The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-10

the restrictions provided therein of
neutrals.
Germany, likewise. has been al
ways tenacious of the principle that
war should be conducted against the
armed and organized forces of an en-
envy country. but that the enemy civil
population must be spared as far as
possible from the measures OF war.
The Imperial Government cherishes
the definite hope that some way will
be found when peace lis concluded. or
perhaps earlier. to regulate the law
of maritime war in a manner guar
anteeing the freedom of the seas. and
will welcome IL with gratitude and
and satisfaction Ii 1t can work hand
in hand with the American Govern
ment on that occasion.
Germany IL Guiitiess.
re In the present war the principles
" hich should be the ideal of the future
have been traversed more and more,
the longer it's duration. the German
government has no guilt therein. 1t is
known to the American government
how Germany's adversaries. by COM
pietely paralyzing peaceabie traffic be-
tween Germany and neutral countries.
have aimed from the very beginning
and with Increasing lack of considera-
ton at the destruction. not so much Of
the armed forces as the life of the
German. nation. repudiating In doing
SO all the rules OF international lag
and disregarding all rights OF neutraIs.
On November 3. 1914. England de-
clared the North Sea a war area. and
by planting poorly anchored mines
and by the stoppage and capture of
vessels. made passage extremely dan
gerous and difficuit for neutral ship
ping and that actually blockading
neutral coasts and ports contrary to
ali international law. Long before the
beginning OF submarine war, England
practically completely intercepted legi-
innate neutral navigation to Germany
also, thus Germany was driven to q
submarine war on trade.
Duty to Starve Out Germany.
On November IL, 1914. the English
premier declared In the House of
Commons that 1t was one of Eng
lands principal tasks to prevent food
for the German population from
reaching Germany via neutral ports.
Since March i England has been
taking from neutral ships without
further formality all merchandise pro-
ceeding to Germany, as well az all
merchandise coming from Germany.
even when neutral property. Just Il
was also with the Beers, the German
people Is now to be given the choice
Of perishing from starvation with its
women and children or of reiinquish-
ing its independence.
While our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction, we were
conducting war in self-defense for
our national existence and for the
sake Of peace Of an assured perman-
ency. We have been obliged to adopt
4 submarine warfare to meet the de-
ciared Intentions OF cur enemies and
the method of warfare adopted by
them In contravention Of internation-
al law.
4 Recognised Ncstrals Would Suffer.
with all its efforts In principle to
protect. neutrHf iife ana property from
damage ~ much n possfblc, the Ger
man xqv&rnmEnt N recognized 4 {. nnrev
servedly In its memorandum Of Febru-
AIRY that the interests OF neutrala
might sufker from the submarine war
fare. However. the American govern
ment will also understand and nppre-
ciate that In the. light Tor existence.
which has been forced upon Germany
w IT. adversaries and announced by
them. Il u the sacred duty or the Inn
periai government 70 do All within III
power to protect and save the lives or
German subjects. Ii the Imperial
Government were dereiict ii these
duties II would be guilty before God
and history OF the violation Of those
principles OF highest humanity which
ara the foundation, Of every national
existence.
The case IL yths Lusltanla shows