The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-05-21

lDer6 Was Recently puhiioiNN
the newspaper of the United States
regret to inform the imperial Ger
man government, a formal Wafhiiis'
%purporting to come from the Imperial
German embassy at Washington ao-
dressed to the people Of the Unlted
States and stating in effect tina any
citizen Of the United States VINO eA
ercised his right of free travel upon
the high seas would do sc at HIS
peril if his journey should take nm
within the zone Of waters WltAlh
which the imperial German navy was
using submarines against the com
merce of Great Britain and France
Notwithstanding the respectful. but
very earnest, protest Of the govern
1nent of the United States.
"surprising lrresuIarity" of Embassy
~ do not refer to this for the pur-
pose of calling attention Of the i'm
perial German government at this
time to the surprising irregularity OF
a communication from the imperial
German embassy at Washington all
dressed to the people Of the United
State through the newspapers, but
only for the purpose Of pointing out
that no warning that an unlawful and
inhumane act would be committed
a possibly be accepted as ar excuse
or palliation OF hat act or as an
abatement OF the responsibility for Its
commitment.
Long acquainted as this govern
ment has been, with the character Of
the imperial German government and
with the high principles Of equity by
which in the past they have been &C.
tuated and guided, the government Of
the United States cannot believe the
commanders of the vessels which
committed these acts Of lawlessness
did so except under a misapprehnn-
sion of the orders issued by the i'm
perial German naval authorities. 1t
takes it for granted that, at least
within the practical possibilities Of
every such case, the commanders
even Of submarines were expected to
do nothing that would involve the
lies OF noncOmbatants or the safety
OF neutral ships even at the cost of
failing of their object Of capture or
destruction. It confidently expects,
therefore, that the imperial German
will disavow the acts Of
which the government AZ the limited.
St1ses CONFERENCE.-THE HsSy Wifis
nsaksaTepaF6saon u f1r u reparatioH
is possible for injuries which are
without measure and that they will
take immediate steps to prevent the
l occurrence of anything so obviously
subversive of the principles Of war
fare for which the imperial German
government in the past have so wisely
and so firmly contended.
Expects Prompt Action.
THE government and people OF
the United States look to the imperial
German government for just, prompt
and enlightened action in this vital
matter with the greater confidence
because the United States AMI Ger
many are bound together not only by
special ties Of friendship, but also by
the explicit s%tipulations Of the treaty
of 1928 between the United States
and the kingdom of Prussia.
Expressions of regret and offers OF
in case Of the destruction
Of neutral ships sunk by mistake.
while they may satisfy international
obligations if no loss Of life results,
cannot justify or excuse a practice,
the natural and necessary effect OF
which is to subject neutral nations
and neutral persons to new and i'll.
measurable risks.
"The imperial German government
Will not expect the government CT
the United States to omit any word or
any act necessary to the performance
Of its sacred duty Of maintaining the
rights of the United States and its
free exercise and enjoyment.
"Prvan -