely for the purpose 81
pointing out that no warning that
an unlawful and inhnmane act would
be committed can possibly be accept
~ an cxcuse or pnlliatlon for that
act or an abatement OF the RESPONSE
billty for Its commission.
Long acquainted az this govern
ment 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 committed these acts OF law
l~essness did NO except under a mis-
apprehension Of the orders issued by
the German naval authorities. II
takeH il for granted that. al least
within the practical possibilities OF
every such case the commanders even
OF submarines were expected TO DO
nothing that involve the lives of non
ccmbatants or the safety OF neutral
ships. even nc the cost Of failing of
their object OF capture or destruction,
IL confidently expects. therefore. that
the imperial German government will
disavow the acts OF which the gov
ernmcnt OF the United States COM
plains. that they will make PREPARATION
~ far as PREPARATION IL possible for
injuries which arc without measure.
and that they will take immediate
7 afAua a.. 40 49, -
anything so obviously subversive of
the principles OF warfare for which
the imperial German government has
In the past so wisely and 40 firmly
commended.
The government and people OF
the United states look 10 the Imperial
German government for just and
prompt ana enlightened action in this
vital matter with the greater conf
dence bccaune the United States and
Germany are bound together. not
only by special ties % friendship. but
also by the explicit stipulafions of the
teraty OF 1888 between the United
States and the Kingdom OF PRUSSIA.
Expressions Of regret and Offers
~ feparation In ease Of the destruc'
ton Of neutral ships sunk BY mistake,
while they may satisfy internationa.
obligations, n no loss OF life results
cannot Justify or excuse a practice
the natural and necessary effect o.
which II 10 subject neutral nationi
and neutral persons to new and i'm
measurable risks.
The imperial German government
will not expect the government q
the United states TO omit any wore
or any act necessary Ia the perform.
ance Of its sacred duty of maintain
ing the rights of the United StateI
and It's citizens and ~ safeguarding
their free exercise and enjoyment
CSigned) BRYAN"