New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-11
PRESIDENT WILSON'S LATEST NOTE TO GERMANY

ton of the legality of the methods by the German naval
authorities in sinking the vessel
But the sinking of passenger ships involves principles OF
humanity which throw into the background special cir
of detail that be thought to affect the cases.
principles which lift the Imperial German Government
will doubt be quick recognize and acknowledge, out OF
the class of ordinary subjects of diplomatic discussion or of
international controversy Whatever be the other facts
gardg the Lutania the principal fact that great steamer
primarily and chiefly for and carry
ing than thousand souls who had part lot in the
conduct of the torpedoed and sunk without much
challenge warning, and that and children
to their death in circumstances unparalleled IN
modern warfare. The fact that than hundred
American citizens among those who perished made
the duty the Government of the United States to speak OF
these things and more with solemn emphasis to call
the attention of the Imperial German Government to the
grave responsibility which the Government of the United
States conceves that has incurred in this tragic occurrence
and the nspuable principle upon which that RESPONSE
bily rests The Government of the United States is
tending for something much greater than rights of
property privileges of is contendng TOR
nothing less high and sacred than the rights OF humanity
which every honors itself respecting and which
no government is justified in resgning behalf of those
under its and authority Only her actual resistance to
capture refusal to stop when ordered to do so for the P
pose could have afforded the commander OF the SUBJ
any Justification for much putting the lives OF
those on board the ship a jeopardy. This principle the
of the United States understands the explicit IN
structons issued August 1914 by the Imperial German
Admiralty its commanders at to have recognized and
embodied as do the naval codes of all other nations and
upon every traveller and seaman had right to depend
upon this principle of humanity well the law
founded upon this principle that the United States must stand
The Government of the United States happy to observe
that Your Exceencys closes with the nmation that the
Imperial German Government is willing, now as before, to
accept the good Offices of the United States attempt to
come to an understanding with the Government OF Great
Britain by which the character and conditions OF upon
the sea may be changed The Government of the United
States would consider privilege thus to serve its friends
and the world stands ready at time to convey to
either any ntmaton suggestion the other
may be willing have it convey, and cordially invites the
Imperial German Government make of its services
this way at its convenience The whole world concerned
anything that may bring about partial accommoda-
ton of interests any way mitigate the errors of the
present distressing conflict.
In the meantime whatever arrangement may happily be
made between the parties to the war, and whatever in
the opinion of the Imperial German Government have been
the provocaton the ccumstana justification for the past
acts of its commanders the Government of the United
States confidently looks the justice and humanity OF the
Government of Germany vndcated in all where Ame
cans have been wronged their rights neutrals invaded
The Government of the United States therefore
earnestly and very solemny the representations of
the 18th of May and relies in these the
principles humanity the universally recognized under
standings of international law, and the ancient friendship of
the German nation.
The Government of the United States cannot admit that
the proclamation Of from which neutral ships have
been warned to keep away be made to operate as IN
degree an of the rights either of American ship
master. or of American citizens bound lawful eands
passengers on merchant ships Of belgerent nationality
does not understand the Imperial German Government to
question those rights understands it, also, to accept as
established beyond question the principle that the lives OF
noncombatans cannot lawfully rightfully be put In
;eouardy by the capture destruction of an unre'ng mer
eb,nman and to recognize the obligation to take sufficient
nrecaution to ascertain whether suspected merchantmen
f fact Of beliseren nationality of fact carrying contra
hand Of war under neutral flag The Government OF the
d State. deems reasonable to expect that the Imperial
C.n Government will adopt the measures necessary to
mt these PRINCIPLES into practice respect of the safeguarding
Ac., live. and American ships, and asks for assu.
ances that this will be DONE ~
"A''' ROBERT LANSING,
Secretary of State ad interim.