The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-11
APPEAL TO REASON
WITH HIDDEN THREATS
Continued from page ID

WITH HIDDEN anGkAAH
Continued from page ID
government, will accept the American
position as one that 1t can endorse.
In dealing with the Lusitan1a, the
I"eleventh hour" changes in the note
all have been made along lines aimed
Ito satisfy the German government
lis frankly stated that the Uniteo
States has in every way enforced i.s
international laws. Germany is toio
THAT the New York port officials ga "
1.-THE Lusitania was not armed Tor ot
lfensive action; that she was not ser y.
ling as transport; that she did aos
}carry a cargo prohibited. by American
statutes and that she was exactly as
was represented, an unarmed mer'
Ichantman. The United States paves
the way for Germany to secure an IS
.Ivestigation of the entire matter ~
saying:
IF the imperial German government!
should deem itself to be in the possea'
sion OF convincing evidence that the
officials OF the government OF the
limited States did not perform tne'r
duties with thoroughness, the govern
ment Of the United States sincerely
hopes that it will submit that evidence
for consideration"
In this way the Lusitania case rs
! held open while the original demand
that American lives be safeguardeo Is
| repeated and emphasized.
The note again declares that there
can be no comparison with the wrongs
which Germany com plains she has sui
fered at the hands of her enemies.
who, she alleges, are violating every
rule of the law of the seas.
The government Of the United Stat's
lie contending for something much
greater than mere rights of properly
or privileges Of commerce, the note
continues. 1T is contending for MOTH
ing less high and sacred than the
rights of humanity, which every gov
eminent honors itself in respecting
and which no government is justihea
in resigning on behalf OF those under
its care and authority"
This is the foundation Of the Amer
lean case. President Wilson Is willing
to discuss with Germany just what
rules should be applied to submarine
warfare He is willing to act as med
iator between Germany and her en-
emies in anything that may bring
about even a partial accommodation
OF interests, or in any way mitigate
the terrors of the present distressing
conflict
In doing so, however, he insists that
the United States must be assured
that its rights under international
law are recognized and respected.
The president makes it evident:
America understands that the imper-
ial German government already als
accepted as matter of right that It's
proclamation Of war zone "cannc!
be made to operate as in any degree
an abbreviation of the rights either OF
American ship masters or of Ame,f-
can citizens, bound on lawful errands
as passengers on merchant ships o.
belligerent nationality" He accepts
as a matter of fact that the German
government has obligated itself to
have its submarine commanders take
all precautions to establish the fden-
tity of all vessels encountered. He
asks, however, and emphasizes, as the
only issue between the nations:
"The governments OF the United
States therefore deems it reasonable
to expect that the imperial German
government will adopt the measures
necessary to put these principles IN
to practice in respect of the safeguard
ing Of American lives and American
ships, and asks for assurances that
this will be DONE"
Until Berlin answers, the president
and his cabinet and the officials who
are aiding him in every way. will as
sumo that the German reply will be
friendly and that she will give the
asked for assurances. There will he
no war talk by any responsible Of
| fetal and no steps taken toward the
next move by the president. Although
| it is accepted as fact that if the
German reply is evasive. or refusal,
there will be nothing left for the pres
ident to do but to withdraw Ambas
sador Gerard and the American con.
sular representative from German,
thus severing diplomatic relations, the
president and his advisors have as
sumed that there is no reason to be
llieve that Germany will not see The
logic of the American position. TherA
fore they hold that consideration Of
any additional steps would be dang ar
Iously premature.
/ 1t was believed that the German re
Iply would very probably reach he:e
in about ten days, MeyerGerard, WIKI
bears Ambassador Won Bernstorff':
message to the kaiser and his cabinet
should reach Berlin next "wednesday
morning It is deemed certain tina
he will have an immediate audience
and that he will explain to the German
officials that the American people ar
united in supporting the president OF
the general principles involved. Tha
his influence will be for concession
} which will meet the American posi-
ition, was considered foregone con
lclusion and as he will be in positio
ito tell Germany that in the interests o
. absolute neutrality, the United State
is preparing sharp protests for Gel
many's enemies, because of their viz
lations of international law in de
claring an illegal blockade, his in
fiuence is expected to be very great.
Delivery Delayed.
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