The Harrison times., 1915-07-17

Washington. Arrival OF the press
translation Of the German note con
f1rmed impressions that Germany
would refuse to give the assurances
asked by the United States that the
lives of Americans travelling the high
seas on unarmed ships OF any nation.
ality be not endangered.
The apparent restriction placed by
Germany on the use OF American pas.
senger ships which are TO be given
complete immunity from interference
only II they do not carry contraband,
is regarded as adding another to the
many issues which have arisen over
submarine warfare. II is believed
Germany disclaimed liability for the
loss of Americans in the Lusitania
tragedy and has lightly passed over
the chief principle for which the Unit
ed States announced that II would
omit mo word or act
The general feeling that the reply
is unsatisfactory and will bring to a
crisis the friendly relations that have
existed between the United States
and Germany developed more strong
ly among officials as news Of the con-
tents Of the note spread,
The course of the United States Is
problematical Many officials who are
familiar with Germany's proposals as
outlined by Ambassador Gerard, favor
an emphatic assertion by the Ameri.
can government that II intends to eN'
ercise its rights under international
law, placing upon Germany the re-
sponsibiity for any violation that
may cause q breach OF friendly relC'
tions
Following is the press translation Of
the German reply TO the American
note concerning submarine warfare
Borlin,-"The undersigned has the
honor to make the following re-
ply to his eXcelency, Amabassa.
dor Gerard TO the note OF the 10th al.
timo, regarding the impairment o'
American interests by the German
submarine war The imperial govern,
ment learned with satisfaction from
the note how earnestly the govern.
ment Of the United states IN concern.
ed IN seeing the principles OF human.
fly realized In the present war Also
this appeal finds ready echo in Ger
many and the imperial government is
quite willing to permit It's statements
and decisions IN the present case to
be governed by the principls Of hu,
manity Just ~ II has done always,
Humanity Always,
"Tho imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
government IN the note Of May 10 t.
self recalled that Germany had al.
ways permitted itself TO be governed
by the principles Of progress and hU,
mOnty In dealing with the law Of
maritime war Since the time when
Frederick the Great negotiated with
John Adams, Reniamin Franklin and
Thomas Jefferson, the treaty Of friend.
ship and commerce of September o,
1885, between Prussia and the repnh'
lie OF the West, German and Amer.
can statesmen have IN fact always
stood together In the struggle for the
freedom Of the seas and for the pro.
lection OF poaccahlo trade In the In.
tornatlonO proceedings which have
since been conducted for the rcgula,
ton OF the laws Of maritime war.
Germany and America have Jointly ad.
vocated progressive principles, cspe.
cinlly the adjustment OF the right Of
capture nc sea and the protection o.
the interests Of noutrala
Germany Willing 10 Restrictions,
"Eyen at the beginning Of the pres.
ent war the German government I'm.
medlately declared its willingness IN
response TO proposals. OF the Amcrl.
can government TO mtlry the doclara.
ton Of London and thereby subject Il
sell IN the use OF its naval forces 10
all the restrictions provided heroll
IN favor Of neulrOls Germany llRo
wise hOa been always tenacious of the
principle that war should be- conduct
cd against the armed and organized
forces 0f aA enemy country but that
the enemy civilian population must b.
spared oa far ae possible from The
measures Of war The imperial gov
eminent chonshes the definite hope
that some way win be found when