The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-05-11

years. but also by the thought OF the
great doom which threatens the entire
civilized world should the cruel and
ssnguinary war be extended and pro
longed."
Germany DESTROYS Of Peace.
"The German government, conscious
Of eermany's strength, twice within
the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on . basis safeguarding oermany's VI
tai interests, thus indicating that Il Is
not Germany's fault II peace 10 still
withheld from the nations Of Europe.
The German government feels all
the more justified in declaring that re.
spOnsibility could not be borne be-
fore the forum of mankind and in his
tory II, after 2l months of the wars
duration, the submarine question un-
der discussion between the German
government and the government Of the
United States we're to take turn seri-
ously threatening maintenance of
peace between the two nations.
Anxious to Prevent Clash.
"As far as lies with the German gov
ernment it wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government, however, is prepared
to do its utmost to confine operations
OF the war for the rest of its dura-
tion to the fighting forces of the bellig-
erents, thereby also insuring freedom
OF the seas, principle upon which the
German government believes, now as
before, that it is in agreement with
the government Of the United States.
To Warn Ships and Save Lives.
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
principles of visit and search and the
destru ction Of merchant vessels rec
ognized by international law, such ves-
sells, both within and without the area
declared a naval war zone, shall not
be sunk without warning and without
saving human lives unless the ship
attempt to escape or offer resistance.
But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for existence,
shall for the sake of neutral interests
restrict the use of an effective weapon
if the enemy is permitted to continue
to apply at will methods of warfare
violating rules of international law.
Such a demand would be incompatible
with the character Of neutrality, and
the German government is convinced
that the government of the United
States does not think of making de-
mand, knowing that the government of
the United States repeatedly de-
clares that it is determined to
restore the principle of freedom
of the seas, from whatever quarter 1t
has been violated.
Asks for Demand on Britain.
Accordingly the German govern.
ment is confident that in consequence
of the new orders issued to the naval
forces the government Of the United
States will also now consider all i'm
pediments removed which may have
hnnF in tho nf YNLR,-ol
ton toward restoration of the free
dom Of the seas during the var, as
suggested in the note of July 23, 1879
and it does not doubt that the govern.
ment of the United States will now de-
mand and insist that the British gov
ernment shall forthwith observe the
rules of international law universally
recognized before the war, as laid
down in the notes presented by the
government of the United States to
the British government December %,
1914, and November 5, 1915.
"ShouId steps taken by the govern.
ment of the United States not attain
the object it desires, to have the laws
of humanity followed by all belI.geT.
ent nations, the German government
would then be facing a new situation,
In which it must reserve to itself com.
pIete liberty of decision.
THE undersigned avails himself Of
this opportunity to renew to the Amer.
ican ambassador assurances of high.
est consideration"
Won JAGOW.