The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-05-11
BREAK
IF GERMANS FAIL
PRESIDENTS NEW NOTE WARNS
BERLIN GOVERNMENT.
MUST OBSERVE SEA POLICY
Wilson Accepts Pledge Of Lawful Sub
sea Warfare, but Rejects Condi-
tions Demanding Intercession
With Britain on Blockade.

Washington, May 9.--President Will
son in a formal note dispatched to
Berlin has accepted as meeting his de-
mand the announced change in Ger
many's submarine policy.
Coupled with this acceptance is a
yelled threat that diplomatic relations
will be severed unless the new orders
Issued by the German admiralty are
scrupulously observed.
Spurns German Plan.
The president further notifies Ger
many that this government will not
for a moment entertain, much less dis
cuss, the suggestion that respect by
German naval authorities for Amer
lean rights upon the high seas should
''in any way or in the slightest de-
gree" be made contingent upon the
conduct of any other government af
fecting the rights of neutrals and non
combatants.
The presidents reply absolutely
commits the United States to a rup-
ture Of diplomatic relations should
German commanders exceed the linn
itations of the recognized rules of in
ternat.onal law admitted and declared
by their government.
Would Dismiss Envoy.
In other words, should a German
submarine fail to observe the rule OF
visit and search in the case of
vessel having American citizens on
board and should destroy the ship
without warning. the president will be
forced, after establishing the facts, to
dismiss Count Won Bernstorff. the
German ambassador, and recall Am
bassador Gerard; this without further
parley with the Berlin authorities.
Text Of Note to Germany.
Washington. May 9.-Following is
the text Of the reply OF the United
States to the latest German assurances
regarding the conduct of submarine
warfare:
The American ambassador in Ber-
lin has been instructed today by tele-
graph to deliver the following note to
the German minister of foreign az
fairs:
The note of the German imperial
government under date Of May 4, 1916,
has received careful consideration by
the government of the United States,
It IS especially noted, as Indicating the
purpose of the imperial government as
to the future, that it is prepared to
do It's utmost to COnfine the operations
Of the war for the rest of its duration
to the fighting forces Of the belIiger-
ents," and that it is determined to i'm
pose upon all its commanders at sea
the limitations Of the recognized rules
of international law upon which the
government Of the United States has
insisted. Throughout the months
which have elapsed since the imperial
government announced on February
4, 1915, its submarine policy, now hap
PLY abandoned, the government of the
United States has been constantly
guided and restrained by motives of
friendship in its patient efforts to
bring to an amicable settlement the
critical questions arising from that pol.
Icy. Accepting the imperial govern.
ments declaration of its abandonment
OF the policy which has so seriously
menaced the good relations between
the two countries, the government of
the United States will rely upon a
scrupulous execution henceforth of the |
now altered policy of the imperial gov
eminent, such as will remove the prin- !
cipal danger to an interruption Of the !,
good relations existing between the !
United States and Germany.
The government of the United |
United States feels it necessary to |
state that it takes for granted that the |
imperial government does not intend !
to imply that the maintenance of its
newly announced policy is in any way ,
upon the course or result .
Of diplomatic negotiations between the |
government of the United States and !
any other belligerent government. not
the fact that certain pas
sages in the imperial governments
note of the 4th instant might appear
to be susceptible of that construction.
In order, however, to avoid any DOS.
sible Misunderstanding, the govern
ment of the United States notifies the
Imperial government that it cannot for
a moment entertain, much less dis.
cuss. a suggestion that respect by
German naval authorities for the
rights of citizens of the United States
upon the high seas should in any way
Or in the slightest degree be made h
upon the conduct of any
other government affecting the rights
Of neutral and noncombatants. Re,
sponsibility in such matters is single,
not joint; absolute, not relative.