Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-06
COMPLETE TEXT OF NOTE.
IS SENT BY Won jAG0W
Continued from Page One)

Of the accidents that American citi-
Zens have met with in the meantime.
1.-The German government still
stands by its offer 10 come to an
agreement along these lines.
las the German government re-
peatedly declared, it cannot dispense
with the use of the submarine weapon
in the conduct of warfare against en-
envy trade. The German government.
however, has now decided 10 make
a further concession, in adapting
methods of submarine war TO the in
terests of neutrals. In reaching this
decision the German government is
actuated by considerations which are
above the level OF the dispute ques-
ton
Blame Great Britain.
''The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred
principles OF humanity than the gov.
eminent Of the United States 1t
again fully takes into account that
both governments for many years co
operated in developing international
Law in conformity with these princi
pies, the ultimate object OF which has
always been TO contine warfare on
sea and land to armed forces of bel
ligerents and safeguard as far as pos
sible non-cOmbatants against the hor
rors of war. But although these con-
sideratiOns are of great weight, they
alone would not under the present
circumstances have determined the
attitude of the German government
For, in answer to the appeal by the
government of the United States on
behalf of the sacred principles of hui.
mainly and international law, the Ger
man government must repeat once
more. with all emphasis, that it was
not the German, but the British gov
eminent which ignored all the accept
ed rules of international law and ex-
tended this terrible war to the lives
and property of non-cOmbatants, hav-
ing no regard whatever for the inter-
ests and rights of neutrals. and non
cOmbatants and that, through this
method of warfare, many have been
severely injured. In self-defense
against the Illegal conduct Of British
warfare, while fighting bitter strug-
gle for national existence, Germany
had to resort to the hard but effective
weapon of submarine warfare.
'.As matters stand. the German gov
eminent cannot but reterate regret
that the sentiments of humanity which
the government of the United States
extends with such fervor to the un-
happy victims of submarine warfare
are not extended with the same
warmth of feeling to many millions
of, women and children who, accord
ing to the avowed intentions Of the
British government, shall be starved
and who, by sufferings shall force vic.
torious armies of the central powers
into ignominious capitulation.
Discrimination Alleged.
"The German government, in agree,
ment with the German people, fails to
understand the discrimination. all the
more as it has repeatedly and eXplic
lilly declared itself ready to use the
submarine weapon in strict conform
itt with the rules of international
laws. as recognized before the out
break of the war. If Great Britain
likewise was ready to adopt the con
duct of warfare to these rules. Sew
eral attempts made by the govern
ment Of the United States to prevail
upon the British government to ACT
accordingly failed because Of a fiat
refusal on the part of the British gov
eminent.
Moreover, Great Britain again and
again has violated international law
SURPRISING all bounds in outragins
neutral rights. The latest measure
adopted by Great Britain, declaring
German bunker coal central and and
establishing conditions under which
English bunker coal alone is supplied
to neutrals is nothing but an unheard
of attempt by way of eXaction to force
neutral tonnage into the service OF
the British trade war
"The German people know that the
government of the United States has
the power TO confine the war to arm
ed forces of the belligerent countries
in the interest of humanity and main
tenance Of international law.
"The government of the United
States would have been certain oil
attaining this end had it been de
termined to insist against Great Brit
ain on the incontrovertible rights OF
freedom of the seas. But as matters
stand, the German people is under the
impression that the government of the
United States, while demanding that
Germany, struggling for existence