The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-13

German government, nevertheless has
resolved to go to the utmost limit OF
concession, it has not alone been guild
ed by friendship connecting two great
nations for over a hundred years, but
also by the thought OF the great doom
which threatens the entire civilized
world should the cruel and sanguinary
war be extended and prolonged.
1.-The German government, conscious
OF Germany's strength, twice within
the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on a basis safeguarding Germany's
vital interests, thus indicating that it
is not Germany's fault if peace is still
withheld from the nations of Europe.
The German government feels all the
more justified to declare that respon-
sibility could not be borne before the
forum of the history OF mankind If,
after twenty-one months duration of
the war, the submarine question under
discussion between the German gov
eminent and the government of the
United States were to take turn ser
iously threatening the maintenance OF
peace between the two nations.
"As far as lies with the German gov
eminent it wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government, moreover, is pre-
pared to do the utmost to confne the
operations of the war for the rest of
its duration to the fighting forces OF
the belligerents, thereby also insuring
the freedom of the seas, a principle
upon which the German government
believes itself now as before to be in
agreement with the government Of
the United States.
1.-The German government, guided
by this idea, notifies the government
of the United States that. German ma
val forces have received the follow
ing orders:
"Tn accordance with the general
principles of visit, search and destruc-
ton of merchant vessels recognized
by international law, such vessels both
within and without the area declared
to be a naval war zone shall not be
sunk without warning, without saving
human lives unless the ships attempt
to escape or offer resistance
But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for existence,
shall for the sake of neutral interests,
abandon the use of an effective weap-
on if the enemy is permitted to con-
tinue to apply at will methods Of war
fare violating the rules of interna-
tional law. Such demand would be in
compatible with the character of neu-
trality and the German government is
convinced that the government of the
United States does not think of max
ing such a demand, knowing that the
government of the United States re-
peatedly declares that it is determined
to restore the principle of the freedom
of the seas from whatever quarter it
has been violated.
Accordingly the German govern
ment is confident that in consequence
of new orders issued to the naval
| forces, the government of the United
| States will now also concede that all
impediments are removed which may
have been in the way of mutual CO.
operation towards the restoration OF
the freedom of the seas during the
war, as suggested in the note of July
| %, 1915, and it does not doubt that
the United States will now demand
and insist that the British govern.
ment shall forthwith observe the rules
of international law universally recog
nized before the war as laid down in
the notes presented by the govern
ment of the United States to the Brit
ish government December 26, 1914
ard November 5, 1915.
Should the steps taken by the gov
eminent of the United States not at
tain the object it desires-to have the
! laws of humaity followed by all bel
ligerent nations-the German govern
ment would then be facing a new sit
uation in which it must reserve to it
self complete liberty of decision.
1.-THE undersigned avails himself OF
this opportunity to renew to the Amer
lean ambassador his assurances Of
highest consideration.
(Signed) "JAGOW."