Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-05-12
American Attitude IS
Made Clear.
GERMANY IS ON TRIAL
Document Is Courteous, but
Firm and Definite.

Washington, May 9.-PreSident VIII.
son has put Germany on trial
In the text of the American reply
to the most recent German note on
subsea warfare the imperial govern
ment is told the United States relies
upon Germany to keep it's promises to
alter the methods of submarine war
fare.
Scrupulous execution of it's changed
policy. the note says, will remove the
danger of an interruption of the good
relations existing between Germany
and the United States.
At the same time the note rejects
the proposal that the United States
regard this abandonment as condition
al upon Great Britain's action with
respect to the blockade
The note is courteous in tone, but
firm and definite in substance.
| 1t is intended to remove all doubt
| of the imperial government as to the
position the United States has taken.
Secretary Of State Lansing issued
the following statement explaining
why the United States cannot dis
cuss matters pertaining to the rela-
tions between this government and
Great Britain with the imperial gov
eminent
Lansing Explains Position.
''The greater part of the German
answer is devoted to matters which
this government cannot discuss with
the German government.
"The only questions of right which
can be discussed with that govern
ment are those arising out Of it's &C.
ton or out of our own and in no event
those questions which are the subject
Of diplomatic exchanges between the
United States and any other country.
The essence of the answer is that
Germany yields to our representations
with regard to the rights of merchant
ships and noncombatants on the high
seas and engages to observe the rec
osnized rules of International law gov.
erning naval warfare in using her sub.
marines against merchant ships.
$50 long as she lives up to this al
SOASV POhSy VIC SoA AOVO uo lSoSOA W
quarrel with her on that score, though |
the losses resulting from the violation
Of American rights by German sub |
marine commanders operating under |
the former policy will have to be set
tied.
Treaty Covers British Case.
"While our differences with Great
Britain cannot form a subject of dis
cussion with Germany it should be
stated that in our dealings with the
British government we are acting as
we are unquestionably bound to act in
view Of the explicit treaty engage
ments with that government.
ave have treaty obligations as to
the manner in which matters in dis
pute between the two governments
are to be handled.
"We offered to assume mutually
similar obligations with Germany, but
the offer was declined.
when, however, the subject in dis
pute is continuing menace to Amer
lean lives it is doubtful whether such
apply unless the menace is
removed during the tendency of the
/,
Secretary Lansing's statement re-
fers for the first time in. the subma-
rine negotiations to the Bryan peace
treaties
Following is the text of the note
cabled by Secretary Lansing to Am
bassador Gerard at Berlin with in
to deliver 1t to the German
minister of foreign affairs:
Complete Text of Note. $
"The note of the imperial German
government under date of May 4. 1916, |
has received careful consideration by
the government of the United States.
1T is especially noted as indicating
the purpose of the imperial govern
ment as to the future, that it is pre-
operation of the war for the rest OF
is duration to the fighting forces of +
he be!ligerents, and that it is de- .
to impose upon all it's COM 3
at sea the limitations of the j.,
rules of international law p
1pon which the government of the q
United States has insisted c
Throughout the months which have .
elapsed since the imperial government q
announced On Feb 4. 1915. its subma- h
inc policy. now happily abandoned. r
he government of the United States
las been constantly guided and re- I
strained by motives of friendship in
Is patient efforts to bring to an amic- :.
Ible settlement the critica! questions
lrising from that policy.
Places Reliance in Germany.
Accepting the imperial govern I.
nent's declaration OF its abandonment. 8
y the policy which has so seriously /,
the good relations between i;