The Harrison times., 1915-07-17

a manner guaranteeing the freedom Of
the seas and will welcome 1t with
gratitude and satisfaction II 1t can
work hand in hand with the Ameri-
can government on that occosion.
Germany Not Guilty.
"If In the present war the princi'
pies which should be the ideals Of the
future have been traversed more and
more, the longer its duration, the Ger
man government has no guilt therein.
It is known to the American govern
ment how Germany's adversaries, by
completely paraly2ing peaceable traf'
fic between Germany and neutral coun-
tries have aimed from the very begin
ming, and with increasing lack Of con-
sideration at the destruction, not 50
much Of the armed forces as the life
of the German nation, repudiating in
doing so all the rules Of international
law and disregarding all the rights Of
neutrals.
"On November 3, 1914, England de-
clared the North sea war area and
by planting poorly anchored mines
and by the stoppage and capture OF
vessels, made passage extremely dan
gerous and difficult for neutral ship
ping, by that actually blockading neu-
trail coasts and ports contrary to al
international law, Long before the
beginning Of submarine warfare Eng
land practically completely intercept
ed legitimate neutral navigation to
Germany also, Thus Germany was
driven to a submarine war on trade,
War on Food Traffic.
"On November a. 1914, the English
premier declared in the House OF
Commons that It was one Of England's s
principal tasks to prevent food for the
German population from reaching Ger
many via neutral ports, Since March
/, England has been taking from neu'
tral ships without further formality
all merchandise proceeding to Ger.
many az we'll as all merchandise com.
ing from Germany even when neutral
property, Just as It was also with the
Beers, the German people is now ia
be given the choice Of perishing from
starvation with its women and chill
dren and Of relinQuishing It's inde.
pendenCe,
while our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction, we were
conducting q war In selfdefense for
our national existence and for the
sake Of peace Of an assured permanent
cy We have been obliged TO adopt a
submarine warfare TO meet the de-
clared intention of our enemies and
methods Of warfare adopted by them
In 0ontrayenton OF international
law,
Knew NeutraIs Might Suffer,
with all It's efforts In principle u
protect neutral life and property from
damage as much as possible, the Ger
man government recognized unswery
ingly IN It's memorandum OF February
I that the interests Of ncutrals might
suffer from the submarine warfare
! However the American government
also win understand and appreciate
that In the fight for existence which
has been forced upon Germany by Ita
adycrsarcs and announced by them
II ~ the sacred duty Of the imperial
government to do all within IT.
power TO protect and save the lives OF
German subjects II the imperial
government were derelict in these, its
duties, It would be guilty before God
and history Of the violation OF the
principles Of highest humanity which
are the foundation OF every national
existence,
The case OF the LusItOniO shows
with horrible clearncgs TO what jco
pardizing OF human lives IN the man
nor Of conducting war employed by
our adyersarIes leads In the most dI
rect contradiction OF international law
all distinctions between merchantmen
and war vessels have been obliterotot
by the order to British merchantmor
to arm Themselves and TO ram submN
rinca and the promise Of reward.
therefor, and neutrnla who use mer
ch0ntmen Ns travellers, thereby hay,
been exposed to the increasing dan
gers Of war.
Quick sinking a Surprise,
"lf the commander OF the German
submarine which destroyed the Luai
tAnla had caused the crew and pas
sengers 20 take TO the boats before tf
lng a torpedo, this would have mean
the sure destruction Of his own vessel
After the experiences IN sinking mucl
smaller uNd leaa soaworthy vessels I
was 70 be- expected that n mighty shit
Ike the LusilnniN would remain aboy,
water long enough even after the Tor
podolng to permit passengers 10 cnto
the ships boats. Circumstances OF 1
worry peculiar kind, especially the pres
onoo ON board OF large quantities o