Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-05-11
controvertible rights to freedom of the

controvertible rights to 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, strug.
Cling for existence, shall restrain the
use OF an effective weapon, and while
making compliance with these de.
mands a condition for maintenance OF
relations with Germany, confines itself
to protests against illegal methods
adopted by Germany's enemies. More
over, the German people know to what
considerable extent Its enemies are
supplied with all kinds of war mater
ial from the United States.
Guided BY Friendship.
ut will therefore. be understood
that the appeal made by the govern
| ment of the United States to senti-
ments of humanity and principles of in.
ternational law cannot, under the cir
cumstances. meet the same hearty re-
spouse from the German people which
such an appeal otherwise always is
certain to find here.
THE German government, conscious
of Germany's strength, twice within
the last few months announced before
the world to make peace on a basis
safeguarding her many vital interests,
thus indicating that 1t is not Ger
many's fault If peace is still withheld
from the nations of Europe. The Ger
man government feels all the more
justified in declaring that RESPONSE
bility could not be borne before the
forum of mankind and In history If,
after q months of the wars duration,
the submarine question under discus
sion between the German government
and the government of the United
States were to take n turn seriously
threatening maintenance Of peace be-
tween the two nations.
Prepared to Do Utmost.
$50 far as lies with the German gov
eminent It wishes to prevent things
from taking such course. The Ger
man government is prepared to do its
utmost to contine operations of the
war for the rest of it's duration to
the fighting forces of the belligerents.
thereby also insuring freedom of the
seas, principle upon which the Ger
man government believes. as before,
that 1t Is In agreement with the govern
ment OF the United States.
Such a demand would be incompat-
ible with the character OF neutrality
and the German government Ia con-
vinced 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 freedom of
the seas, from whatever quarter 1t has
been violated.
The German government, guided by
this idea notified the government OF
the United States that German naval
forces have received the following or
der:
In accordance with the general
principles of visit and search and the
destruction of merchant vessels recog-
nized by international law such YES
sells, both within and without the area
declared n naval war zone shall not
be sunk without warning and without
saving human lives unless the ship at.
tempts to escape or offer resistance
But neutrals cannot expect that Ger,
many forced to fight for existence shall
for the sake of neutral interests re-
strict the use Of an effective weapon
III the enemy is permitted to continue
To apply at will methods of warfare
violating rules of International law"
Expects u. s. To Remove Impedlments
Accordingly the German govern.
ment is confident that In consequence
OF new orders issued to the naval forces
the government OF the United States
win now also see to 1t that all i'm.
pediments are removed, which may
| may have been in the way of mutual
cooperation toward the restoration of
the freedom Of the seas during the war
as suggested in the note of July IS,
1918, and 1t does not doubt that the
United States will now demand and
insist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules OF
International law universally recog.
hlEed before the war as are lald down
| Ia the notes presented by the govern
| ment of the United States to the
British government Dec, IS. 1914, and
Nov, &, 1915"
should the steps taken by the gov
| eminent Of the United States not OBJ
tain the object 1t desires--to have the
laws OF humanity followed by all
| helligerent nations--the German gov.
eminent would then be facing new
| situation i'm which IL must reserve Il
| itself complete liberty of decision.
''The undersigned avails himself q
| this opportunity to renew to the
| American ambassador his assurances
OF highest consideration.
-~"Jagow."