The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1915-07-31

other belligervnt governments ~ In
relevant to any discussion with the
imperial German government OF what
this government regards ~ grave and
uniustinahle violations OF the rights Of
American citisens by German naval
commander
4iIlspal and lnhuman aets. howsvsr
Justinsbls they may b thought TO be
| against IN enemy who 10 believed TO
have acted In eontravention OF law
and humanity. are manifestly indie
fsnslbls when they deprive nsutraIs Of
their acknowledged rights, particular
ly when they violate the right to life
Itself. u . bsilIgsrsnt cannot rstaiIate
against an enemy without injurlng the
lives Of neutrais, a. we'll as their prop
evty, humanity, ~ we'll ~ justice and
due regard for the dignity Of neutral
powers, should dictate that the prae-
tIce be discontinued. II persisted In u
would In such circumstances constl-
tute an objectionable offense against
the sovereignty Of tho neutral nation
affected.
Recognizes Changed Conditions.
THE government Of the United
States Is not unmindful OF the ex-
traordinary conditions created by this
war or Of the radical alterations OF
circumstances and method OF attack
produced by the use of instrumentali-
ties of naval warfare which the ma
lions OF the world cannot have had In
view when the existing rules of inter
national law we're formulated and It
is ready to make every reasonable al
lowance for these novel and unexpect-
ed aspects Of war at sea; but 1t can
not consent to abate any essential or
fundamental right of its people be-
cause Of mere alteration Of circum-
stances. The rights of neutrals In
time of war are based upon principle.
not upon expediency. and the prin.
ciples are immutable. 1t Is the duty
and obligation OF belligerents to find
way to adapt the new circumstances
to them.
THE events OF the past two months
have clearly indicated that 1t Is pos
sible and practicable to conduct such
submarine operations as have char
acterized the activity Of the imperial
German navy within the so-called war
zone In substantial accord with the &C
cepted practices of regulated warfare.
The whole world has looked with in
terest and increasing satisfaction at
the demonstration of that possibility
by German naval commanders. 1t is
manifestly possible. therefore, to lift
the whole practice Of submarine at.
tack above the criticism which 1t has
aroused and remove the chief causes
of offense.
ain view Of tho admission Of illegal
Ity made by the imperial German gov
eminent when Il pleaded the right Of
retaliation In defense Of lite acts and
In View Of the manifest possibility Of
conforming to the established rules of
naval warfare, the government Of the
United States cannot believe that the
imperial government will longer re-
fraIn from dIsavowIng the wanton act
Of lts naval commander In sinking the
LusitanIa or from offering reparation
for the American lives lost, 90 far az
reparation can be made for a needless
destruction Of human life by an illegal
act.
Cannot Accept Suggestion.
THE government of the United
States, while not Indifferent to the
friendly spirit in which 1t is made,
cannot accept the suggestion of the
imperial German government that GER
tain vessels be designated and agreed
upon which shall be free on the seas
now illegally prescribed. The very
agreement would, by implication. sub
ject other vessels to illegal attack and
would be curtailment and therefore
an abandonment of the principles for
which this government contends and
which in times of calmer counsels
every nation would concede as Of
course.
"The government Of the United
States and the imperial German gov.
eminent are contendlng for the same
great object, have long stood together,
In urging the very principles upon
which the government Of the United
States now 80 soIemnly insists. They
are both contendIng for the freedom
Of the seas. The government Of the
United States will continue to contend
for that freedom, from whatever quar-.
ter violated, without compromise and
at any cost. II Invites the practical
cooperation Of the imperial German
government at this time when coop
Grafton may accomplish most and this
great common object be most striking
Iy and effectively achieved.
| object Can Be Accomplished.
"The imperial German government
expresses the hope, that this object
may be In some measure accomplished
even before the present war ends. II
can be. The government of the United
States not only feels obliged to insist
upon 1t, by whomsoever violated OF
ignored. in the protection OF its owr
citisens. but Is also deeply interested
in seeing II made practicable between
the belligerents themselves, and holdl
itself ready at any time to act as tn,
common friend who may be privileged
to suggest way.
ain the meantime the very xnlu,