The Ordway new era., 1916-05-12
Argues On British blockade.

70 understand this discrimination, all
piicitly declared itself ready to use the
submarine weapon in strict confor nifty
with the rules of International law. as
recognized before the outbreak of the
war. If Great Britain likewise was
ready to adapt the conduct of warfare
to these rules
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment of the United States to pre-
vail on the British government to act
accordingly failed because of flat re-
ernment.
Moreover Great Britain again and
again has violated international law,
Surprising all bounds in outra gin4
neutral rights
The latest measure adopted by Great
Britain declaring German bunker coal
tions under which English bunker coal
alone Is supplied to neutrals, is moth
ing but an unheard-of attempt by way
oe exaction to force neutral tonnage
into the service Of British trade war.
Declares the U. :. LIS Not Fair.
The German people know that the
government OF the United States has
the power to confine the war to armed
forces of the belligerent countries in
the interest of humanity and mainte-
nance of international law.
The government of the United States
would have been certain of attaining
this end had 1t been determined to in
sist against Great Britain on the in
controvertible rights to freedom OF
the seas.
But as matters stand. the German
people are under the impression that
the government of the United States
while demanding that Germany strug
Cling for existence shall restrain the
use of an effective weapon and while
making compliance with these demands
a condition for maintenance of rela-
tions with Germany. confines itself to
protests against illegal methods adopt
ed by Germany's enemies.
Moreover the German people know
to what COnHllerah bile extent tfS
mics are supplied with all kinds of
war material from the United states.
1t will. therefore, be understood that
the United States to sentiments of hu-
manity and principles of international
law cannot. under the circumstances
meet the same hearty response from
the German people which such an ap-
peal otherwise always is certain to
find here.
II the German government, never
theless. is resolved to go to the ut
most limit OF concessions 1t has been
guided not alone by the friendship
connecting the two great nations for
over one 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
The German government. conscious
o. Germany's strength. twice within
the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on II basis safeguarding Germany.s
vital interests, thus indicating that i
is not Germany's fault of peace Is still
withheld from the nations OF Europe.
The German government feels all the
mere justified in declaring that re-
the forum of mankind and in history
il after twenty-one months of tho
wars duration the supmarine question
under discussion between the German
government and the government of the
United States were to take turn Sc
riously threatening maintenance of
peace between the two nations.
As far as lies with the German gov
ernment, it wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government. moreover, is pre-
pared to do its utmost to confine OPP
erations of the war for the rest of its
duration to the fighting forces of the
belligerents, thereby also insurinl; the
freedom of the seas. a principle upon
which the German government believes
now, as before. that it is in agreement
with the government of the United
States.
Warming to All ships Ordered.
The German government, guided by
this idea, notifies the government of
the United States that German naval
forces have received the following or
der:
In accordance with the general prin-
ciples of visit and search and the de-
struction of merchant vessels recog-
nized by international law, such ves-
sels both within and without the area
declared Il naval war zone, shall not
saving human lives unless the ship at
tempt to escape or offer resistance"
But neutrals cannot expect that Ger
many, forced to fight for existence
shall for the sake of neutral interests,
restrict the use of an effective weap-
on II the enemy is permitted to con-
tinue to apply at will methods of war
fare violating rules Of International
law.
such demand would be incompati-
BILE with the character of neutrality,
81 the German Government Is con-
WINGED that the government OF the
United States does not think OF making
ernment of the United States repeated
ly declared that it is its intention to
restore the principle of freedom of the
seas from whatever quarter 1t has been
Accordingly. the German government
is confident that. in consequence of
fns forces mew the ersess Of the united
states will also now consider all I'M
pediments removed which may have
toward restoration of the freedom of
in the note of July %, 1915; and 1t
does not d9ust tnae @ .ne sonSrh,mems 0o denand Cd
and insist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules of
international law nniversauy a rseog, sn
In the notes presented by the govern
ment Of the United states TO the Brit,
tsh government December 81, 1914, and
November s, 1915. -..-..
should steps taken by the govern
ment of the United States not attain
of humanity followed by all belliger-
ent nations, the German government
would then be facing o new situation
in which II must ; reseIvs to itself COM
The undersigned avails himself OF
itf.is 7, opportunity to renew to the
american ambassador assurances OF
phemer." "slaveholder" and "lnveter