The Tomahawk., 1916-05-11

in no kind be avoided altogether AL
lowances must be made in the cen
duct of naval warfare against an enc
my resorting to all kinds of ruses,
whether permissible or Illicit.
Implies Dangers For NeutraIs.
But apart from the possibility of
errors, naval warfare just like war
fare on land, implies unavoida bic
dangers for neutral persons and goods
entering the fighting zones Even in
cases where the naval action is cob
fined to ordinary forms of cruiser
warfare, neutral persons and goods re;
peatedly come to grief.
THE German government has re-
peatedly and explicitly pointed out
the dangers from mines that have
led to the loss of numerous ships.
U. S. Blamed For "Accidents."
The German government has made
several proposals to the government
of the United States in order to re-
duce to minimum for American trav-
elers and goods the inherent dangers
of naval warfare. Unfortunately, the
government of the United States de-.
cided not to accept the proposals. Had
it accepted, the government OF the
United States would have been instru-
mental in preventing the greater part
of the accidents that American citi-
zens have met with in the meantime.
1.-The German government still stands
by it's offer to come to an agreement
along these lines.
Cannot Dispense With U-Boats.
LAS the German government repeat
eddy declared, it cannot dispense with
the use of the submarine weapon in
the conduct of warfare against enc
my trade. The German government,
however, has now decided to make a
further concession, adapting methods
of submarine war to the interests of
neutrals.
'Jn reaching this decision the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
of the disputed question.
Helped Develop Laws.
"The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prin-
ciples of humanity than the govern
ment of the United States. 1t again
fully takes into account that both
Governments for many years COOP
Grated in developing international law
in conformity with these principles,
the ultimate object of which has al
ways been to confine warfare on sea
and land to armed forces of belliger-
ents and safeguard, as far as possible
noncombatants against the horrors
of war. But although these consid-
erations are of great weight, they
alone would not, under present circum-
stances, have determined the attitude
of the German government.
BIames British 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, will all emphasis, that it was
not the German but the British gov
eminent which ignored all accepted
rules of international law and ext
tended this terrible war to the lives
and property of noncombatants, hav-
ing no regard whatever for the in
terests and rights of neutrals and
noncombatants that through this meth
cd of warfare have been severely in
jured.
I'm selfdefense against the illegal
conduct of British warfare while fight
ing bitter struggle for national exist
ence, Germany had to resort to the
hard but effective weapon of submar-
inc warfare.
Alleges Discrimination.
LAS matters stand, the German gov
eminent cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments of humanity,
which the government of the United
States extend with such fervor to the
unhappy victims of submarine warfare,
are not extended with the same warm
tn of feeling to many millions of Wo-
men and children who, according to
the avowed intention Of the British
government, shall be starved, and who,
by sufferings, shall force the victorious
armies of the Central Powers into ig-
nominous capitulation. The German
government, in agreement with the
German people fails to understand
this discrimination all the more as it
has repeatedly and explicitly declared
itself ready to use the submarine wea-
pom in strict conformity with the rules
of international laws as recognized
before the outbreak of the war, if
Great Britain likewise was ready to
adopt the conduct of warfare to these
rules.
U. S. Attempts Failed.
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
government. Moreover. Great Brit
ain again and again has violated in
ternational law surprising all bounds
in outraging neutral rights. The lat
est measure adopted by Great Britain
declaring German bunker coal contra
band, and establishing conditions un-
1;cb h,,,, ono1 a1nno