The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-06-11

This principle the government
OF the United States understands
the explicit Instructions issued on
August 3. 1914. by the imperial
German admiralty 10 It's command.
ers at sea to have recognized and
embodied. as do the naval codes
OF all other nations. and upon IL
every traveller aud seaman had
right to depend II is upon this
principle Of humanity as we'll as
upon the Law founded upon this
principle that the United states
must stand
The government OF III. United
States II happy TO observe that
your excellency's Lote closes with
the intimation that the imperial
German government H. willing.
now as before. To accept the good
offices OF tho United States In an
attempt to come To an understand.
ing with the government OF Great
britain. by which the character
and conditions OF the ysr upon the
sea may be changed
The government 81 tho United
States would consider u n privilege
thus TO serve its friends and the
world. II stands ready nj any time
to convey to either government ANY
| intimation or suggestion the other
may be willing 90 have Il convey.
and cordially invites the imperial
German government o. make use
OF its services In this way at ia
convenience.
Whole World Concerned
The whole world ia concerned
In anything that may bring about
even partial accommodation Of
interests or In aay way mitigate
the terrors OF the present distress
ing conflict
In the meantime. whatever ar.
rangement may happily be made
between the parties 20 the war and
whatever may In the opinion o' the
imperial German government have
been the provocation or the cir
cumstantial Justification for the
past acts OF its commanders NJ sea.
the government OF the United
States confidently looks to see the
| justice and humanity OF the gov.
eminent OF Germany indicated In
all cases where Americans have
/ been wronged or their rights m
neutrais invaded.
Rene~s Its Representations
The government OF the United
States. therefore. very earnestly
and very solemnly renews the rep.
reservations OF its note transmit
ted TO the imperial German gov.
eminent on the 18th of May and
relies In these representations
upon the principles of humanity.
the universally recognized under.
standings OF international law and
the ancient friendship OF the Ger
man nation.
| "The government OF the United
States cannot admit that the proc
lamstlon Of q war zone from which
neutral ships have been warned TO
keep away may be made 20 operate
az In any degree an abbrevlatlon
OF the rights either Of American
shipmssters or OF American clti-
xens bound on lawful errand as
passengers on merchant ships Of
beIllperent nationality. II does not
understand the imperial German
government TO question those
rights.
Acceptance Of Principle
1T understands II also to accept
as established beyond question the
principle that the lives of noncom-
batants cannot lawfully or rightful-
ly be put In jeopardy by the cap
ture or destruction OF an unreslst-
ing merchantmen and to recognize
the obligation to take sufficient
precantion TO ascertain whether a
suspected merchantmen Is In fact
OF belligerent nationality or Is In
fact carrying contraband OF war
under neutral flag The govern
ment OF the United States. there
fore. deems II reasonable TO ex.
pect that the imperial German gov.
eminent will adopt the measures
necessary to put these principles
into practice in respect OF the safe
guarding OF American lives and
American ships and asks for as
surances that this will be done.
lSigneds
ROBERT LANSING.
Secretary OF State ad Interim"