Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-09

Washington, May 8. Following is the text of the note cabled today by Secretary Lansing to Ambassador Ger liver it to the German minister of foreign affairs:
 ''The note of the imperial German government under date of May 4, 1916, has received careful considera- tion by the government of the United States. It is especially noted, as in- dicating the purpose of the Imperial government as to the future, that it is prepared to do its utmost to con- fine the operation of the war for the rest of its duration to the fighting forces of the belligerents and that it IS determined to Impose upon all its commanders at sea the limitations of the recognized rules of international law Gpcn which the government of the United States has insisted.
 Guided by Motives of Friendship.
 Throughout the months which have elapsed since the imperial gov ernment announced on February 4, 1915. it's submarine policy, now hap United States has been constantly guided and restrained by motives of friendship in it's patient efforts to bring to an amicable settlement the critical questions arising from that policy.
 Will Rely Upon sepupuIeus- Execution
 Accepting the imperial governments declaration of it's abandonment of the policy which has so seriously menaced the good relations between the two countries, the government of the Uni ted States will rely upon scrupulous execution henceforth of the now alt cred policy of the imperial govern ment such as will remove the principal danger to an Interruption of the good relations existing between the United States and Germany.
 Not Contingent Uoon other Diplomatic
 Negotiations.
 The government of the United States feels it necessary to state that h takes it for granted that the imperial German government does not intend to imply that the maintenance of its newly announced policy is in any way contingent upon the course or result of diplomatic negotiations between the government of the United States and any other belligerent government, not withstanding the fact that certain passages in the imperial governments note of the fourth instant might ap- pear to be susceptible of that con- structi2n. Tn order, however, tc avoid any possible misunderstanding the government of the United States notifies the imperial government that it cannot for a moment entertain much less discuss a suggestion that respect by German naval authorities for the rights of citizens of the Uni ted States upon the high seas should 1r any way or in the slightest degree be made contingent upon the conduct o1 any other government affecting the rights. of neutrals and non -combatants Responsibility in such matters is sim | gle. not joint, absolute, not relative.
 Statement by Secretary Lansing. MT. Lansing's statement made public after the note was on it's way to Berlin 1 follows:
 'The greater part of the German answer is devoted to matters which | this government cannot wiScuss witk the German government. The only
 questions of right which can be dis
 cussed with that government are those | arising out of it's action or out of ou1 1 own, and in no event those questions
 which are the subject of diplomatic | exchanges between the United States | and any other country.
 l 'TThe essence of the answer is that | Germany yields to our representation: l in regard to the rights of merchant l ships and non- -combatants on the hig1 | seas and engages to observe the recog.
 nized rules of international law gov l erning naval warfare in using her sub, marines against merchant ships. SS | long as she lives up to this altereC policy we can have no reason to Quar. | rel with her on that score, though thu | losses resulting from the violation O | American rights by German submarine
 commanders operating under the for 1 mer policy will have to be settled. 1 While our difficulties with Grea | Britain cannot form a subject of dis | cussion with Germany, it should b, l stated that in our dealings with tn, 1 British government we are acting al | we are unquestionably bound to ac
 in view of the explicit treaty engage
 ments with that government. We hay, l treaty obligations as to the manner il
 which matters in dispute between tn, l two governments are to be handled 1 We offered to assume mutually similal | obligations with Germany, but the of fer was declined. When, however, tn 1 subject in dispute is continuins menace to American lives it is doubt ! full whether such obligations apply un, ] less the menace is removed during tn | pendency of the proceedings"
 | The treaty with the British govern | ment referred to is the convention ne ] gotiated by former Secretary Bryan l under which the two nations agree tha
 any dispute arising shall be submitted | to an Investigating commission for ont year before entering into hostilities An offer to enter into such a treaty
 for Germany brought a request for in. l formation, but formal negotiation. never were instituted
 The hope that the note might enC
 the discussion regarding the conduct