The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-04-23
SELF DEFENSE RIGHT is
NOT TO BE GIVEN UP
ftsv AsseeiArrp rsrss,

BERLIN, April 90. via London, S
p. m.-The Lokal Aanzeiger, endeav-
ors to take fairly optimistic view Of
the situation, baslng this on what 1t
terms the almost invariably mislead-
ing character of the English news de-
spatches. It declares, however, that
as England is endeavoring to starve
this country Germany cannot give up
the. right Of self defense.
Other Berlin newspapers have pub.
lished only few lines of non-com-
initial comment. OF the prominent
out-of-town papers only the Cologne
Gazette refers editorially to the sit
uation. It says: ~ ff s-
IAN understanding between Ger
many and America concerning the
use OF submarines has not yet been
reached" r.f
The Gazette repeats the frequent
ly heard attacks on American neu-
trality in connection with the deliv-
cry OF munitions and the alleged COM
plaisence Of the United States toward
British arbitrariness and concludes:
American neutrality. carried out
in this manner is not of such kind
the Germany can sacrifice the most
effective means Of naval warfare to
It."
Vossiche Zeitung says:
President Wilson regards the
submarine operations as grave sin
against humanity and international
law, but has done nothing to grapple
the evil by the roots. Although Ger
many explained to him that the sub
marine warfare against commercial
vessels would cease Just SO soon ns
England desisted from the plan of
starving the non-combatant popula-
tion Of Germany and although 1t Is
evident that this plan is thousand
fold more inhumane than the sink
ing of any number of commercial
vessels. President Wilson has not
thought it well or Of use to demand
Of England the abandonment Of the
starvation plan"
The vossische Zeitung further
says that a breach of diplomatic re-
lations would be very grave occur
renee, the results Of which must be
weighed most conscientiously.
Forecasting the German answer,
the paper says:
"The German people are warrant
/ ed in hoping that 1t will be on the
level OF their dignity. but also in
hoping that the American people. In
whose hands the ultimate decision
rests, will examine the German an
swer with that sense Of justice which
hitherto has constituted the crown Of
glory OF the great free ocean.
Theodore Wolff, editor of the Tage-
blatt. furnishes the most noteworthy
comment on tho American note.
In an article written apparently In
a calm, and friendly spirit reviews
the facts and promises in the case and
closes: si lig
"The, vast majority OF the German
nation wishes no war with America
Light minded politicians and writer's
who indulge in, strong war poses may
underestimate such an increase IN
the enemies ofth great nation. How
ever, we will bear the worst, II the
worst cannot be prevented.
at is desired that the leaders
themselves ind a proper course. The
imperial chancellor Is now at grand
headquarters. Not since the begin
\ ming Of the war has graver question
called together the guardians of the
empire" - So
1.-THE Germans could. have no wish
to torpedo unarmed ships and destroy
non-militant life, such a procedure
fulfilling NO. military purpose. The
German government has not taken
the standpoint that the torpedoing Of
unarmed merchantmen is permitsai
BILE. since IT comedies the inviolabfit,
OF unarmed ships, 1t did not rfei
j to the fact that the Sussex WASH II