The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1915-07-15
REPLY MADE By GERMANY
TO l. A.REQUESTS IN NOTE

IRON neutral ships, without fufl ef
iormality, ali mer chandise proceed
lug TO Germany, 10 AeIl as all mer.
chandise coming from GERMANY, even
"hen neutArl prouertv. Just as IL
was also with the Beers, the German
people are now tn be given the choice
OF perishing from starvation with its
"omen and children or Of relinquIsh.
Ing It's independence.
""hile our enemies thus loudly
and openly proclaimed war without
mercy until our utter des ructIun,
We we're conducting he war in self
defense for our nationAi existence
and for lhe sake OF peace OF an as
sured permanency. We have been
Obliged TO adopt a submarine warfare
10 me the declared intentions rui
our enemies and the method OF saf.
fare adopted bY them In cJntraven-
tion OF international Law. With all
It's efforts ln principle to protect neu-
tral life and property from damage as
much ~ possible, the German gov.
ernment recognized unFeseryedly In
Its memorandum Of Fsb. that the
Interests Of neutrals might suffer
from the submarine warfare. How
ever, the American government will
also understand and appreciate that
in the light for existence, which la,
been forced upon Germany by its ad-
Sersarlrs and announced by them, Il
Is the sacred duty OF the imperial
government TO do all within It's po yer
tn protect and sive the lives OF Ger.
man subjects II the imperial gov
ernment we're derelict In these, It's
duties II would ne guilty before God
and history Of the violation Of those
principles OF highest humanity
which are the founnatiOn Of every
national existence.
"The case OF ihs LusiIAnia Shows
Attn horrible clearness 10 what jeup
ardiziug OF human lives the manner
OF conducting war employed by our
adyersaIies leads. In tine most direct
contradiction OF international law,
all distinctlon between merchrntmeu
and war vessels have been oblilerIted
by the order ~ British merchantmen
TO arm themselves and to ram sub
marines and the promise Of rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chanImen as travellers thereby have
been exposed by an increasing degree
to all the dangers OF var.
III the commander OF the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusi-
tanis had caused the crew .and pas.
Sengers to take to the boats before
firing a torpedo, this would have
meant the sure destruction OF nj,
own vessel. After the experience In
sinking much smaller and less sea
wurtuy vessels, 1t VAS to he expected
that mighty ship like the Lus .
tania would remain above water long
enough even after the torpsdoing tU
permit passengers to.enter the ship :
boats. Circumstances Of Verg ps.
culiar kind, especially the presence
OH board Of large quantities Of highl,
explosive materials, defeated tnis ex-
pectSt.on.
"In addition IL nrAy be pointed out
that II the Lusi, anIa had been spared
! thousands Of cases Of munitions
would have been sent t0 Germany >
enen les aud thereby thousands Of
German m thers and children robbed
Of bread winners,
"In the spirit Of friendship shere-
with the German nation has been i'm
bued toward the Union and IT'S iu
nabitants since he earliest Gays RI
rs existence, the Imperial govern.
ment Will al says be ready 10 do all .
can during tie present war also t.
prevent tie jsop trdizing Of America
citizens. The imperial government.
therefore, rep ats the assurances tiiti
American ships Si,l not he hiBaered
in tie prJsecutl OF legitimate ship
ping aud the lives OF American citi'
zens 10 reutral vessels shall O I u
placed In ienpNrny.
I'm order ~ exclude aoy uniorseer
dan.ers to American passenger ste an
efs. maze possible IN 'ie" Of the con
duct Of maritime var by Germany
sdveIsariss, German submarines "ll
ta Instructed to perfuit tue free aus
safe passage of such pas-sngef stehn.
srs wnsn mads recOsnlEable by spec
isl ma kings snd noti5eo reason
able tims So advance Tue impefia
government, however, coundrntl!
nposs tnat the AHericAp government
wtlI assume 10 guarantee that lnes
vessel. have no CDntfshand On board
ds.sils OF arrangement Tor tie ub
hampered passa.s Of these vessels {