The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

10 arm themselves and to ram subma- rines, and the promise of rewards therefor, and neutrals who use mer- ehantmen as travellers thereby have been exposed in an increasing degree to all the dangers of war.
 Could Not Give Warning
 If the commander of the German submarine which destroyed the Lusi- tania had caused the crew and pas senger to take to the boats before nrfng torpedo this would have meant the sure destruction of his own ves- sei After the experiences in sinking much smaller and less seaworthy ves- seis It was to be expected that a mighty ship like the Lusitania would remain above water long enough even after the torpedoing to permit passen- eers to enter the ships boats Circum- stances of a very peculiar kind es- peclally the presence on board of large quantities of highly explosive mate rlals tword omitted. possibly 'dissi- patedO this expectation. Ia addition it may be pointed out that if the Lusi tania had been spared thousands of cases of munitions would have been sent to Germany's enemies and there by thousands of German mothers and children robbed of bread winners.
 Tn the spirit of friendship where- with the German nation has been im- hued toward the union and it's inhab- itants since the earliest days of its existence, the imperial government will always be ready to do all it can dur ing the present war also to prevent the jeopardizing of lives of American citizens The imperial government, therefore. repeats the assurances that American ships will not be hindered in the prosecution of legitimate shipping and the lives of American citizens in neutral vessels shall not be placed in jeopardy
 Tn order to exclude all unforeseen dangers to American passenger steam CTS. made possible in view of the con duct of maritime war by Germany's adversaries. German submarines will be Instructed to permit the free and safe passage of such passenger steam CTS 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 on by the naval authorities of both sides
 Protect American Steamers
 'In order to furnish adequate facil ities for travel across the Atlantic for American citizens the German govern ment submits for consideration pro posal to increase the number of avail able steamers by installing in pas senger service reasonable number Of neutral steamers under the American flag. the exact number to be agreed upon under the same condition as the above mentioned American steamers.
 The imperial government believes 1t can assume that in this manner ade- auate facilities for travel across the Atlantic ocean can be afforded Amer ican citizens There would, therefore, appear to he no compelling necessity for American citizens to travel to Eu rope in time of war on ships carry ing an enemy flag.
 "In particular, the imperials govern ment is unable to admit that Amer ican citizens can protect an enemy ship through the mere fact of their presence on board.
 "Germany merely followed England's example when she declared part of the high sea an area of war. Conse- quently. accidents suffered by neutrals on enemy ships in this area of war cannot well be judged differently from accidents to which neutrals are at all