THE AMERICAN NOTE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2486, 12 June 1915, Page 5

THE AMERICAN NOTE

AND GERMANY'S REPLY (Rec r Juno 11,10.50 p.m.) Washington, June 11. Germany's reply to the American Note regarding tho sinking of the William P. Frye declaros that the Prus-sian-American 'I.Veaty of 1799 oxpressly reserves the right to stop carrying contraband, and it follows that if this cannot be effected any other way it must be effected by the destruction of tho Bhip, and tile Prize Court was only necessary to fix the compensation. The owners of the William P. Frye should enter a claim. THE TEXT OF THE NOTE, THE CASE FOE AMERICA. (Rec. June 12, 0.25 a.m.) _ Washington, June 11. The American Note to Germany referring to the Cusiiing and Gull Light cases, notes that Germany will acknowledge and meet her liability where the attack is on neutral ships not guilty of a hostile act, and promises full information relating to the Gushing. Regarding the sinking of the Falaba, where there was loss of American life, the United States is surprised to find Germany contending that effort on tho part of merchantmen to escape capture and securt assistance altors tho obligation of .the officer seeking to make the capture to respect tho safety and lives of those aboard merchantmen, although the vessel ceased to attempt to escapo when torpedoed. After quoting international law, the Note states that the United States does not understand that Germany is seeking in this case to relievo herself of liability, but intends to set forth the circumstances which led the commander of the submarine to allow himself to ba hurried in tlie course taken. Regarding the Lusitania, tho contention of tho Germans that tho liner was equipped with masked guns and supplied with trained gunners and vrifcli speoial ammunition, transporting Canadian troops, and carrying cargo not permitted by the laws of the United States to a vessel carrying passengers, serving in virtual cffcct as an auxiliary to the naval forces of Britain, was refuted. The Imperial Government was informed that sp.ecial attention had been paid to these matters by the proper officials of tho American Government. If the Imperial Government deemed itself possessed of convincing evidence that officials of the United States did not perform their duties thoroughly, Washington hopes it will submit the evidence for consideration. The contentions of the Imperial Government regarding the carrying of contraband on tho Lusitania are declared to be irrelevant to the question of the legality of tho methods used by the German naval authorities. Whatover be the facts regarding the sinking of the Lusitania, the principal fact remains that tho great steamer was primarily and chiefly engaged in the conveyance of passengers. Carrying more than a thousand souls who had no part or lot in the conduct of the war, she was torpedoed and sunk without warning, men, women, and children being sent to death under circumstances unparalleled in modern warfare. It is upon the principle of humanity as well as law founded on this principlo that the United States must stand. The. Government of the United States confidently looks to aeo justice to humanity vindicated by the German Government in all cases where Americans have been wronged, and their Tights as neutralß invaded. Tho proclamation of a war zone was not admitted by tho United States to affect the right of American shipmasters carrying citizens as passengers bound on lawful errands. The Government of the United States deems it reasonable to expect the Imperial Government to adopt the measures necessary to put the principles into practice witlii refspect to safeguarding American lives and American ships, and asks assurances that this will be done. MR. BRYAN'S RESIGNATION AS VIEWED BY GERMAN PRESS. Amsterdam, June 10. The "Cologne Gazette" regards Mr. Bryan's resignation aB & triumph for German-Americans. Mr. Bryan has always expounded neutrality in favour of Germany's enemies. Other Berlin newspapers state that the resignation i 6 hardly to be regarded as favourable to Germany. OPINION IN AMERICA _ NEWSPAPER CRITICISM, (Reo, June 11, 11.5 p.m.) New York, June 11. The leaiJing newspapers throughout the United States declare that Mr. Bryan's desertion from the Cahinet at an unfortunate time is the least becoming act of an unprofitable diplomatic career, coming as it does at a time Trhan a Note was about to be dispatched to Germany, and when the stiffening of the attitude of the United States was looked for abroad. The papers view the incident as one that cannot but be agreeable to Germany, where it must necessarily erroneously appear that it will divide the sentiment of America as to the propriety of bis act. HIS PECULIAR VIEWS. THE CAUSE NEAREST HIS HEART. (Reo. June 11, 6.15 p.m.) London, June 10. "The Times," in a leader on tho resignation of Mr. W. J. Bryan, says it is much moro a personal than a political event. It is the result of news peculiarly his own. Ho is not an'out-and-out pacificist, but ho has a deep conviction of the righteousness aim feasibility of substituting conciliation for force in international affairs. Ho sees the country taking up the attitude towards Germany which ho insisted involved tho risk of war and feels that he cannot conscientiously be a party to incurring such a liability. The cause nearest, his heart is not the maintenance of American interosts and honour, but the prevention of war. The resignation may affect the fortunes of the Democrats, but assuredlv it will not affect the situation that has arisen in the United States. Germany, it may be inforrod from the Note involving tho crisis, does not abandon recent specific demands, but tiiev ore contemn! nAukly ignored ,md evaded in unci jfodaax i'SuJi" Sorvisaßj