Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-07-15

restrictions provided therein In favor
OF neutrals. Germany likewise has been
always 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
ian 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 is concluded, or
perhaps earlier. to regulate the law of
maritime war in manner guarantee
ing the freedom of the seas, and win
welcome 1t with gratitude and salts
faction IL 1t can work hand In hand
with the American government on
that occasion.
Germany Disclairns Guilt.
IF in the present war the principles
which should be the ideal of the future,
have been traversed more and more,
the longer its duration, the German
government has no guilt therein. 1t
is known to the American government
how Germany's adversaries, by com
pi@s@ag PoaufsG AhS pCdICiui tiduiC bt-
tween Germany and neutral countries,
have aimed from the very beginning
and with increasing lack of considera-
ton at its destruction, not so much
OF the armed forces as the life OF the
German nation. repudiating in doing
so all the rulss of international law
and disregarding the rights of neutrals
Puts Blame On England.
'On November 8, 1914, England de.
clared the North sea var area and
by planting poorly anchored mines and
by the stoppage and capture of vessels
made passage extremely dangerous
and difficult for neutral shipping, so
tby?) that actually blockading neutral
coasts and ports contrary to all in.
ternational law. Long before the be.
ginning of submarine war, England
practically completely intercepted
legitimate neutral navigation to Ger.
many also. Thus Germany was driven
to submarine war on trade.
Prevents Food Reaching Germany.
On November IA, 1914, the Eng.
lish premier declared in the house OF
commons that ii was one of England g
principal tasks to prevent food for
the German population from reaching
Germany via neutral ports. Since
March 1st England has been taking
from neutral ships, without further
| formality, ali merchandise proceeding
| to Germany as well as all merchandise
trail property. Just as it 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 relinquishing its indie
pendence.
Calls Submarine Warfare Necessary
While our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction, We were
conducting war in self-defense for
cur national existence and for the sake
| OF peace of an assured permanency
We have been obliged TO adopt sub
marine warfare to meet the declared
intentions Of our enemies and the
| method OF warfare adopted by them in
contravention of International law.
Recognizes Neutrais May Suffer.
With all its efforts in principle t.
protect neutral life and property from
damage as much as possible, the Ger
| man government recognizes unreserv
sedly in Its memorandum of February
4 that the interests of neutrals Nigh;
suffer from the submarine warfare
However, the American government
will also understand and appreciate
that in the fight for existence which
has been forced upon Germany by It's
adversaries and announced by them
it is the sacred duty of the imperial
government to do all within its power
to protect and save the lives of Ger.
| man subjects. If the imperial govern
ment were derelict In these, It's duties
1t would be guilty before God and his.
tory of the violation OF those principles
OF highest humanity which are the
foundation of every national existence
Lusttania Tragedy Enaland's. Fault I
The case of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what jeopar.
| dizing of human lives the manner OF
conducting war employed by cur adj
versaries leads. In the most direct
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