The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-05-05
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. 6. Will Sever
Diplomatic Relations.

WaShin gtOn, April ZU.-1ne Oulleu
States note to Germany, demanding an
immediate cessation OF submarine at
tacks on unarmed passenger and
freight vessels, given out by the state
department simultaneously with its re-
ceipt in Berlin, is regarded generally
in the nature of an ultimatum. al
though not designated technically as
such by the state department. Inc
note demands that the German govern
ment Immediately declare and effect
an abandonment OF its present meth
DDS Of submarine warfare.
Sussex Sunk Without Warning.
The note first takes UP the Sussex
case and declares that a careful inves-
tigation by naval and military officers
Of the United States has conclusive
ly established the fact that the Sussex
was torpedoed without warning or
summons to surrender and that the
torpedo by which she was struck was
of German manufacture"
These facts from the first it is de-
clared, made the conclusion that the
torpedo was fired by a 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
-, hot ha
of justice might be satisfied by impos-
ing upon him an adequate punishment,
coupled with a formal disavowal OF
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 it's 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 it's
solemn assurances to the government
of the United States that at least pas
senger ships would not be thus dealt
with and yet 1t has repeatedly permit
| ID &c n n
gard these assurances with entire I'm
punity.
Great liners like the Lusitania and
Arabic and mere passenger boats like
the Sussex, 1t is declared, have been
attacked without a moments warning
and the lives of norcombatants, pas.
sengers and crew have been destroyed
in a manner which the government OF
the United States cannot but regard
as "wanton and without the slightest
color of justification"
Says Time Has Come for Action.
The note points out that the United
States has been very patient, but as
serts that the time now has come wher
the facts are susceptible of only one
Interpretation. Il has become pain
fully evident. it is declared, that the
use of submarines for the destruction
of an enemy's commerce, because o.
the character of the vessels employed
is incompatible with the principles o.
humanity, the ong-established and in
controvertible rights of neutrals anc
the sacred immunities Of noncombat
ants. In view of these facts. it is de
clared. the United States government
finds but one course it can pursue.
Only One Course to Pursue.
Unless the imperial government
should now Immediately declare ant
effect an abandonment Of its presen
methods of submarine warfare agains
passenger and freight carrying yes
sells" the note concludes, the govern
ment of the United States can have n,
choice but to sever diplomatic rela
tions with the German empire alto
eether. This action the government o
the United States contemplates Will
the greatest reluctance. but feels con
strained to take in behalf Of humanit,
and the rights of neutral nations"