Milford chronicle., 1915-07-30
U. S. WILL UPHOLD
FREEDOM OF SEAS
Germany Warned Our Rights
Must be Respected.
NOT EXEMPT FEol LAW
Further Attacks VIII Be Regarded as
Deliberately Unfriendly," Berlin Is
Firmly Informed.

Deliberately unfriendIy," Berlin Is
Firmly Informed.
The text of the American note on
submarine warfare, presented at Ber-
lin by Ambassador Gerard, was made
public in Washington.
1t reveals that the imperial govern
ment has been informed it is the in.
tention of the United States TO re.
gard as deliberately un riendly" any
repetition by the commanders of Ger
man naval vessels of acts in contra
vention OF American rights.
The United States announces that
it will continue to contend for the
freedom Of the seas, from whatever
quarter violated, without conprc mi e
and at any cost"
In official and diplomatic quarters
the communication was received "a
the strongest and most emphatic pro
nOuncement that has come from the
| Washington government since the be-
ginning of its correspondence with
the belligerents Of Europe. President
Wilson has returned to Cornish, n. H.,
to await developments.
On the assumption that Germany has
already admitted the illegality of her
practices by attempting to justify
them as against Great Britain, the
United States in the new note eX-
presses the belief that Germany viii
no longer refrain from disavowing
the wantOn act of its naval command.
er in sinking the Lusitania or from
offering reparation for the American
lives lost so far as reparation can be
made for a needless destruction OF
human life by an Illegal act"
Referring to the German govern
ment's expression of hope in its last
note that the freedom of the seas may
be established in some measure be
fore the end of the present war, the
United States declares that this OBJ
ject can be accomplished, and invites
the practical cooperation of the i'm.
perial government. The American gov.
ernment adds, however. that it holds
itself ready at any time to act as the
common friend who may be privileged
to suggest a way" to assist in estab'
fishing the freedom of the seas.
At the outset the German note OF
Jul s is declared Every unsatisfactory, |
because it fails to meet the real diff
ferences between the two govern
ments and indicates no way in which
the accepted principles of law and
humanity may be applied in the grave
matter in controversy, but proposes,
on the contrary, arrangements for a
partial suspension of those principles
which virtually set them aside"
Contending that "the defense of an
act as retaliatory is an admission that
it is illegal" the American govern
ment then argues that it cannot dis
cuss actions of Great Britain with
Germany and must regard as circle
want" in the present negotiations the
conduct of other belligerents.
illegal and inhuman acts" says
the note, however justifable they
may be thought against an enemy who
is believed to have acted in contra
vention of law and humanity are man
ifestly indefensible when they de-
prive neutrals of their acknowledged
rights, particularly when they violate
the right of life itself"
Pointing out that a belligerent
should give up its measures of retail
iation if unable to conduct them
without injuring the lives of neu'
trails" the note declares that persist
ence in such measures under the cir
eumstances would constitute an un'
pardonable offense against the sover'
eighty of the neutral nation affected.
The United States, it is further as
serted. is mot unmindfuI of the ex-
traordinary conditions" created by
he present war and is ready to make
avery reasonable allowance for these
novel and unexpected aspects OF war
At sea" but cannot consent ito abate
,nv essential or fundamental right OF
he people because of a mere altera'
ion of circumstance"