The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-24

1915. has received the careful con.
slderation OF the government Of the
United States. and II regrets To be
Obliged TO say that II has found Il
very unsatisfactory. because IL fails
to meet the real differences between
the two governments and indicates
no way In which the accepted prin.
clples OF Law and humanity may be
applied in the grave matter In con
troyersy. but proposes. on the con.
trary. arrangements for partial
suspension OF those principles which
virtually set them aside.
Sea Freedom Recognized.
The government of the United
States notes with satisfaction that
the imperial German government
recognizes without reservation the
validity OF principles insisted on In
the several communications which
this government has addressed to
the imperial German government
with regard To Its announcement OF
war zone and the use OF submar
ines against merchantmen on the
high seas-the principle that the
high seas are free. that the char
acter and cargo OF n merchantmen
must first be ascertained before she
can lawfully be seized or destroyed.
and that the lives OF noncombaiants
may in no case be put in jeopardy
unless the vessel resists or seeks
TO escape after being summoned to
submit TO examination: for n belllg.
erent act OF retaliation is per sc an
act beyond the law. and the de-
Tense of an act az retaliatory Ia an
admission that Il is Illegal.
inhuman Acts IndefensIbIe.
The government OF the United
States Is. however. keeniy disap-
pointed to find that the imperial
German government regards itself
as In large degree exempt from the
obligation to observe these princi.
pies. even where neutral vessels are
concerned. by what II believes the
policy and practice OF the govern
ment of Great Britain 10 be Ia the
present war with regard to neutral
commerce.
The imperial German government
will readily understand that the
government of the United States
cannot discuss the policy OF the gov
eminent of Great Britain with re-
gard TO neutral trade except with
that government itself. and that IL
must regard the conduct OF other
belligerent governments as irrele-
want to any discussion with the inn
perial German government OF what
this government regards as grave
and unIustifiabIe violations OF the
rights OF American citizens by Ger
man naval commanders.
Illegal and inhuman acts. how
ever justifiable they may be thought
to be against an enemy who Is be-
lieved to have acted in contraven-
ton OF law and humanity. are mani
testify indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals OF their acknowledged
rights. particularly when they vio-
late the right 10 life itself.
II beliigerent cannot retaliate
against an enemy without inturing
the lives Of neutrals. AZ well as
their property. humanity. as well az
/ Justice and a due regard for the
/ dignity OF neutral powers, should
dictate that the practice be discon.
| tinued.
II persisted In II would In such
circumstances constitute an un.
pardonable offense against the SOY.
ereignty Of the neutral nation sf.
/ fected
Humane Conduct Feasible.
The events OF the past two
months have clearly indicated that
II IL possible and practicable to con.
duct such submarine operations ms
have characterized the activity OF
J the imperial German navy within
/ the so-called war zone in substan.
tial accord with the accepted prac'
+ tlces of regulated warfare.
The whole world has looked with
interest and increasing satisfaction
at the demonstration of that pos
sIbility by German naval command.
ers. II IL manlfestly possible. there
fore, TO lift the whole practice OF
submarine attack above the crlti-
cism which II has aroused and re-
move the chief causes OF offense.
In view Of the admission OF illegal.
ity made by the imperial govern
ment when II pleaded the right of