The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1915-07-24

neutral nation affected.
The Government OF the United
States 10 not unmindfui of the ex-
traordinary conditions created by this
war or OF the radical alterations Of
circumstance and method Of attack
produced by the use OF Instrumental
ties OF naval warfare which the ma
lions of the world cannot have had In
Wow when the existing rules Of inter-
national law were formulated, and II
is ready to make every reasonable
allowance for these novel and unex-
pected aspects Of war at sea: but II
cannot consent to abate any essential
or fundamental right Of Its people be-
cause Of q mere alteration OF circum-
stance.
NeUTRALg RIGHTS NOT SUB
JEcT TO BELLIoERENTS NEEDS
The rights Of psutrsls in time Of
war are based UPON principle, not
upon sxpsdisney, and the principles
are irmutsbis. II 10 the duty and
obligation Of beIIioersnts to find .
WY to adapt the new circumstances
to them.
The events OF the past two months
have clearly indicated that IL Is pos
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char
acterixed the activity Of the Imperial
German navy within the so-called
war zone In substantial accord with
the accepted practices OF regulated
warfare. The whole world has looked
with interest and increasing sattsfac-
ton at the demonstration Of that
possibility by German naval COM
manders. It Is manifestly possible,
therefore. to lift the whole practices
of submarine attack above the criti-
cism which II has aroused and re-
move the chief causes Of o1ense.
In view Of the admission OF illegal
ity made by the Imperial Government
when Il pleaded the right Of retalia.
tlon IN defense of its acts. and IN view
OF the manifest possibility Of con-
forming TO the established rules Of
naval warfare. the Government d
the United otatss cannot believe tina,
the imperial Government will longer
refrain from disavowing the wsHtor
act Of lie naval commander In sink.
ing the lusitania or from Offering
reparation for the American livss
lost, 90 far - rspsration oan be wsds
for . needless destruction Of human
life by an ILLEGAL act.
The Government Of the United
States. while not Indifferent to the
friendly spirit In which 1t 10 made
cannot accept the suggestion OF the
certain vessels be designated and
agreed upon which shall be free or
the seas now illegally prescribed. Ths
very agreement would. by Implication
subject other vessels to Illegal attach
and would be q curtailment and there
fore an abandonment Of the principles
Tor which this Government contends
and which IN times Of calmer coun.
sells every nation would concede as o.
course.
The Government Of the Unite<
States and the Imperial German Gov
eminent are conten ding for the sa1n<
great object, have long stood togethel
In urging the very principles, upoI
which the Government Of the Unitet
States now 30 solemnly insists. Tbel
are both contendtng for the freedom
; of the seas
The Government Of the Unitet
e3tates will continue to contend 10
thAt freedom, from whatever quartz
violated, without cempromass and a
any cost
of the Imperial German Governmen
at this time when cooperation ma,
] accomplish most and this great com
. mon object be most striknsly an
effectively achieved.
WARNING AGAINST REPETITION
I. OF ATTACKS.
The Imperial German 0overnmen
expresses the hope that this obtec
; may be In some measure accomplish
, ed even before the present war end
. II can be. The Government OF tn
: United States not only feels oblige
to insist upon 1t, by whomsoeve
violated OF ignored, In the protectto
Of Its own citizens, but Is also deepl
interested In secing II made practic
able between the belligerents them
selves. and holds itself ready At an
time to act as the common frien
VINO may Do prl7ieBou 10 suggest
way.
In the meantime. the very valp
which this Government sets upon III
long ana unbroken friendship be
tween the people and Government {
Of the United States and the poop
and Government OF the German ns
ton impels It to press very solemn
upon the Imperial German Govern
ment the necessity of q scrupulot
observance Of neutral rights In tn
critical matter.
y Friendship itself prompts Il to "a
20 the imperial Government tn,
y repetition by the commanders Of 0sI
man naval vessels Of acts in oontrs
vention Of those rights must be RI
D ssrdsd by the oovsrnpeot Of II
United etates. whom they. !sffe,
American citizens, ~ deliberately w
h | friendly. (siansd) LANSING.