AMERICA AND GERMANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8201, 26 July 1915, Page 6

AMERICA AND GERMANY.

AMERICAN NOTE TO GERMANY

NKI, I.;?.AL RIGHTS ON THE HIGH .3.EAS.

A PRACTICAL ULTIMATUM

LONDON, July 24

President"''Yukon's despatch considers that Gtu'nmuy's Note of .July .8. is most unsatisfactory, because it fails to meet the real differences between the United States and Germany, and indicates no way to apply the accepted principles of the law of humanity to the grave matter in controversy, but proposes- contrary arrangements for the partial suspension of those principles, which virtually set them aside. The United States Government notes with satisfaction that Germany has recognised without reservation the validity of the principles insisted upon in previous American communications —"the principles that the high seas are free, that the cargo and character of merchant ships must be ascertained before destruction, and that the lives of noncombatants on board must in no case be jeopardised unless the vessel resists or. attempts to-escape after being asked to .submit to examination.

But President Wilson is keenly disappointed, because Germany regards itself as exempt from these principles, even where neutral vessels are concerned, by what Berlin believes to be the policy of Britain regarding neutral commerce*. America cannot discuss the British Government's policy except with Britain. The conduct of other belligerents is irrelevant to the discussion of the grave and unjustifiable violation t>f the rights of American citizens. Illegal and humane acts against the enemy, however they may be deemed justifiable!, are indefensible when they deprive neutrals of their rights, and particularly when they violate the rich of life itself. If a belligerent cannot retaliate without injuring the lives and property of neutrals, humanity and ■justice should dictate a discontinuance of the practice. Washington recognises the changed conditions of warfare, but cannot consent to any abatement of the fundamental rights of the people. The rights of neutrals aro based upon principle and not upon expediency, and it is a belligerent's duty to find a way to adapt the new circumstances thereto. Th?. past two months have shown that it is practicable to conduct submarine operations, in the "war zone" in accordance with the accepted practices of warfare, and the whole world looked with satisfaction on that demonstration of the possibility of lifting submarine attacks on rrnrchant ships .above the criticism they had nrousod. In-View of Germany's admission of illegality under the plea of retaliation, and the manifest possibility of conformation to the established rules of warfare, Washington cannot believe that Berlin will any longer refrain from disavowing the wanton sinking of the Lusitania, and offering reparation for the American lives lost owing to that illegal act.

The Note continues: —"Washington cannot accept the suggestion that certain vcss«f|p should be allowed to 1 sail the free seas, now.illegally proscribed,, as other vessels would be subjected to illegal attack. Both Governments are contending for the some object, and hare long stood together urging the very principles that the United States now so solemnly insists on. Both are contending for the freedom of the seas, and the United States will continue to contend for that freedom- from whatever quarter it is violated, without compromise and at any cost. It invites the practical co-operation of the German Government at a time when cooperation can-accomplish, most-' and this j great common •" object ■ can be; most strikingly and effectively achieved.; The German Government expresses .the hope that this object may in some measure bo accomplished before the war ends. It can he. The. Government of the 'Unit-fid States not only feels obliged to insist upon it by whosoever it is violated or ignored for the protection of its own citizens, but is also deeply interested in seeing it made practicable between the belligerents' themselves, and holds itself ready at any time to act as a common friend, who may be privileged to suggest a. way. " Meantime the very value which the American Government sets upon .its long nnbroken friendship with Germany impels it most solemnly to impress upon the German Government the necessity for tho scrupulous observance of neutral rights. This critical matter and friendship itself prompt ois to say to tho Imperial German Government; that a repetition by the commanders of German naval vessels of acts, in contra-, vention of those rights must be regarded by the United States, when they, affect American citizens, as deliberately unfriendly."