Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-05-27

they cannot put prize crew on board
OF her, they cannot sink her without
leaving her crew and all on. board Of
her to the mercy OF the sea in her
small boats. These facts, 1t is under
stood, the imperial German govern
ment frankly admit. We are informed
that in the instances Of which we
have spoken time enough for even the
poor measure OF safety was not given,
and in at least two Of the cases cited
not SO much as warning was re-
ceived.
"Manifestly submarines cannot be
used against merchantmen, as the
last few weeks have shown, without
an inevitable violation OF many sacred
principles Of justice and humanity.
American citizens act within their
indisputable rights in taking their
ships and in travelling wherever their
legitimate business calls them upon
the high seas, and exercise those
rights in what should be the we'll
justified confidence that their lives
will not be endangered by acts done
in clear violation of universally ac-
knowledged international obligation
and certainly in the confidence that
their own government will sustain
them in the exercise OF their rights.
There was recently published In
the newspapers of the United States,
regret to inform the imperial gov
eminent, formal warning, purport.
ing to come from the imperial Ger
man embassy at Washington, address
ed to the people of the United States
and stating in effect that any citizen
OF the United States who exercised
his right. of free travel upon the seas
would do so at his peril II his journey
should take him within the zone of
waters within which the imperial
German navy was using submarines
against the commerce of Great Brit.
ain and France, Notwithstanding the
respectful but very earnest protest OF
this government, the government OF
the United States. / do not refer to
this for the purpose of calling the at.
tention of the imperial German gov.
eminent at this time to the surpris.
ing irregularity of a communication
from the imperial German embassy at
Washington addressed to the people
of the United States through the
newspapers, but only for the purpose
Of pointing out that no warning that
an unlawful and inhumane act would
be committed can possibly be accepted
as an excuse or palliation for that act
or as an abatement of the responsible
ity for its commission.
Long acquainted as 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 ac-
tuated and guided, the government Of
the United States cannot believe that
the commanders of the vessels which
committed these acts of lawlessness
did SO except under misapprehen-
sion Of the orders issued by the Ger
man authorities. 1t takes 1t for grant.
ed that, at least within the practical
possibilities of every such case, the
even of submarines were |
expected to do nothing that would in
volve the lives of non-combatants or |
the safety OF neutral ships, even at |
the cost Of failing OF their object OF |
capture or destruction. II confidently |
expects, therefore, that the imperial |
German government will disavow the |
acts of which the government of the |
United States complains that they |
will make reparation so far as repara-
ton is possible for injuries which are
without measure, and that they win
lake immediate steps to prevent the
recurrence Of anything so obviously
subversive OF the principles Of war.
ARE for which the imperial German
has in the past so wisely
and so firmly contended.
The government and people OF the
United States look to the imperial
German government for just and
prompt enlightened action in this vi.
al matter with the greater confidence
because the United States and Ger
many are bound together not only by
special ties of friendship, but also by
he explicit stipulations Of the treaty
IF 1928 between the United States
Ind the kingdom of Prussia.
Expressions Of regret and offers
If reparation In case of the destruc-
ion of neutral ships sunk by mistake,
while they may satisfy international
II no loss OF life results,
cannot justify or excuse a practice
he natural and necessary effect of
which is to subject neutral nations
Ind neutral persons to new and i'm
measurable risks.
"The imperial German government
will not expect the government OF the
United States to omit any word or
my act necessary to the performance
Il its sacred duty Of maintaing the
lights OF the United States and its
itizens and OF safeguarding their free
exercise and enjoyment.
BRYAN"
Flying to Business.