Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1916-05-11
u. s. CABLES ACCEPTANCE
OF Of GERMAN REPLY TO NOTE

Iioh. Iii OTueT however, 10 aVOlu any
possible Misunderstanding the govern
ment of the United States notifies the
Imperial Government that it can not
for moment entertain, much less dis
cuss. suggestion that respect by Ger
man naval authorities for the rights
of citizens of the United States upon
the high seas should in any way or in
the slightest degree be made contin-
gent upon the conduct of any other
government affecting the rights OF
neutrals and non-combatants. Respon-
sibility in such matters is single, not
joint; absolute. not relative"
Secretary Lansing's Statement.
Mr.. Lansing's statement made pub
lie after the note was on it's way to
Berlin. follows;
The greater part OF the German
answer is devoted to matters which
this government can not discuss with
the German Government. The Cniy
questions of right which can be dis
cussed with that government are those
arising out of its action or out of our
own. and in no event those questions
which are the subject Of diplomatic
tACHduRtS between the UnlJeO states
and any other country.
Essence of Her Answer.
The essence of the answer is that
Germany yields to our representations
with regard TO the rights OF merchant
ships and non-Combatants on the high
seas and engages to observe the rec
ognized rules OF international rules
governing naval warfare in using her
submarines against merchant ships.
Losses Will Have to be Settled.
so long as she lives up to this
altered policy we can have no reason
to quarrel with her on that score.
though the losses resulting from the
violation of American rights by Ger
man submarine commanders operat.
ing under the former policy will have
to be settled.
Germany Declined a Treaty.
while our differences with Great
Britain can not form a subject OF dis
cussion with Germany it should be
stated that in our dealings with the
British Government we are acting as
we are unquestionably bound to act
in view OF the explicit treaty engage.
ments with that government. We
have treaty obligations as to the man
ner iii which matters in dispute be-
tween the two governments are to
be handled. We offered to assume
mutually similar obligations with Ger
many. but the offer was declined
When, however. the subject in dispute
is continuing menace To American
lives it is doubtful whether such obi.
cations apply unless the menace is
removed during the pendency OF the
proceedings"
Treaty of Arbitration.
The treaty with the British Gov.
ernment referred to is the convention
negotiated by former Secretary Bryan
under which the two nations agree
that any dispute arising shall be sub
mitted to an investigating commission
for one year before entering into hos
tilities.
An offer to enter into such a treaty
for Germany brought request for in.
formation but formal negotiations
never were instituted.
The hope that the note might end
the discussion regarding the conduct
OF submarine warfare was entertained
by some officials and by persons In
close touch with affairs at the German
embassy. Should this prove true the
way would be cleared for renewal OF
negotiations for settlement of this
Lusitania, Arabic, Sussex and other
cases growing out OF illegal submarine
attacks. In other official quarters
however, there apparently was uncer-
/ fol, ~. Ii. -
note might have A new crisis, il was
pointed out. would arise should Ger
many make a rejonder to the com
muniCation and insist that it's new pol
icy Is contingent upon the United
| States making certain demands upon
| Great Britain.