The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-07-14
NOTE MADE PUBLIC
Continued from page one.)


and openly proclaimed without mercy
until our utter destruction. we were
conducting war in self-defense for
our national existence and for the
sake of peace Of an assured perma-
nency. We have been obliged to
adopt a submarine warfare TO meet
the declared intentions Of our enc
mics and the methods of warfare
adopted by them in contraventlon OF
international law.
with all its efforts in principle to
protect neutral life and property
from damage as much as possible,
the German government recognized
unreservedly in it's memorandum OF
February that the interests OF neu-
trails might suffer from the subma-
rine warfare. However, the Ameri-
can government will also understand
and appreciate that N the fight for
existence which has been forced upon
Germany by it's adversaries and an
nounced by them it is the sacred duty
of the imperial government to do all
within it's power to protect and save
the lives of German subjects. II the
imperial government were derellct IN
these, it's duties. it would be guilty
before 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
with horrible clearness to what Jeo-
pardizing of human lives the manner
of conducting war employed by our
adversaries leads. In the most direct
contradiction Of international law, all
distinctions between merchantmen
and war vessels have been obhterated
by the order to British merchantmen
to arm themselves and to ram SUBJ
marines, and the promise of rewards
therefor, and neutrals who use mer-
chantmen as travellers thereby have
been exposed in an increasing degree
to all the dangers of war.
'If the commander of the German
submarine which destroyed the Lusl-
tania had caused the crew and pas
sengers to take to the boats before
firing a torpedo, this would have
meant the sure destruction OF his
own vessel. After the experiences IN
sinking much smaller and less sea-
worthy vessels, it was to be expected
that a mighty ship like the Lusltanla
would remain above water long
enough even the torpedoing to per
nit passengers to enter the snip
boats. Circumstances OF very pecu-
liar kind, especially the presence on
board of large quantities Of highly
explosive materials (word omitted
possibly "dissipated') this expecta-
ton. In addition it may be pointed
out that if the Lusitania had been
spared thousands of cases of NUM-
tions would have been sent to Ger
many's enemies and thereby thou
sands of German mothers and chill
dren robbed of breadwinners.
I'm the spirit of friendship where
with the German nation has been i'm
bued towards the union and its In
habitants since the earliest days OF
| its existence, the imperial govern
ment will always be ready to do all
it can during the present war also to
prevent the jeopardizing Of lives OF
American citizens. The imperial gov
ernment therefore repeats the assur-
ances that American ships will not De
hindered in the prosecution OF legltl'
mate shipping and the lives OF Amerl-
can citizens in neutral vessels shall
not be placed in Jeopardy
'sIn order to exclude any unfore-
seen dangers to American passenger
steamers made possible in view OF
the conduct of maritime war by Ger
many's adversacies, German subma'
rines will be instructed to permit the
free and safe passage of such passen'
| GER steamers when made recognizable
by special markings and notified 8
reasonable time in advance. The i'm.
| perial government, however, conn
IDENTIFY hopes that the American gov
| ernment will assume to guarantee
that these vessels have no contra bano
on board, details of arrangement fol
the unhampered passage of these yes.
| sells to be agreed on by the nava
authorities of both sides.
I'm order to finish adequate facil'
tiles for travel across the Atlantic foi
American citizens, the German gov
ernment submits for consideration
| proposal to increase the number o!
available steamers by installing ii
| passenger service reasonable mum
Der of neutral steamers under the
| American flag, the exact number tc
be agreed upon under the same con
dition as the aforementioned Amerl,
| can steamers.
''The imperial government believes
| it can assume that in this manner
adequate facilities for travel across
the Atlantic Ocean can be afforded
| American citizens. There would
therefore appear to be no compel
ing necessity for American citizens tc
travel to Europe in time of war on
ships carrying an enemy flag.
I'm particular the imperial gov
ernment is unable to admit that
| American citizens can protect ar
| enemy ship through the mere fact OF
| their presence on board.
Germany merely followed Eng
lands example when she declared
part Of the high sea an area Of war
Consequently, accidents suffered by
| neutrals on enemy ships in this area
Of war can not we'll be judged differ
emily from accidents to which neu,
trails are at all times exposed at the
seat of war OF land when they betke
| themselves into dangerous localities
in spite of previous warnings.
IF, however, it should not be pos
sible for the American government tc
acquire an adequate number of neu,
trail passenger steamers, the Imperial
government is prepared to interpose
no objections to the placing under
the American flag by the American
government of four enemy passenger
steamers for passenger traffic be,
tween North America and England
| Assurances Of free and safe passage
for American passenger steamers
| would extend to apply under the
identical pro-conditions to these for,
| merly hostile passenger steamers.
"The president of the United
States has declared his readiness, in
a way deserving of thanks, to COM
| municate and suggest proposals to
the government of Great Britain with
| no rt;cn1or roferopca t0 tho alteration