The Washington times., 1915-06-11
Text of Second Wilson Note
On Submarine Warfare

only be said that in the view of this Government these
contentious are irrelevant to the question Of the
legality Of the methods used by the German naval
authorities in sinking the vessel.
But the sinking of passenger ships involves prin-
cples Of humanity which throw into the background
any special circumstances OF detail that may be
thought to affect the cases. principles which lift it. as
the Imperial German Government will no doubt be
quick to recognize and acknowledge, out Of the class
Of ordinary subjects Of diplomatic discussion or of
international controversy. Whatever be the other
facts regarding the Lusitana, the principal fact is
that a great steamer, primarily and chiefly con-
veyance for passengers, and carrying more than a
thousand souls who had no part lot in the conduct
OF the war, torpedoed and sunk without so much
as challenge or a warning, and that men, women,
and children to their death in circumstances
unparalleled in modern warfare. The fact that more
than 100 American citizens were among those who
pershed made it the duty Of the Government OF the
United States to speak of these things ard orce more,
with solemn emphasis, to call the attention OF the
Imperial German Government to the grave response
by which the Government of the United States
conceives that it has incurred in this tragic occur
renee and to the indisputable principle upon which
that responsibility rests. The Government of the
| United States is contcnding for something much
greater than rights of property privileges Of
commerce. 1t is contendng 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 resigning on behalf Of
those under its care and authority. Only her actual
resistance capture refusal to stop when ordered
to do so for the purpose Of visit could have afforded
the commander of the submarine any stihcation for
so much as putting the lives Of those on board the
ship in jeopardy. This principle the Government Of
the United States understands the explicit instructions
issued on August 8, 1914, by the Imperial German
Admiralty to its commanders at to have recog-
nized and embodied do the naval codes Of all other
nations, and upon it every traveller and seaman had
a right to depend 1t is upon this principle Of
humanity as we'll as upon the law founded upon this
principle that the United States must stand.
| Urges Conference
| The Government of the United States is happy
to observe that Your Exceencys note closes with the
intimation that the Imperial German Government is
willing, now as before, to accept the good offices of
the United States in attempt to to under
standing with the Government of Great Britain by
which the character and conditions Of the war upon
the sea may be changed The Government of the
United States would consider it privilege thus to
serve its friends and the world. 1t stands ready at
any time to convey to either Government any intima-
ton or suggestion the other may be willing to have it
convey and cordially invites the Imperial German
Government to make use of its services in this way
at its convenience The whole world is concerned
| in anything that may bring about a partial
accommodation Of interests in any way mitigate
the terrors of the present distressing conflict.
/ In the meantime whatever arrangement may
happily be made between the parties to the war, and
whatever may in the opinion Of the Imperial German
Government have been the provocation or the cir.
cumstantial justification for the past acts of its
commanders at sea, the Government Of the United
States confidently looks to see the justice and
humanity of the Government of Germany vndicatet
in all cases where Americans have been wronged OF
their rights as neutrals invaded
The Government Of the United States therefore
VERY earnestly and very solemnly renews the repre-
sentations of its note transmitted to the Imperial
German Government on the 18th Of May, and relic.
in these representations upon the principles o
humanity, the universally recognized understanding:
of international law, and the ancient friendship o
the German nation.
The Government OF the United States canno
admit that the proclamation of zone from which
neutral ships have been warned to keep away ma,
be made to operate as in any degree an abbreviaoI
of the rights either of American shpmasters or O
American citizens bound on lawful errands as passen
gers merchant ships Of belligerent nationality.
does not understand the Imperial German Gov
, ernment to question those rights 1t understand
I it, also, to accept as established beyond ques
tion the principle that the lives of noncomba
tfulIu he