Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-24
DEPARTMENT or STATE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON. July q, 1915
The Secretary Of state to Ambassador
Gerard:
You are Instructed to deliver textually
the following note to the Minister for
FOREIGN Affairs
The note Of the Imperial German Gov
ernment dated the Sth OF July, 1915, has
received the careful consideration OF the
Government OF the United states and II
regrets to be obliged TO say that II has
found II very unsatisfactory, because II
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 prn-
poses on the contrary. arrangements for
a partial suspension Of those principles
which virtually set them aside.
The Government of the United States
notes with satisfaction that the Imperial
German Government recognizes without
reservation the validity OF the principles
insisted on in the several communica-
tions which this Government has ad-
dressed to the Imperial German Govern
ment with regard to its announcement Of
n 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 a mer-
chantman must first be ascertained be-
fore she can lawfully be seized or de-.
stroyed. and that the lives of noncom-
batants may In no case be put In jeopardy
unless the vessel resists seeks to es-
cape after being summoned to submit
20 examination. for n bellgerent act of
retaliation Is per Sc an act beyond the
law, and the defense of an act as re-
tallatory is an admission that II is IL
legal.
BRITISH ACTIONS NOT ON TRIAL.
The Government OF the United States
IL, however, keenly disappointed to find
that the Imperial German Government
regards itself as In large degree exempt
from the obligation to observe these prin-
ciples even where neutral vessels are
concerned. by what II believes the policy
and practice of the Government of Great
Britain to be in the present war with re-
gard to neutral commerce. The Imperial
German Government will readily under
stand that the Government of the United
States cannot discuss the policy of the
Government of Great Britain with regard
20 neutral trade except with that Govern
ment itself, and that it must regard the
conduct of other belllgerent governments
as Irrelevant to any discussion with the
Imperial German Government of what
this Government regards as grave and
unjusttiable violations of the rights OF
@AAANAANai NANASNilo W NSAAAtah nav "a NSAA-
manders.
Illegal and inhuman acts. however
1ustihable 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 acknowl- |
edged rights, particularly when they vio- |
late the right to life itself. II a belliger |
ent cannot retaliate against an enemy |
without injuring the lives of neutrals as |
well as their property. humanity, as well |
as Justice and a due regard for the |
dignity of neutral Powers, should dictate
that the practice be discontinued If per-
sisted in, 1t would in such circumstances
constitute an objectionable offense
against the sovereignty of the neutral
nation affected. The Government OF the
United States is not unmindful of the
conditions created by this
war or of the radical alterations of
and method OF attack pro-
iuced by the use of instrumentalities of
naval warfare which the nations of the
world cannot have had in view when the
existing rules of international law were
and it is ready to make every
reasonable allowance for these novel and
Unexpected aspects OF war al sea; but II
,annot consent to abate any essential or
right of it's people because