Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-24

NIT TO examination, AOA q oSA-AoS~--
of retaliation is per Sc an act beyond the
law and for the defence OF an act as re-
taliatory is an admission that 1t is NE
gal.
Cannot Be Exempt
The government of the United
States is. however, keenly dlsappolnt-
| ed to find that the Imperial German
government regards itself as In large
degree exempt from the obligation to
| observe these principles, even where
| neutral vessels are concerned, py
what it believes the policy and prac-
tice of the government of Great Brit
! ain to be in the present war with
regard to neutral commerce The I'M
perial German government Will read
lily understand that the government OF
! the United States can not discuss the
policy Of the government of Great
| Britain with regard to neutral trade
except with that government ltsel1.
and that it must regard the conduct
of other belligerent governments as
irrelevent to any discussion with the
Imperial German government of what
this government regards as grave and
|
of American citizens by German naval
commanders. Illegal and inhuman
acts however justifiable they may be
thought to be against an enemy who
is believed to have acted in contra
vention of law and humanity, are
manifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals of their acknowledged
rights. particularly when they violate
the right of life itself If a belligerent
can not retaliate against an enemy
without injuring the lives of neutrals.
as well as their property, humanity as
we'll as justice and a due regard for
the dignity of neutral powers, should
dictate that the practice be discon-
tinued. If persisted in it would in such
circumstances constitute an unpar-
do1able offense against the sovereign
ty of the neutral nation affected. The
government of the United States is
not unmindful of the extraordinary
conditions created by this war or of
the radica! alterations of circum
stances and method of attack pro-
duced by the use of instrumentalities
of naval warfare which the nations of
the world can not have had in view
when the existing rules of interna
tional law were formulated, and it
is ready to make every reasonable al
lowance for these novel and unex-
pected aspects of war at sea but it
cannot consent to abate any essential
or fundamental rights of it's people
because of a mere alteration of cir
cumstance. The right of neutrals in
time of war are based upon principle,
not upon expediency. and the princi-
pies are immutable. 1t is the duty and
obligation of belligerents to find a
way to adapt the new conditions to
them.
1.-THE events of the past two months
have clearly indicated that it is possible
and practicable to conduct such subma-
rine operations as have characterized the
activity of the imperial German navy
within the so-called war zone in substan.
tial accord with the accepted practices
of regulated warfare. The whole world
has looked with interest and increasing
satisfaction at the demonstration Of that
possibility by German navy command
ers. 1t is manifestly possible, therefore,
to: lift the whole practice Of submarine
attack above the criticism which it has
aroused ana remove t1e chlel causes OF
offence.
I'm view of the admission of illegal
, ity made by the imperial German gov
eminent when it pleaded the right of re-
, taliation in defence of its acts, and In
view of the manifest possibility of con-
forming to the established rules of naval
warfare, the government of the United
States cannot believe that. the imperial
government will longer refrain from dis
avowing the wanton act of it's naval
commander in sinking the Lustania or
from offering reparation for the Ameri-
car. lives lost so far as reparation can
be made for needless destruction of hui
man life by an illegal act
The government of the United States
while not indifferent to the friendly spirit
in which it is made, cannot accept the
suggestion of the imperial German gov
eminent that certain vessels be desig-
mated and agreed upon which shall be
free on the seas now illegally proscrh-
ed The very agreement would by i'm
plication subject other vessels to illegal
, attack and would be a curtailment and
therefore an abandonment of the prin-
ciples for which this government con-
tends and which in times of calmer coun-
sells every nation would concede as of
, course.
THE government of the United States
and the imperial German government are
contendng for the same great object,
have long stood together in urging the
|. very principles upon which the govern
ment of the United States now so SOL
emily insists. They are both contendng
for the freedom Of the seas. The govern
ment of the United States will continue
to contend for that freedom, from wha.-
ever quarter violated. without compro-
mise and at any cost. 1t invites the
practical cooperation of the imperial
German government at this time when
cooperation may accomplish most and
this great common object be most strik-
ingly and effectively achieved.
The Imperial German government
expresses the hope that this object
may be in some measure accomplish
ed even before the present war ends.
1t can be. The government Of the
United States not only feels obliged
to insist upon it by whatsoever violat-
ed. or ignored, in the protection Of it's
own citizens, but is also deeply inter-