Bisbee daily review., 1916-05-06
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ever been shown neutrals by Great Britain and her allies.
 But Not In War Zone.
 The German submarine forces have had, in fact, orders to conduct the submarine warfare in accordance with the general principles of visit and search and the destruction of merchant vessels recognized by inter national law, the sole exception being the conduct of warfare against enc my freight ships encountered in the war zone surrounding Great Britain. With regard to these. no assurances have ever been given to the govern ment of the United States in the de- claratfon of February S. 1916.
 Errors Have Occurred.
 'The German government cannot admit any doubt that these orders were given or are executed in good faith. Errors actually occurred. They can in no kind of warfare be avoided altogether. Allowances much be made in the conduct of naval war fare against an enemy resorting to all kinds of ruses whether permissible or illicit.
 Apart from the possibility of CT TOTS. naval warfare just like warfare on land, implies unavoidable dangers for neutral persons and goods enter ing the fighting zone. Even in cases where the naval action is confined to ordinary forms of cruiser warfare. neutral persons and goods repeatedly come to grief.
 Proposals Not Accepted.
 The German government has made several proposals to the government of the United States in order ro re- duce to minimum for American travellers and goods the inherent dan gers of naval warfare. Unfortunately the government of the United States decided not to accept the proposals. Had it accepted the government of the United States would have been instrumental in preventing the great CT part of the attacks that American citizens have met with in the mean time.
 1.-The German government still stands by its offer ito come to an agreement along these lines.
 Cannot Dispense With Pluneers.
 AS the German government re peatedly declared. it cannot dispense with the use of the submarine wea- pon in the conduct of warfare agains. enemy trade. The German government However. has now decided to make a further concession. adapting methods of submarine war to the interests of neutrals.
 A Further Concession.
 '"In reaching this decision the Ger man government is actuated by con alterations which are above the level of the disputed question.
 The German government attaches no less importance to the sacred prin- ciples of humanity than the govern ment of the United States. It again fully takes into account that both governments for many years co-Operat- ed in developing international law in conformity with these principles, the ultimate object of which has always been to confine warfare on sea and land to armed forces of beliigerents and safeguard as far as possible nCn- combatants against the horrors oi war But although these considera tions are of great weight, they alone would not under present circum- stances have determined the attitude of the German government. For in answer to the appeal by the govern- ment of the United States on behalf of the sacred principles of humanity and international law, the German gov' ernment must repeat once more, with all emphasis. that it was not the Ger man, but the British government which ignored all accepted rules St international law and extended this terrible war to lives and property of non-combatants. having no regard whatsoever for the interests and rights of neutrals, and non-combat ants that through this method of war : fare have been severely injured. In Self Defense.
 Tn self defense against the illegal conduct of British warfare, while fighting a bitter struggle for national existence, Germany had to- resort tC