GERMANY IN AMERICA

Southland Times, Issue 17483, 26 July 1915, Page 5

GERMANY IN AMERICA

UNITED STATES’ NOTE INSISTS UPON NEUTRALS’ RIGHTS GERMAN NOTE “MOST UNSATISFACTORY ” MERCHANT SHIPS MUST BE EXAMINED RULES OT LAW AND HUMANITY FURTHER BREACHES BY GERMANY REGARDED AS “DELIBERATELY UNFRIENDLY ” (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright) LOXDO.V. July 24. Received July 25, 3.40 p.m. President Wilson’s de.spatcli considers that Germany’s Note of July 8 is most unsatisfactory and fails to meet, the real differences. It indicates no way to apply the accepted principles of law and humanity to the grave matter in controversy. but proposes contrary arrangements for the partial suspension of those principles, which will virtually set them aside, ’file failed States' Government notes wilh satisfaction that Germany lias recognised, without reservation, the validity of the principles insisted upon in previous American communications, those principles being that the high spas art' free; that the cargo and character of merchantmen must be ascertained before destruction: and that the lives of non-combatants shall in no case he Jeopardised unless they resist, or attempt to escape after being asked to submit to examination. Rut President Wilson is keenly disappointed (hat Germany regards itself as exempted from these principles, even where neutral vessels arc 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. Tlie conduct of other belligerents is irrelevant in the discussion of grave and unjustifiable violations of the rights of American citizens. Illegal and inhuman acts against an enemy, however they may bo deemed Justifiable, arc indefensible. when such deprive neutrals of their rights, and particularly so when they violate the right of life, itself. If a belligerent cannot retaliate without injuring the lives of neutrals humanity and Justice should dictate the discontinuance of such practices. The Washington authorities recognise the changed conditions of warfare, but cannot consent to the abatement of the fundamental rights of the people. The rights of neutrals are based on principle, not expediency. It is a belligerent's duty to find a way to adapt the new circumstances thereto. The past two months have shown that it is practicable to conduct .submarine operations in a war zone in accord wilh the accepted practices of warfare, and the whole world looked with satisfaction upon that demonstration of (lie possibility of lifting suitmarine attacks above the criticism they aroused. 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 longer refrain from disavowing the wanton sinking of the Lusitania and offering reparation for the American lives lost in that illegal act. Washington cannot accept the suggestion that certain vessels should be allowed to sail the free seas, now illegally prescribed, and that other vessels would bo subjected to illegal attack. Both Governments are contending for the same object and bad long stood together in urging the verj’ principles upon which the. United Stales now so solemnly insists. Both are contending for the freedom of the seas, and the United States will continue to contend for that freedom. from whatever quarter it may be violated, without compromise and at any cost. It invites the practical co-opera-tion of the German Government at a time when co-operation will accomplish most, and this great common object will be most strikingly and effectively achieved. The German Government expresses the hope that this object may in some measure he accomplished, even before the war ends. It can he. and the Government of the United States not only feels obliged to insist upon it by whomever it is violated or ignored, in protection of its own citizens, but also is deeply interested in seeing it practicable between belligerents themselves, and holds itself ready at any time to act as a common friend who may he privileged to suggest a way. Meantime the very value which the American Government sets upon a long- unbroken friendship impels it to urge most solemnly upon the German Government the necessity of the scrupulous observance ot naval rights in this critical matter. That friendship, itself .will prompt us to say,.

to the Imperial German Government that a repetition by the commander of German naval vessels of acts in contravention to those rights must be regarded by the United States, when they affect American citizens, as deliberately unfriendly. THE ATTEMPT ON THE OHDUNA EXPLANATION DEMANDED NOTE COURTEOUS BUT UNYIELDING NEW TORK, July 24. A report on the attempt to torpedo the Orduna lias been drawn up. It is stated unofficially that the report supports the allegations that the Drduna was attacked by a submarine, and it is considered certain that America will demand an explanation from Germany. WASHINGTON, July 24. Tile Note presented to Berlin is courteous but unyielding. The terms are frequently strong. The Note announces America’s intention of regarding as deliberately unfriendly any repetition of German acts in contravention of American’s rights. The United States continues to contend for the freedom of tile seas in whatever quarter they may be violated, without any compromise and at any cost. A CONFERENCE CALLED. UNITED STATES PREPARING. NAVY AND ARMY MATTERS. WASHINGTON, July 24. Received July 25, 5.25 p.m. President Wilson is calling a conference of the Secretaries of War and the Navy regarding the United States’ preparedness for all eventualities. Advice is being sought from' every professional source. President Wilson desires that the navy be equal in efficiency to that of any Power.