Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1915-05-21
AMERICAN NOTE TO GERMANY
DEMANDS PREPARATION AND
NO REPETITION.
WILL PROTECT CITIZENS
Series Of Incidents Cited In Communi-
cation to Show Violation Of Amer.
ica's Rights-Note Cabled to
Ambassador Gerard.

washington. 49, The United States
government on May 10 cabled Ambas.
sador Gerard for PRESERVATION to the
herman government n note calling at
tention ITO the grave situation which
has resulted from violation OF Ameri-
a rights on the high seas, culminat-
Ing In the sinking of the Lusitania with
q loss Of more than 100 American lives.
The communication expresses the
confident expectation Of the United
States that the imperial German gov.
eminent will disavow the acts Of which
the government OF the United States
complains; that they will make repara-
tion so far as reparation is possible for
injuries which are without measure,
and that they will take immediate
steps to prevent the recurrence OF any.
thing so obviously subverse OF the
principles OF warfare for which the i'm
perial government In the past so wise
ly and Sc firmly commended"
In It's conclusion, the note states that
"the imperial German government will
not expect the government OF the Unit.
ed 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 citi-
zens and Of safeguarding their free ex-
ercise and enjoyment"
"ln view Of recent acts OF the Ger
man authorities in violation of Ameri.
can rights on the high seas, which
eliminated In the torpedoing and sink.
ing OF the British steamship L~usitania
on May 7, 1915, by which over 100
American citizens lost their lives, II is
clearly wise and desirable that the gov.
eminent of the United tSates and the
imperial German government should
come to n clear and full understanding
as TO the grave situation which has re-
suited.
The sinking Of the British passen.
ger steamer Falaba by a German sub.
marine on March 2S, through which
Leon c. Thrasher, an American citi.
zen. was drowned; the attack on April
rs on the American vessel Cushing by
a German %aeroplane: the t%orpedoing on
May ! OF the American vessel Gulf.
light by a German submarine, as a re.
suit of which two or more American
citizens met their death: and finally
the torpedoing and sinking of the
steamship Lusitania, constitute a Sc.
ries OF events which the government
Of the United States has observed
with growing concern, distress and
amazement.
Recalling the humane and enlight.
ened attitude hitherto assumed by the
imperial German government In mat.
tiers Of international right and particu.
larly with regard to the freedom OF
the seas; having learned to recognize
the German views and the German in.
fluence in the field of international OBJ.
legation as always engaged upon the
side Of justice and humanity; ana
understood the instructions of
the imperial German government It,
its naval commanders TO be upon the
same plane of humane action pre-.
scribed by the naval codes of other
nations, the government OF the United
was 10th to b%elieve-it cannot
now bring itself to believe-that these
acts, so absolutely contrary to the
rules, the practices and the spirit of
warfare, could have the coun.
.enance or sanction Of that great gov.
,rnment."
Continuing the note enters into the I
letails of the submarine warfare, and ,
axes the German government TO task /
or the Lusitania disaster. {