The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-07-24
FORECAST OF NOTE,
GERMANY WARNED THAT AT
TACKS ON UNARMED SHIPS
Is "UNFRIENDLY" ACT.
Reply Framed by President Wilson
and Secretary Lansing Is Final
Statement of the Position OF the
United States and Future Relations
With Germany Depend Upon Action
of That Country.

wilson and Secretary Lansing. .. con-
ferring at the White House tonight,
completed the new note to Germany.
warning her that the repetition of a
disaster such as that visited upon the
Lusitania or any violation of Ameri-
can rights on the high seas resulting
in loss of American lives will be re-
graded as "unfriendly." 1t will be
dispatched tomorrow.
Tht note Is in the nature of a final
statement by the United States of the
Interpretation that will be placed by
this government on future transgres-
sions of American rights, and repeats
that the American government will
leave nothing undone to stand by the
position it has previously declared.
Among the points in the new note
are:
1. The assumption by the United
States that Germany, by declaring her
submarine warfare to be a retalia-
tory measure against the alleged un-
lawful acts Of her enemies, has ad-
mitted that the destruction of unre-
sisting merchantmen without warm
ing is illegal.
2. German submarine commanders
already have proved that they can
save the passengers and crews Of ves-
sells and can act in conformity with
the laws of humanity in making war
on enemy ships.
3. The United States can not allow
the relations between the belligerents
to operate in any way as an abbrevia-
ton of the rights of neutrals, and
therefore any violation of the ptln-
ciples for which the American gov
ernment contends, resulting in a loss
Of American lives. will be viewed as
'unfriendly."
4. The representations which the
American government has made in
previous notes for disavowal of the
intention to sink the Lusitania with
Americans aboard and the request for
reparation are reiterated with re-
newed insistence.
8. The American government real
ICES the unusual and abnormal condi-
tons which the present conflict had
created in the conduct OF maritime
warfare and is willing TO act as an
Intern cdiary as between the bellig-
erents 10 arrange u modus vivendi or
any other temporary Arrangement
which does not involve surrender
by the United States Of it's rights.
b. The proposals made by Germany
70 give immunity to American ships
not carrying cOntraband, and to four
belligerents' ships under the American
Nag, are rejected with the emphatic
assertion that to accept such sug-
gestion would be to admit Germany's
right to set aside the American con-
tention based on fundamental prin-
ciples in international law--that
neutrals may travel anywhere on the
high seas on unresisting ships Of any
nationality even If CARRYING contra
band.
The note is about 1900 words long.
While nowhere in it Is there any in
direct intimation Of the course which
the United States will pursue in the
event of another disaster similar to
the Lusitania tragedy, there are en-
phatic statements throughout the
communication pointing out that the
discussion of the principles involved
has been virtually concluded and that
future conduct Of German submarine
commanders will determine the re-
sponsibility for the continuance Of
friendly relations between the two
countries.
The statement that future trans
gressions will be regarded as "un-
friendly" is taken in diplomatic quar-
ters to presage u break in friendly
relations unless reparatiOn and disa-
vowal is forthcoming President Will
son, it is understood, has considered
fully the construction which may be
placed on the implications Of the
note and is prepared to deal with any
now situation that may arise. He is
! hopeful and confident, however, it is
said. that Germany will now take
such precautions as seem necessary to
prevent any action that would en-
danger friendly relations with the
! United States.
From g o'clock this morning until
late tonight the president, with the
exception Of few hours spent in
recreation, was at work on copy
of the note. Secretary Lansing, who
had drafted it, worked on the original