The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1915-07-31

On July "a, what is conceded the final
word from the United States to Ger
many, over the destruction of the Lmsi-
tGniG, was published in newspapers
throughout the country. The note is
couched in terms which convey the i'm
preston that the period Of communica-
tions has passed, and that the relations
of the two countries in future are to be
decided by the German government in
the conduct of her submarine warfare
In language that cannot be misunder-
stood, the German government is told
that the United States will contend for
the freedom of the seas from whatever
quarter violated, without compromise,
and at any cost, and solemn warming
is given that a repetition of acts similar
to the LatsitG2oiG affair will be regarded
as deliberately unfriendly. Extracts
from the note are herewith given, the
opening paragraphs being as follows:
'The note of the imperial German
government dated the 9Th of July, 1915,
has received the careful consideration
of the government of the United States,
and it regrets to be obliged to say that
it found it very unsatisfactory, because
it fails to meet the real differences be-
tween the two governments, and indi-
Gates no way in which the accepted
principles of law and humanity may be
applied in the grave matter in contro-
versy, but proposes, on the contrary, ar
rangement for a partial suspension of
those principles which virtually sets
them aside.
CARGO MUST FIRST BE INSPECTED
'The government of the United States
notes with satisfaction that the imperial
German government recognizes without
reservation the validity of the principles
insisted upon in the several communica-
tions which this government has ad-
dressed to the imperial government with
regard to it's announcement of a war
zone and the use of submarines against
merchantmen on the high seas - the
principle that the high seas are free,
that the character and cargo of mer-
chantman must first be ascertained be-
fore it can lawfully be seized or de-
stroyed, and that the lives of noncom-
batants may in no case be put in jeo-
pardy unless the vessel resists, or seeks
to escape after being summoned to SUBJ
nit to examination; for a belligerent
act of retaliation is per Sc an act beyond
the law, and the defense of an act as re-
taliatory is an admission that it is il
legal"
RIGHTS OF NEUTRALS
Of the infringement of the rights of
neutrals, as defined by accepted inter-
national law, the following is said:
illegal and inhuman acts, however
justifable they may be thought to be
against an enemy who is believed to have
acted in contravention of law and hu-
manity, are manifestly indefensible
when they deprive neutrals of their &C
knowledged rights, particularly when
they violate the right to life itself.
eff a belligerent cannot retaliate
against an enemy without injuring the
lives of neutrals, as we'll as their prop
erty, humanity, as we'll as justice and
a due regard for the dignity of neutral
powers, should dictate that the practice
be discontinued.
eff persisted in, it would, in such cir
cumstances, constitute an objectionable
offense against the sovereignty of the
neutral nation affected"
POSSIBLE TO CONFORM TO REGULATIONS
Attention is drawn to the possibility
of conducting submarine operations in
accord with the regulations of common
warfare, in these words:
"The events of the last two months
have clearly indicated that it is DOS
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char
acterized the activity of the imperial
German navy within the so-called war
zone in substantial accord with the ac-
cepted practices of regulated warfare.
"The whole world has looked with in