The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-07-31
NOTE D|SpLElSES GERMANS.
UNFAVORABLE COMMENT IN
NEWSPAPERS OF BERLIN.
Question OF Use of Submarines as
Viewed by United States Stirs Ire
OF TeutOns.

Berlin, July 26. (Oversea News
Agency Dispatch to Sayville. n. Y)-
The latest American note to Germany
concerning submarine warfare was
received most unfavorably by the
German newspapers. in which it was
printed Sunday.
The Vossische Zeitung in a lengthy
editorial says:
THE refusal to accept Germans
practical proposal to protect Ameri-
can passengers shows an absolute lack
OF readiness to understand the Ger
man standpoint. 1t is true that bel
| ligerents must respect neutral rights
but only provided neutrals do every
thing TO prevent their citizens getting
into situations where protection is
impossible.
Victory over the eemy is the su-
preme law for every belligerent. Those
who render more difficult this task
than does international law support
the enemy. A person who remains
within beleagured fortress or walks
into a gunfire zone risks his life with
out the right Of protection from his
home government. The same also is
true OF naval warefare in spite Of the
mistaken phrase freedom Of the seas.
1t is granted that the ocean is free
for peaceful travel. but naval battles
also take place on It, Neutral ships
sailing between fighting battleships
run the risk of being hit by shells
and also Of being struck by mines.
Those who demanded that Ger
many should conduct the war accord
ing to rules laid down by some acad-
emic professor. expect Germany either
10 endanger her submarines or to
give up this warfare which means
the weakening Of Germany in the in
terest Of her enemy. This is not
neutrality but partisanship against
Germany.
I'VE know today that the passen-
gers (of the Lusitania) could have
been saved. but that they were neg
lected. Germany regrets their
death. but she has a clear conscience
and has no reason to disapprove OF
the conduct Of her submarine com.
manders.
President Wilson considers the
further torpedoing of British war.
ships carrying American passengers a
deliberately unfriendly act. While
Germany always is glad to respect
American friendship. she has con.
ceded everything that can be conced-
ed. One bit more would be consider.
ed humiliating."
The Tagliche Rundschau and the
Kruez Zeitung similarly declare that
the American note calls for decided
opposition and that 1t requires Great
Britain to show at least an equal re-
spect for the spirit of international
law as the president demands from
Germany.
The Tageblatt says:
The note shows clearly that the
American government cares more for
the gripping Of our submarine war
than for the safeguarding OF Ameri-
can lives. The note proves that pro-
British influence has gained an up.
per hand In President Wilson's circle
We hope the common sense Of the
American people will prevent citizens
from serving as protection for English
munition ships"
The Tages Zeitung says:
"Neutrals have rights. but SO. also
has great nation fighting for its life
Though maintaining submarine war
fare. Germany always Is willing to
respect the justifiable wishes OF Amer.
leans. but not at any price,"
Count Ernest Won Reventlow in The
Tages Zeitung declares the contents
and wording far exceed even the
most unfavorable anticipation. He
writes:
THE note uses language which will
find no response with the overwhelm.
ing majority OF the German nation
since 1t seems in the last analysis
an appeal to fear. threatening
domineering demand. 1t breathes
almost hateful disregard of the