The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1916-05-19
PRESIDENTS REPLY
TO GERMAN NOTE
DECLARATION OF ABANDONMENT
OF FORMER SUBMARINE POLICY
ACCEPTED IN GOOD FAITH.
imperial Government 10 Notified That
the Dispute With Great Britain
Has No Bearing Upon
the Matter.

Washington. President Wilson's
reply to the German note. cabled by
Secretary Lansing to Ambassador Ger.
ard at Berlin on May 8. informs the
GeEman government that the United
States accepts it's declaration of
abandonment OF Its former submarine
policy and now relies upon a scrupu-
lous execution OF the altered policy to
remove the principal danger OF an in
terruptlon OF the good relations exist
Ing between the two countries"
With this acceptance is coupled for.
NAL notice TO Germany that the Unit.
ed States cannot for a moment enter.
tain, much less discuss, suggestion
that respect by German naval author
tiles OF the rights of citizens OF the
United States on the high seas should
in the slightest degree be made con-
tingent upon the conduct OF any other
government affecting the rights of
neutrals and noncombatants
Following II the text OF the note:
The note OF the imperial German
government under date of May /, 1915,
has received careful consideration by
the government of the United States.
II Is especially noted, as indicating the
purpose OF the imperial government as
TO the future, that II Is prepared to
do It's utmost TO contine the operation
Of the war for the rest of its duration
20 the fighting forces OF the belliger.
ents, and that II 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 gov.
eminent 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 It's patient efforts to
bring TO nm amIcable settlement the
critical questions arising from that
policy. Accepting the imperial gov.
ernment's declaration OF It's abandon
ment OF the policy which has so serl-
ously menRced the good relations be.
tween the two countries. the govern.
ment OF the United States will rely
upon serupulous execution hence.
forth OF tho now altered policy of the
imperial government such as will re-
move the principal danger 10 an In.
terruption Of the good relations exist
ing between the United States and
Germany.
The government of the United
States feels II necessary to state that
Il takes 1t for granted that the i'm.
perial government does not intend TO
imply that the maintenance of It's
newly announced policy Is In any
way contingent upon the course or re-
suit OF diplomatic negotiations be-
tween the government OF the United
States and any other belllgerent gov
eminent, Notwithstanding the fact that
certain passages in the imperial gov
ernmentis note OF tho fourth instant
might appear 20 be susceptible OF that
construction, In order. however, to
avoid any possible misunderstanding
the government of the United States
notihes the imperial government that
u cannot for momen, entertain. much
less discuss. suggestion that respect
by German naval authorities for the
rights OF citizens OF the United Sta .es
upon the high seas should in any way
or slightest degree be made eontln.
gent upon the conduct OF any other
government affecting the rights of
neu rails and noncombatants Respon-
tibility In such matters Ia single. not
Joint, absolute, not relative"