The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-13

A copy OF the note sent by Secretary
Lansing on January IS to be delivered
by the American Ambassadors to the
European belligeren,s in connection with
the recognition OF submarines az conn
merce destroyers and the STABILITY OF
the disarmament OF merchant vessels
follows:
ut is n matter OF the deepest interest
to my Government to bring to an end IL
possible the daiscrs Of life when al
tend the use of submarines as at present
employed in destroying enemy com
merce on the nigh saas. since on any
,nechant vessel Of bclligerent nation.
atty there may be citizens OF the United
states. who ha,S taken passage, or
emben Of the crew in the exercise or
their recosnizcd rights as neutrsis.
81 assume your Government is equally
soljcltous to protect their nationals from
the exceptional hazards which are pre-
scented by their passage on merchant
yesreIs through those portions of the
high seas IN which unierSea craft OF
their enemy are operating.
Will am fully alive to the APP
pa,ling loss If life among non-com-
batanis, regardless Of age or sex, when
has resulted from the present method
ot destroying merchant vessels without
removing the persons on board 10 places
or safety. and while 7 view that prac-
tice AZ contrary TO those humane
principles which should control bel
ligerents in the conduct or their ha''l
operations. I 10 not feel that n hellleet'tt
should be deprived OF the proper Use OF
submarines I'm the invasion OF commerce.
since those Instruments Of war nave
proyed their effectiveness in tins prar-
teal branch OF warfare ou the hig
seas.
an order 20 bri1g submarine war
fare within the general rules or inter'
national Law and the principles or hi-
manity without destroying their er-
fciency In the destruction OF ON
merce, I believe that a formula may De
found which, though IT may require
slight modification OF the precedent
generally followed by nations prior 70
the employment of submarines. Will APP
peal to the sense OF justice and fairness
OF all the belligerents in the present
war
Your Government will understand
that In seeking the formula or rule oil
this nature ! approach 1t or necessary
from the point OF view OF a neutral. pu'
believe thai It will he equally EN-
cacious in preserving the lives OF non
conOatants on merchant Nessels "' pe''
llgerout nationalitics.
MY on this subject art
Incdicated ON the following proposi'
lions:
Il. \ non-combatant has a right 20
traverse the high seas in a merchant
vessel entitled TO fy = helligercn'
flag. 10 rely upon Ia" observance ~
tn. rules OF International law and
principles % humanity. and II the ves-
sci j. approached by a naval vessel
~ another belligercnt the merchant
vessel of enemy nationality should
mo-, he attacked without being or
dered 10 stop.
- Al enemy merchant vessel when
ordered 10 do 80 10y a helliger.n: uh-
marine should Immediately stop.
80. such vessel should not he at
tackled after heinz ordered to stop I'M
less Il attempts 20 flee or Ia r"sis'.
In case u ceases 20 flee or resist the
attack should be discontinued
- IN the event that 1t = impossible
10 place u prize crew on board 90 ar
enemy merchant vessel, or t" ON
Wy I into port, he l.S~-. may 10"
sunk. provided tn" c"ew and pa--
sengers have been removed 20 a place
Of safety.
IN complying with the foregoing pin
ciple>, which. IN my opinion, emholy tn,
principal rule, the STRICT Observance q
which Will insure IN. lii. OF "a nou-com