Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1915-05-21
hNIE:RiCHH NOTE
Goes 70 BERLIN
Demands Germany Guarantee
Safety Of Americans.
EARLY REPLY IS EXPECTED
Declares Attacks on Merchantmen
Carrying Non-Combatants Must
Cease-Monetary Reparaton For
Iusitania Victims Not Mentioned.

CSasS-h oitStafy Ttepai ahioh vi
Lusitania Victims Not Mentioned.
The United States sent to Germany
a noae protesting against the sinking
Of the Lasitania, with the loss OF more
than l30 American lives, and other
violations OF American rights on the
high seas.
After three days of preparation by
President Wilson, with the assistance
of his cabinet, the document was
finally dispatched. A copy OF the nous
was delivered to Count Won Bernstorft
the German ambassador, BY the STATE
department as a courtesy, and copies
were similarly cabled to the Amerf
can ambassadors at LONDON, Paris and
Petrograd for their own information.
In some quarters friendly to Ger
many the impression prevailed that
the Berlin government would accede
to the American demands, but state
its expectation that the United States
would endeaYor to secure the unre
stricted passage OF foodstulfs and con
ditional contraband consigned 10 the
civilian population OF Germany.
Although no mention is understood
to be made as 20 the time when -
ply is expected from the imperial gov
ernment, the belief is that the Ger
man foreign Office, realizing the state
OF feeling il the United States, VIII
answer promptly.
The note does not say what steps
will be taken or what course will Da
pursued in the event OF an unfaYor
able reply, bit indicates that the Unit
ed States will spare no pains ethel
by diplomatic representations or 9th
erwise, to obtain an aCquiescence IN
its position.
The principal points in the Ameri
can note are as follows:
The United States government calls
attention to TIE various incidents IN
the war zoae proclaimed by Germany
around the British Isles; the sinking
oil the British liner FalaOia, with the
loss OF Lc2n. c. Threshcr, al Ameri
can; the attack by German airmen OH
the American steamer Cushing; the
torpedoing, without warning, OF the
American steamship Gulhight, flying
the Stars and Stripes, and finally the
torpeaoing without warning OF the LII
sitania, witl its loss OF more than q
thousand lives oil non-ccmbatantS
among them more than 100 Amen
cans.
These acts are declared to be inde
fensible under international law. The
United States points out tnat it never
admitted Germany's right to do them
and warned the imperial government
that il would be held to a strict &C
countability" for attacks on American
vessels or lives. A strict accounting
therefore, is now asked from Ger
many.
Expressions of regret may comply
with the legal precedents, but taeJ
are valueless unless accompanied D.!
a cessation OF the practices endanger
ing lives oil nOn-cCLbatants.
The right OF ncatrals to travel any
point OF the hisA seas on neutral OF
belligerent merchantmen is asserted
In the name of humanity and inter
national law, the United States de
mands a guarantee that these rlShts
will be respected, and that there DE
no repetition Of the attacks on mer
chantmen carrying non-combatants.
The giving OF warnings to the Amer
lean public WITHOUT officially commu
nicating them TO the United States
government is commented on n con
nection with the German enbassy's
printed aay c~t;sement before the sail
ing of TIE Lusitania, but irrespective
cf tIa .,-..,;::Gc to advise the America
e.. .crnmcrt CT Germany's purpose
t.. point IS made that notice OF ar
Intention 70 DO an unlawful ac
neither justified nor 1egalized it.
The suggestion is conveyed thai
the German government OF course
ccu!a nol have intended to destroy in
noceAt ives, and that consequently
the German submarine commanders
must have misunderstood their in
structions. Tne American government
indicates it, hope that this will be
found TO be true, and a cessation Of
the un.av:u! practices thereby vii
result.
In conclusion, Germany's attention
is ca:.ed to tne earnestness OF the
government and people of the United
States in this situation. It is made
plain that tie United States will leave
nothing undone either in dipiomati;
representations or other action to ob
tain a compliance By Germany to TIL;
requests made.