New Britain herald., 1915-07-24


 ing is the official text of the latest American note to Germany regarding submarine warfare, which was de- livered to the foreign office at Berlin yesterday by Ambassador Gerard:
 THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO
 AMBASSADORS GERARD:
 DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
 Washington, July 21, 1915 I You are instructed to deliver text ually the following note to the min ister for foreign affairs.
 The note of the imperial German government dated the Sth of July, 1915, has received the careful con sideration of the government of the United States, and it regrets to be obliged to say that it : has found k very unsatisfactory because it fails to meet the real differences between the two governments and indicates no way in which the accepted principles of law and humanity may be applied n the grave matter in controversy, ppt proposes on the contrary, arrange ments for partial suspension of those principles which virtually set them aside. .s
 Act Beyond Law.
 The government of the United States notes with satisfaction that the imperial German government recognizes without reservation the validity of the principles insisted on in the several communications which this government had addressed to the imperial German government with re- gard to it's announcement of a war zone and the use of submarines against merchantmen on the high seas the principle that the high seas are free, that the character and cargo of a merchantmen must first be ascer- | tained before she can lawfully be seized or destroyed and that the lives l of -combatants may in no case be put in jeopardy unless the vessel resists or seeks to escape after being summoned to submit to examinations; for, a belligerent act of retaliation | is per SC an act beyond the law, and l the defense of an act as retaliatory l is an admission that 1t is illegal. l Washington Disappointed. l The government of the United States is, however, keenly disap- pointed to find that the imperial German government regards itself | as in large degree exempt from the obligation to observe these principles, even when neutral vessels are con- cerned, by what it believes the policy and practice of the government of Great Britain to be in the present war l with regard to neutral commerce. The imperial German government will readily understand that the govern ment of the United States cannot dis cuss the policy of the government of Great Britain with regard to neutral trade except with that government itself and that 1t must regard the con- duct of other belligerent governments as irrelevant to any discussion with the imperial German government of what this government regards as grave and unjustifiable violations of the rights of American citizens by German naval commanders, Illegal and inhuman acts. however justifi- able they may be thought to be against all enemy who is believed to have act ed in contraventions of law and hu- manity,sare manifestly indefensible when they deprive neutrals of their acknowledged rights, particularly when they violate the right to life it. self. If belligerent cannot retaliate against anw enemy without injuring the lives of neutrals. as well as their property, humanity as well as Justice