The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-07-17
sands of German mothers and cha-
dren robbed of breadwinners.
Wnn,f Isona rdize American liVe2.


dren robbed of breadwinners.
Won't Jeopardize American Lives.
in the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been I'M
bued towards the Union and its In
habitants since the earliest days OF its
existence, the imperial government al
ways will be ready to do all it can
during the present war also to prevent
the jeopardizing Of lives of American
citizens. The imperial government
therefore, repeats the assurance that
American ships will not be hindereo
in the prosecution of American ship
ping, and the lives Of American citi-
zens on neutral vessels shall not De
placed in jeopardy.
I'm order to exclude any unforeseen
dangers to American passenger stealS-
ers made possible in view Of the con-
duct of maritime war by Germany's
adversaries, German submarines Will
be instructed to permit the free ana
safe passage of such passenger steam
ers when made recognizable by spe-
cial markings and notified a reason
able time in advance. The imperial
government, however, confidently
hopes that the American government
will assume to guarantee that these
vessels have no contraband on board,
. details of arrangement for the un-
hampered passage of these vessels to
be agreed upon by the naval author
; tiles of both sides.
For Neutral Passenger Service.
: In order to furnish adequate facili-
ties for travel across the Atlantic for
! American citizens, the German gov
e ernment submits for consideration the
: proposal to increase the number OF
: available steamers by installing in
D passenger service a reasonable num-
S Der of neutral steamers under the
American flag, the exact number to be
agreed upon under the same condition
+ as the above mentioned American
II steamers.
9 "The imperial government believes
q it can assume that in this manner ad
eouate facilities for travel across the
n Atlantic ocean can be afforded Amerl
:. can citizens. There would, therefore
=. appear to be no compelling necessit!
:. of American citizens to travel to Eu
=. rope in time of war on ships carryin.
a, an enemy flag. In particular the i'm
10 perial government is unable to admi
to that American citizens can protect al
II. their presence on board.
E. American Flags on Enemy Ships.
Germany merely followed Eng
id lands example when she declared par
cy of the sea an area of war; Cons'
re uuently, accidents suffered by neutral
or on enemy ships in the area of wa
ne cannot well be judged differently froI
n accidents to which neutrals are at
a times exposed at the seat of war
le- land when they betake themselvs
nd into dangerous localities in spite {
I'M previous warnings. If, however,
ia, should not be possible for the Amer
can government to acquire an ad
quate number of neutral passeng'
to steamers, the imperial government
,m prepared to interpose no objections
er- the placing under the American fla
ry. by the American government OF fol
Lfr enemy passenger steamers for pa
hit senger traffic between North Ameri'
re. and England Assurances of free al
art safe passage for American passeng
ate steamers would extend to apply und
Ich the identical conditions to these fl
its merly hostile passenger steamers.
m, Hopes for Understanding.
ial "The president of the United Stat
its has declared his readiness in VI
OF deserving of thanks to communics
.ial and suggest proposals to the govel
its ment of Great Britain with particul
'od reference to the alteration of martin
the war. The imperial government "
ich always be glad to make use OF
nal good Offices of the president, a
hopes that his efforts in the prest
,ws case, as well as in the direction
Ieo- the lofty ideal of the freedom OF
an seas, will lead to an understanding.
by "The undersigned requests the
d. bassador to bring the above to
aw, knowledge of the American COVE
nen ment. and avails himself of the OPP
ted tunity to renew to his excellency
nen assurance of his most distinguish
ma consideration.
rds (SignedD won Jagow.