The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-07-24
matum, though It was not 50 In .
technical diplomatic sense.
The text of the note follows:
Department Of State,


Washington, July 81. 1915.
You arc Instructed to deliver tex
tually the following note to the min
lister for foreign affairs:
ss meme % d.sss sns :ss Of 1%iy
1915. has received the careful con-
discretion OF the Fovernment Of the
very unsstisfactory. because il fails
to meet the real differences between
the two governments and indicates
no way In which the accepted prin-
applied in. the grave matter In con-
troversy, but proposes. on the con-
trary. arrangements for q partial sus-
pension OF those principles which vir-
tually set them aside.
States notes with satisfaction that
the Imperial government recognises
without reservation the validity Of
eral communications which this gov
eminent has addressed to the i'm
perial German government with re-
gard to It's announcement Of q war
:Ons and .rs II: use Of Of sGSma1inss
seas-the principle that tho high
seas are free. that the character and
cargo OF . merchantmen must first
be. ascertained before she. can law.
fully be seized or destroyed, and that
no case be put in Jeopardy unless the
vessel resists or seeks to escape after
being summoned TO submit TO exam
taliation - per sc an act beyond the
law. and the defense Of an act as re-
taliatory II an admission that II ID
The government OF the United
states Is. however. keeniy disap.
pointed to find that the imperial
German government regards Itself
az In large degree exempt from the
obligation to observe these princi.
concerned. by what II believes the
policy and practice Of the govern
ment OF Great Britain Ia In the pres
emit war with regard TO neutral COM
ment will readily understand that the
government Of the United States can
not discuss the policy Of the govern
ment OF Great Britain with regard to
eminent itself. and that il must re.
gard the conduct OF other belligerent
governments as irrelevant to any dis
cussion with the Imperial German
regards as grave and unjustihable
violations Of the rights OF American
ers.
Illegal ana inAuma, acts. seweve,
tsstiAabie they may be thought q
ne against nm enemy who IL be1leved
10 have acted In eentravention Of
law and humanity. IRE msaifestiy In
s..;. Of .,ci sen ssy Sssrsys , r::
right to life Itself. II seiiisereni
cannot rcteliate aFsinst IN e.ems
sr.: ~ . ss =: , sss live: Of
naanity. ~ well m justiec and . de-
regard for the aigrity Of neutral
powers, should dictate tAat the prse.
Il would In such circumstances con.
"tttute an unpordonabue o6enss
egainst the sovereignty Of the neu'
| ira! nation affected.
states Is not unmindfui OF the ex
traordinarys conditions created b,
this war. or OF the radical altera
lions OF circumstance and method o.
strumentaiities Of naval warfar.
which the nations Of the world can.
not have had in view when the ex-
listing rules of International Law
make. every reasonable allowance
for these novel and unexpected ms.
poets OF war at sea; but IL cannot
consent to abate any essential OF
cause Of mere alteration Of cir.
cumrtance. The rights Of neutral,
In time OF war arc based upon prin-
ciple. not upon expcdiency. and ths
IL
duty and obligation OF beiiigercnt,
to hnd a way to adapt the new cir
cumstances to them.
The events Of the past two month
have clearly Indicated that IL In pos.
sihle and practicable e conduct auel
submarine operati N have ehar
acterlsed the activity Of the tmpepta
German navy wfthIn the ao-calIeS
war some 1r substantial aceOPd witt
the accepted practices Of regulate,
warfare.
The whole world has looked will
interest and increasing satisfactio,
biiity by German naval commander
to lift the whole practice Of sub
marine attack above the criticism
which II has aroused and remove tn,
chief causes OF offense.
In view of the admission of illegal
ity made by the imperial governmen
when II pleaded the right OF retail
alton In defense of It's acts, and !,
view OF the manifest possibility O
conforming to the established rule
OF naval warfare. the government o
the United States cannot believe tina
refrain from disavowing the wanto,
act OF It's naval commander In sink
ing the Lusitania or from offerins
reparation for the American live,
lost. so far - reparation can be mad,
for . needless destruction OF human
life by an illegal act.
The government OF the United
States. while not indifferent to tn,
friendly spirit in which II Ia made
cannot accept the suggestion OF tn,
imperial German government tina