The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-07-27
United States Rejects Easions
Of Germany
FIRM STAND FOR RIGHTS is TEN.
OR OF REPLY
Secretary Lansing's Language Cour-
teOus but Firm. Leaves no Chance
for Misunderstanding.

WashingtOn-Following is the Off
cial text of the latest American note
70 Germany regarding submarine war
fare, which was delivered to the for
eign Office at Berlin Friday by Ambas-
sadOr Gerard:
THE secretary of state to Ambas-
sadOr Gerard Department of state
Washington, July 21, 1915. You are
instructed to deliver textually the fol-
lowing note to the minister of foreign
affairs
"The note Of the imperial German
government dated the Sth Of July
1915. has received the careful consid-
GRAFTON Of the government of the
United States, and it regrets to be
obliged to say that it has found it un-
satisfactory. because it fails to meet
the real differences between the two
governments, and indicates no way in
which the accepted principles of law
and humanity may be applied in the
grave matter in controversy, but pro-
poses on the contrary, arrangements
for partial suspension Of those prin-
ciples. which virtually sets them
aside
The government of the United
o~HANOO AOSCC Will SAIASAdEkAVW tlAdt tnc
imperial German government decog-
nizes without reservation the validity
of the principles insisted in the sew
eral communications which this goY-
ernment has addressed to the imperial
German government with regard to
its announcement of war zone and
the use Of submarines against mer-
chantment on the high seas-the prin-
1ivNy0 hot q trvt, kt,o%
the character and cargo of a mer-
chairman must first be ascertained
before she can lawfully be seized or
destroyed, and that the lives of nom
combatants may in no case be put in
jeopardy unless the vessel resists or
seeks to escape after being summon
ed to submit to examination; for a
belligerent act Of retaliation is per Sc
an act beyond the law, and the de-
tense of an act retaliatory is an ad-
mission that it is illegal
Keenly Disappointed.
The government of the United
States is, however, keenly disappoint-
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, by what
it believes the policy and practice of
the government of Great Britain to
be in the present war with regard to
neutral commerce. The imperial Ger
man government will readily under
stand that the government of the Unit
ed States cannot discuss the policy
of the government of Great Britais
with regard to neutral trade except
with that government itself, and that
1t must regard the conduct of other
belligerent governments as irrelevant
to any discussion with the imperial
German government of what this gov
ernment regards as grave and un-
justifiable violations of the rights os
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, ak,e
manifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals of their acknowledged
rights. particularly when they violate
the right to life itself
Should Discontinue Acts.
III DelllEerent cannot relllate
against al enemy without injuring
the lives Of neutrals, as well as their
property, humanity as well as Justice
and u due regard for the dignity Of
neutral powers, should dictate that the
practice be discontinued. II persist
ed In It would in such circumstances
constitute an unpardOnable offense
against the sovereignty of the neutral
nation affected. The government of
the United States is not unmindful Of
tie extraordinary conditions created
by this war or of the radical altera-
tions Of circumstances and method Of
attack produced by the use of the in
strumentalities of naval warfare
which the nations of the world cannot
have had in view when the existing
rules CT International law were forn-
rlated. end It is ready to make every
reasonable allowance for these novel
and unexpected aspects Of war at sea
bat It cannot consent to abate any es.
sontiAl or fundamental right ot It's
people btAuse Of mere alteration
of Circumstances. The rights of neu-
trai nations In time Of war are based
upon principles. not upon expediency,
and the principles are immutable. It
is the duty and obligation Of the bell