The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-14
Secretary Of State
Washington, May IA, 1e


 American Ambassador at Der Mns Please caI1on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and after reading to him this communication, leave with him a. copy.
 In view of recent acts of the German authorities in violation of American rights on the high seas, which culminated in the tor pedoing and sinking of the Brit ish steamship Llusitania on May T, 1915, by which over one hun dred American citizens lost their dives it is clearly wise and de- ssiralb1e that the Government of the United States and the Imper- ia1 German Government should come to a clear and full under standing as to the grave situation which has resulted
 The sinking of the British pass enger steamer FSalaba by a Ger man submarine on March 2S, through which Leon c. Thrasher, an American citizen, was drown ed the attack on April 2s on the American vessel Cushing by a German aerop1ane: the torpe-J doing on May l of the American vessel. G11dight by a German submarine, as a, result of which two or more American citizens met their death; and, finally, the torpedoing and sinking of the steamship Lusitania. constitute a series of events which the Gov ernment of the United States has observed with growing concern, distress and amazement.
 Recalling the humane and en- hghtened attitude hitherto. as- sumed by the Imperial Govern ment in. matters of international right and particularly with re- gard to the freedom of the seas; having learned to recognize the German views and the German influence in the field of intefna- tiona1 obligation as always en- gagged upon thesside of Justice and humanity; and having understood the instructions of the Imperial German Government to it's naval commanders to be upon the same plane of humane action prescrfb- ed by the naval codes of other na- tions, the Government of the United States was Ioath to be- 1ieve=1t cannot now bring itself bo beIieve-that these acts,. so absolutely contrary to the rules, the practices, and the spirit of modern warfare, could have the < ccuntenance or sanction of that great Government.
 It feeIs it to be it's duty. there fore, to address the Imperial German Government concerning them with the utmost frankness and in the earnest hope that it is not mistaken in expecting ao- tion on the part of the Imper4a1 German Government which will correct the unfortunate fmpres- sions which have been created and y1ndtcate once more theNpo- sfszon of that Government with regard to the sacred Freedom of the sea.
 The Government of the United States has been apprised that the Imperial German Government considered themselves to be ol- ligated by the extraordinary cir cun1stances of the present war and the measures adopted by their adversaries in seeking to cut Germany off from all com merceA. to adopt methods of re- taTiation which go much beyond the ordinary methods Of warfa4e 6 at sea, in the proclamation of a war zone from which they have warned neutral ships to keep away.
 This Government has already taken occasion to inform the Im- periaI German Government that < it cannot admit the adoption of such measures or such 3 warming Of danger 1o operate as in any degree an abaoFeviatfon of the rights of American shipmasters or Of American citizens bound on lawful errands as passengers on merchant ships Of bef1igerent Ha- tfonality ;a1td that it must hold the Imperial German Government to a strict accountability for any infringement of these rights, in tentionaI or incidental.
 It does not understand the Inn perial German Government te question those rights It assumes on the contrary, that the Imperia, German Government accept as o1 <. course the rule that the lives ol non-combatants Whether they be of neutral rttizenshfp or citizens of one of the nations at war, can. ! not lawfully or rightfu11y be pI1- in Jeopardy by the capture or de stFuetien of an unarmed mer ehantnlan. and recognize 41so, al all other nations do. the obldga, ton to take hlae usual precautio1 of visit and seafeh ho ascertai1 whether a suspected merchant man is in fast of belligerent ma tienality CT is in fact carPyini centrabaHd of war under a neu trd flag.
 The GoEeFnmenf of Ehe Unfaes States therefore desiBes te cal the attention Of taa Imperial Ger man Government with the ut most earHestAess to aT7e fact tha the objection to their presen method of attack against tn trade of their enemies lies in tn practical iapossibility of employ ing submarines in the destructioi of commerce without disregard ing these rules of fairness, j1stic and humanity which all moder. opinion regards as imperative.
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