New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 5, August, 1915 | Page 4

Lusitania shows with horrible clearness to what
jeopardizing of human lives the manner of conducting war employed
by our adversaries leads. In the most direct contradiction of
international law all distinctions between merchantmen and war vessels
have been obliterated by the order to British merchantmen to arm
themselves and to ram submarines, and the promise of rewards therefor,
and neutrals who use merchantmen as travelers thereby have been
exposed in an increasing degree to all the dangers of war.
If the commander of the German submarine which destroyed the
Lusitania had caused the crew and passengers to take to the boats
before firing a torpedo this would have meant the sure destruction of
his own vessel. After the experiences in sinking much smaller and less
seaworthy vessels it was to be expected that a mighty ship like the
Lusitania would remain above water long enough, even after the
torpedoing, to permit passengers to enter the ship's boats.

Circumstances of a very peculiar kind, especially the presence on board
of large quantities of highly explosive materials, defeated this
expectation.
In addition it may be pointed out that if the Lusitania had been spared,
thousands of cases of munitions would have been sent to Germany's
enemies and thereby thousands of German mothers and children robbed
of breadwinners.
In the spirit of friendship wherewith the German nation has been
imbued toward the Union (United States) and its inhabitants since the
earliest days of its existence, the Imperial Government will always be
ready to do all it can during the present war also to prevent the
jeopardizing of lives of American citizens.
The Imperial Government, therefore, repeats the assurances that
American ships will not be hindered in the prosecution of legitimate
shipping and the lives of American citizens in neutral vessels shall not
be placed in jeopardy.
In order to exclude any unforeseen dangers to American passenger
steamers, made possible in view of the conduct of maritime war by
Germany's adversaries, German submarines will be instructed to permit
the free and safe passage of such passenger steamers when made
recognizable by special markings and notified a reasonable time in
advance. The Imperial Government, however, confidently hopes that
the American Government will assume to guarantee that these vessels
have no contraband on board, details of arrangements for the
unhampered passage of these vessels to be agreed upon by the naval
authorities of both sides.
In order to furnish adequate facilities for travel across the Atlantic for
American citizens, the German Government submits for consideration a
proposal to increase the number of available steamers by installing in
passenger service a reasonable number of neutral steamers under the
American flag, the exact number to be agreed upon under the same
condition as the above-mentioned American steamers.

The Imperial Government believes it can assume that in this manner
adequate facilities for travel across the Atlantic Ocean can be afforded
American citizens. There would, therefore, appear to be no compelling
necessity for American citizens to travel to Europe in time of war on
ships carrying an enemy flag. In particular the Imperial Government is
unable to admit that American citizens can protect an enemy ship
through the mere fact of their presence on board.
Germany merely followed England's example when she declared part
of the high seas an area of war. Consequently, accidents suffered by
neutrals on enemy ships in this area of war cannot well be judged
differently from accidents to which neutrals are at all times exposed at
the seat of war on land, when they betake themselves into dangerous
localities in spite of previous warnings. If, however, it should not be
possible for the American Government to acquire an adequate number
of neutral passenger steamers, the Imperial Government is prepared to
interpose no objections to the placing under the American flag by the
American Government of four enemy passenger steamers for passenger
traffic between North America and England. Assurances of "free and
safe" passage for American passenger steamers would then extend to
apply under the identical pro-conditions to these formerly hostile
passenger steamers.
The President of the United States has declared his readiness, in a way
deserving of thanks, to communicate and suggest proposals to the
Government of Great Britain with particular reference to the alteration
of maritime war. The Imperial Government will always be glad to
make use of the good offices of the President, and hopes that his efforts
in the present case as well as in the direction of the lofty ideal of the
freedom of the seas, will lead to an understanding.
The undersigned requests the Ambassador to bring the above to the
knowledge of the American Government, and avails himself of the
opportunity to renew to his Excellency the assurance of his most
distinguished consideration.
VON JAGOW.

The American Rejoinder
THE SECRETARY OF STATE