The Washington times., 1915-07-10

Long before the beginning of sub
marine war;, England practically
completely intercepted legitimate
neutral navigation to Germany also.
Ihus Germany was driven to a sub
marine war on trade:
On November IA, 1914. the English
premier declared In the house Of
commons that 1t was one OF Eng
lands principal tasks to prevent
food for the German population from
reaching Germany via neutral ports.
Since March l, England has been
taking from neutral ships without
further formality all merchandise
Ir0ced,ns to Germany, as well n as
Germany. even when neutral
property. Just as 1t was also
with the Beers. the German people
are now to be given the choice of
women and children or of relinquish-
Ing Its independence.
While our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without
mercy until our utter destruction. we
were conducting a war In sclf-de-
Iense for our national existence and
for the sake of peace OF an assured
permanency.
We have been obliged to adopt
sumbarine warfare to meet the de-
clared Intentions of our enemies
and the method of warfare adopted
by them IN contravention of inter-
national law.
With Horrible Clearncss."
With all it's efforts in principle to
protect neutral life and property
1fom damage as much as possible.
the German government recognized
unreservedly in Its memorandum of
February 4, that the interests OF
ncutrals might suffer from the sub
n ~ lrN
American Government will also un-
derstand and appreciate that In the
hsht for existence. which has been
forced upon Germany by it's adver-
the sacred duty OF the imperial
government to do all within its
power to protect and save the lives
OF German subjects. If the i'm
perlal government were derelict in
these duties. 1T would be guilty be.
fore God and history of the VIOLA
ton OF those principles OF highest
humanity which are the foundation
of every national existence.
The case Of the Lusitania shows
jeopardizing OF human lives the
manner of conducting war employ
ed by our adversaries leads. In the
most direct contradiction OF inter
national law all distinctions between
merchantmen and war vessels have
British merchantmen to arm them
selves and to ram submarines and
the promise Of rewards therefor. and
neutrals who use merchantmen as
travellers thereby have been exposed
In an increasing degree to all the
dangers Of war.
Not To Jeopardize U. s. Lives.
II the commander OF the German
submarine which destroyed the Lu-
sitania had caused the crew and
passengers to take to the boats be-
fore firing torpedo this would
have meant the sure destruction of
his own vessel
After the experience in sinking
much smaller and less seaworthy
vessels II was to be expected that
mighty ship like the Lusitania
would remain above water long
enough. even after the torpedoing,
to permit passengers to enter the
ships boats. Circumstances of a
very peculiar kind. especially the
presence on board Of large quanti-
ties OF highly explosive materials
(word omitted. possibly "dlssi-
Tated) this expectation.
In addition, 1t may be pointed out
that II the Lusitania had been
srared thousands of cases OF mu-
nitions would have been sent to
thousands OF German mothers and
children robbed OF bread winners.
In the spirit OF friendship. where
with the German nation has been
imbued toward the Union and its in
habitantS since the earliest days OF