The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-06
GERMANY'S ANSWER To UNITED
STATES NOTE REGARDING THE
CONDUCT Of SUBMARINE WARFARE


man government Is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
OF the disputed question.
Principles OF Humanity.
! The German government attaches
! no less Importance TO the sacred prin-
| clples OF humanity than the govern
| ment OF the United States II again
takes fully into account that both gov
ernments for many years co-operated
I in developing international law in
conformity with these principles. the
ultimate object OF which has always
/ been TO continue warfare on sea anu
1 land To armed forces of belligerents.
and safeguard as far as possible non
combatants against the horrors OF
war But although these considera-
/ tions are OF great weight. they alone
would not under present circum.
stances have determined the attitude
or the German government. For in
answer 10 the appeal by the govern
ment Of the United States on behalf
OF the sacred principles OF humanity
and International law the German gov.
eminent must repeat once more with
/ all emphasis that IL was not the Ger
man. but the British government
which ignored all accepted rules OF
International law and extended this
I terrible war TO the lives and property
OF non Combatants. having no regard
whatever for the interests and rights
OF neutrals and non-combatants that
I through this method OF warfare have
! been severely injured
In selfdefense against the Illegal
conduct OF British warfare while fight
ing bitter struggle for national ex-
lstenCe. Germany had to resort 10 the
hard but effective weapon Of subma:
rine warfare.
As matters stand. the German gov
eminent cannot but reiterate regret
| that the sentiments of humanity
which the government OF the United
I States extends with such fervor 10 the
unhappy victims OF submarine warfare
are not extended with the same
warmth OF feeling 10 many millions or
women and children who. according 10
the avowed intention of the British
government. shall be starved. and VINO
: by suiferings shall force the victorious
armies OF the central powers into ig-
nOminlous capitulaiion. The German
government. in agreement with the
German people. fails TO understand
this discrimination all the more as il
has repeatedly and explicitly declared
, itself ready TO use the submarine
weapon in strict conformity with the
rules of international law as recog-
niZed before the outbreak OF the war
II Great Britain likewise was ready
10 adopt the conduct OF warfare 10
these rules.
Blsmes Great Britain.
Several attempts made by the gov
eminent of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government To
act accordingly failed because OF flat
refusal on the part OF the British gov
eminent. Moreover, Great Britain
again and again has violated interna-
tiOnal law surpa Ssing all bounds in
OutraEinc neutral rights. The latest
measure. adopted by Great Britain de-
claring German bunker coal contra
band and establishing conditions I'M
der which English bunker coal alone
Is supplied 10 neutrals Is nothing bur
an unheard-of attempt by way of eX-
action 10 force neutral tonnage into
the service Of British trade war.
1T will. therefore. be understood
that the appeal made BY the govern
ment Of the United States to Senti-
ments of humanity and principles OF
International law cannot under the cir
cumStanccs meet the same hearty re
. Spouse from the German people which
such an appeal otherwise always T.
certain TO find here. II the German
government nevertheless H. resolved
4 to go 90 the utmost limit Of conces-
sion 10 has been guided not alone by
the friendship connectn- The two
great nations for over loo years. but
also by the thought OF tho great doom
which threatens the entire civilized
world should the cruel and stnguinary
wal " fN'fuNfl ana prolonged
B The German people knows that the
government OF the United States has
, the power 20 Confine tho war 10 armed
forces Of the belligerent countries in
The interest Of humanity and mainte-
nance of International law The gov
eminent Of the United States would
have been certain of attaining this end
mad D. been determined 10 insist
against Great Britain on the incoutro-
+ Ner'ibIe rights 20 freedom Of the seas.
hut AS matters stand The German peo-
pie ls under the impression that the
government Of the United States while
demanding that Germany. struggling
for existence. shall restrain the use of
lan "iiect'e weapon and while making
compliance with these demands "a CON
dlfion for maintenance OF relations
. with Germany. confines itself 10 pro-
tests against Illegal methods adopted
bf Germany enemies. Moreover. the
German people knows 10 what coneid.
cradle extent its enemies are supplied
win all kinds Of war material from
The United States
Peace Offers
no German government. con-C ious
90 Germany strength. twice within
ne lasf few months announced before
fr" world If- readiness 20 make peace
con basis safcEuardIne Germany q
wal interests. thus indicating that D.
.- MOI Germany fault Be- peace BE- effrI
withheld from the nations OF Europo
lI" German government feels aU fh.
more justified boo declaring that 70.
-pnnsIhIIify could not hc borne before
'.n forum ~ mankind and in history
I. after 90 months ~ 'In wars du~a-
ION 'ND submarine question under dis.
.u. sion between tho German rpvr-D
rrrf and tho government ~ tho
United states wore 90 take q turn ee-f.
nu-lt threatening maintenance OF
peace between rho tao nations
Ae Ear a- IIl. with tho German