The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-04-28
NOTE THREATENS
BREAK IF SUBSEA
WAR CONTINUES
President Demands Germany
Stop Attacks by U-BoatS.
SUSSEX FACTS ARE RECITED
Berlin Told That Unless Present METH
DDS of Submarine Warfare Are
Abandoned u. S. Will Sever
Diplomatic Relations.

Washington, April 20.-The United
States note to Germany, demanding an
immediate cessation of submarine at
tacks on unarmed passenger anu
freight vessels, given out by the state
department simultaneously with It's re-
ceipt in Berlin, is regarded generaliy
in the nature of an ultlmatum, al
though not designated technically as
such by the state department Inc
note demands that the German govern
ment Immediately declare and enect
an abandonment of it's present meth,
DDS of submarine warfare.
Sussex Sunk Without Warning.
The note first takes up the sussex
case and declares that careful lnves-
tigation by naval and military ofhcers
of the United States has conclusive
ly established the fact that the sussex
was torpedoed without warning OF
summons to surrender and that the
torpedo by which she was struck was
Of German manufacture.
These facts from the first, 1t is de-
clared. made the conclusion that the
torpedo was fired by German sub
marine unavoidable.
Sussex Not Isolated Case.
The note states that if the sinking
| of the Sussex had been an isolated
one, the United States might hope that
the officer who was responsible for the
act had violated his orders or been
criminally negligent and that the ends
Of justice might be satisfied by impos-
ing upon him an adequate punishment,
coupled with a formal disavowal or
the act and payment of suitable IN
demnity by the imperial government.
1t is asserted, however. that this is
only one instance of the ruthless de-
struction that has marked the subma'
rine warfare. 1t is pointed out that
when the imperial government first an
nounced its intention Of inaugurating
the submarine campaign against enemy
ships. the United States protested, be-
lieving that it would be impossible to
conduct such a warfare without en-
dangering the lives of noncombatants
at sea, and that this opinion has been
borne out by subsequent events
Germany Persists in Its Policy.
1t is asserted that again and again
the imperial government has given 1t!
solemn assurances to the government
of the United States that at least pas
senger ships would not be thus deal
with and yet 1t has repeatedly permit
, ted its undersea commanders to disre
!, gard these assurances with entire i'm
, pCnity.
Great liners like the Lusitania ant
Arabic and mere passenger boats like
the Sussex, it is declared, have beer
attacked without a moments warning
and the lives of noncombatants, pas
sengers and crew have been destroyed
in a manner which the government o
the United States cannot but regar
as "wanton and without the slightes
: color of justification"
. Says Time Has Come for Action.
The note points out that the Unite
States has been very patient. but a!
= serts that the time now has come whe
{ the facts are susceptible of only on
Interpretation. 1t has become pail
y fully evident, it is declared. that tn
use OF submarines for the destructio
of an enemy's commerce, because {
the character of the vessels employees
s. is incompatible with the principles {
e humanity, the long-established and ii
u controvertible rights Of neutrals an
1t the sacred immunities of noncomba
W ants. In view of these facts. it is
s clared. the United States governmel
finds but one course it can pursue.
Is Only One Course to Pursue.
u Unless the imperial goveTnmel
should now Immediately declare ar
10 effect an abandonment Of it's prese
5 methods of submarine warfare again
10 passenger and freight carrying We
soils" the note concludes. ''the cover
ment of the United States can have
E choice but to sever diplomatic rel
tions with the German empire alt
%. eether. This action the government
the United States contemplates wi
the greatest reluctance, but feels CO
strained to take in behalf Of humani
va ond the rights of neutral nations"
nix