The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-07-28
new NOTE IS EMPHATIC,
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS THINK
PRESENTATION OF AMERI.
CAN CASE VERY
STRONG.
Points Out Possibility Of Waging Sub
marine Warfare Without Undue
Menace to Neutral Rights-Wilson
Returns to Cornish.

Washington, July 23.-The Ameri-
can note on submarine wrafare pre-
sented at Berlin today by Ambassador
Gerard was made public here tonight.
1t reveals that Germany has been in
formed it is the intention of the
United States to regard as "deliber-
ately unfriendly' any repetition by
German naval commanders of acts
The United States announces it will
continue to contend for the freedom
Of the seas, from whatever quarter
violated, without compromise and at
any cost"
In official and diplomatic quarters
the communication was viewed as the,
strongest and most emphatic pro-
nouncement by the Washington gov
ernment since the beginning Of its
correspondence with the European
belligerents.
President Wilson returned to Cor
nfsh, N. H., tonight.
On the assumption that Germany
already has admitted the illegality Of
her practices by attempting to justify
them as retaliatory moves against
Great Britain, the United States ex-
presses the belief that Germany no
longer will refrain from disavowins
a o<
mander in sinking the Lusitania or
from offering reparation for the
American lives lost, SO far as repara-
tion can be made for a needless de.
struction Of human life by an illegal
tact." .: -:
Referring to the German expression
OF hope in its last note that the free.
dom Of the seas may be established
In some measure before the end Of
the war the United States declares
this object can be accomplished and
invites the practical cooperation of
Germany. The American government
adds, moreover. that it holds itself
ready at any time to act as the COM
mon friend who may be privileged
to suggest a way" to assist in estab-
fishing the freedom of the seas.
The German note of July 8 is de-
clared very unsatisfactory because
1t fails to meet the real differences
between the two governments and in.
dicates no way in which the accepted
principles of law and humanity may
be applied in the grave matter in
controversy but proposes on the con-
trary arrangements for a partial lsus-
pension of those principles which vir-
tually set them aside" ..T".s
Contending that the defense OF an
act as retaliatory is an admission that
1t is Illegal" the United States then
argues that it can not discuss actions
of Great Britain with Germany and it
regards as irrelevant" in the present
negotiations mention Of the conduct
Of other belligerents.
illegal and inhuman acts" saws
the note. however justifiiable thew
may be thought against an enemy
who is believed to have acted I'm con-
prevention Of law and humanity, are
manifestly indefensible when they
deprive neutrals of their acknowledg-
ed rights. particularly when they-vio-
late the right of life ITSELF"
Pointing out that belligerent
should give up its retaliatory mea-
sures If unable to conduct them with
out injuring the lives of neutrals."
the note declares that persistence I'm
such measures under the circum-
stances would constitute an unpar-
donable offense against the sovereign
ty of the neutral nation affected.
The United States, it is asserted
further. "is not unmindful Of the ex-
traordinary conditions" brought about
by the present war, and is ready to
make every reasonable allowance for
these novel and unexpected aspects of
war at sea, but can not consent "to
abate any essential or fundamental
right of its people because Of a mere
alteration of circumstances"
The note says that events OF the
last two months clearly indicate that
it is possible and practical to con-
duct submarine operations in SUBJ
stantial accord with the accepted
practices Of regulated warfare"
The comment is added that the
whole world has looked with interest
and increasing satisfaction" at the
demonstration Of that fact by German
naval commanders. and that il is
'manifestly possible to lift the whole
practice of submarine attack above
the criticism which it has aroused and
remove the chief cause nj. offanSan