THE AMERICAN NOTE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13792, 12 June 1915, Page 5

THE AMERICAN NOTE.

THE LTJSITANIA OUTRAGE

GERMAN CONTENTIONS

IRRELEVANT.

REQUEST FOR ASSURANCES

(Received June 12, 0.25 a.m.)

Washington, June 11

The American Note to Germany referring to the dishing and Gulf Light cases, notes jbhat Germany will acknowledge and meet liability where she attacks neutral ships which are not guilty of hostile acts, and promises full information relating to the Cushing.

Regarding the sinking of the Falaba,' where an American lost his life, the United States is surprised to find Germany contending that an effort on the part of a merchantman to escape capture and secure assistance alters the obligation upon the officer "seeking to make the capture in respect to the

safety of the lives of those on board the merchantman, although the vessel had ceased to attempt to escape when it was torpedoed.

After quoting international law the Note states that the United States does not understand that Germany is seeking in this case to relieve itself of liability, but intends to set forth the circumstances which led the commander of the submarine to allow himself to be hurried in the course taken.

Regarding the Luisitania, the contention of Germany that the liner was equipped with masked guns and supplied with trained gunners and special ammunition, was transporting Canadian troops and carrying cargo not permitted by the laws of the United States to a vessel carrying passengers, and was serving in virtual effect as an auxiliary to the naval forces of Great Britain, is refuted.

The Imperial German Government is informed that special attention is paid to these matters by the proper officials of the American Government, and if the Imperial German Government deems itself possessed of convincing evidence that the officials of the United States do not perform their duties thoroughly, the American Government hopes it will submit the evidence for consideration.

The contentions of the Imperial German Government regarding the carrying of contraband on the Lusitania are declared to be irrelevant to the question of the legality of the methods used by the German naval authorities. Whatever be the facts regarding the sinking of the Lusitania; the principal fact remains that a great steamer primarily and chiefly for the conveyance of passengers, and carrying more than a thousand sotils who had no part or lot in the conduct of the war, was torpedoed and sunk without warning, and men, women, and children were sent to their death in circumstances unparalleled in modern warfare. It is Upon the principle of humanity as well as of law founded upon this principle that the United States must stand.

The Government of the United States confidently looks to see the justice and humanity of the Government of Germany vindicated in all cases where Americans have been wronged and their rights as neutrals invaded.

The proclamation of the w.ar zone is not admitted by the United States to affect the rights of American shipmasters and citizens as passengers bound upon lawful errands.

The Government of the United States deems it reasonable to expect tho Imperial German Government to adopt the measures necessary to put these principles into practice in respect to safeguarding American lives and American ships, and asks for assurances that this will be done.