The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-06-11
COMPLETE TEXT OF NOTE
WRITTEN BY PRESIDENT

that this Information may not have
been brought TO the attention OF the
government OF the United States.
1T is stated In the note that the
Lusitania was undoubtedly equipped
with masked guns. supplied with
trained gunners and special ammu
milton. transporting troops from Can
ada. Carrying a cargo not permitted
under the laws OF the United states
10 vessel also carrying passengers
and serving. IN virtual effect. as an
auxiliary TO the naval forces o!
Great Britain.
Fortunately. these are matters
concerning which the government OF
the United States IL In a position "a
give the imperial German govern.
ment official Information.
lusisanIa Not Armed
"of the facts alleged in your OK.
cellency's note. IL true. the govern.
ment OF the United States would
have been bound to take official
coEnlxance In performing its rec.
osnized duty as neutral power
and In enforcing It's national laws.
II was Its duty TO see to IL that the
Lusitania was not armed for OF.
fensive action. that she was no,
serving as a transport. that she did
not carry cargo prohibited by the
statutes OF the United States. and
that. II In fact she was n naval YES.
sci OF Great Britain. she should no,
receive clearance as a merchant
man: and II performed that duty
and enforced its statutes with scrti
pulous vigilance thru its lsgu
larry constituted officials. II Ia
able. therefore. to assure the i'm
perial German government that 1,
has been misinformed.
III the imperial German govern,
ment should deem Itself to be In
possession OF convincing evidence
that the officials OF the government
OF the United States did not per
form these duties with thoroness
the government OF the United States
sincerely hopes that IL will submit
that evidence for consideration
Contentious Are Irrelevant
Whatever may be the conten
tons OF the imperial German gov
eminent regarding the carriage oil
contraband OF war on board the
Lusitania or regarding the explo
sion OF that material by torpedo
II need only be said that. in the
view OF this government. these con
tentions are irrelevant to the ques
ton OF the legality OF the methods
used by the German naval authori
ties In sinking that vessel.
But sinking OF passenger ship,
involves principles OF humanity
which throw into the background
any special circumstances OF detail
that may be thought TO affect the
cases. principles which lift II, M
the imperial government will nc
doubt be quick TO recognize and
acknowledge. out OF the class oil
ordinary subjects OF diplomatic dis
cussion or international controversy
Whatever be the facts regarding
the Lusitania. the principal fact Il
that great steamer, primarily and
chiefly a conveyance for passen
gers. and carrying more than q
thousand souls who had no part oi
lot in the conduct Of the war. wa,
torpedoed and sunk without &c
much as challenge or a warn
ing. and that men, women and chill
dren were sent TO their death In
circumstances unparalleled In mod
ern warfare.
American Lives Lost
THE fact that more than one
hundred American citizens were
among those who persisted made I,
the duty OF the government OF the
United States to speak Of these
things, and once more, with solemn
emphasis. 10 call the attention OF
grave responsibility which the
United States conceived that II has
incurred in this tragic occurrence
and to the indisputable principle
upon which that responsibility
rests.
THE government OF the United
States 10 eontendIno for something
much greater than mere rights OF
property or privileges Of commerce.
II 10 eontsnding for nothing less
high and sacred than the rights OF
humanity. which every government
honors Itself In respecting, and
which no government is Justified
In resioning on behalf OF those
under Its care and authority.
Hnuly har actual rgaiaf.pga va
capture or refusal TO stop when
ordered to do so for the purpose OF
VISIT could have afforded the com.
mander OF the submarine any justi.
fIcation for so much as putting the
lives OF those on board the ship in