El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-19

, Quoting it,
Not the Only Instance.
II this incident stood alone, some
explanation some disavowal by the
German government, some evidence Of
! criminal mistake or wilful disobedience
] on the part Of the commander Of the
/ vessel that fired the torpedo might
De sought or entertained; but unhap-
pig! .p l ~ does not stand alone.
inevitable that il is ONLY one instance.
even though il be one of the most ex-
IRENE and distressing instances, of the
spirit ana method of warfare which the
imperial German government has mis-
takenly adopted. and w-h'@i ~, he
first exposed that government TO the
reproaeh OF thrusting all neutral rights
aside In pursuit of its immediate OBJ
jectS
L. 5. Has Been Patient.
The government of the United States
has been very patieli-. -. 49,
OF this distressing experience OF trag-
edy after tragedy in which its own
citizens were involved, it has sought
70 De restrained from any extreme
course OF action or of protest BY a
thoughtful consideration of the ex-
traOrdlnary circumstances OF this I'M
precedented war and actuated in all
that II said or did by the sentiments Of
genuine friendship which the people
Of the United states always have en-
tertained and continue to entertain TO-
ward the German nation.
1t has, Of course, accepted the sue
cessive explanations and assurances Of
the imperial German government as
given, in entire sincerity and good
faith
Facts Are UnmistakabIe.
1T has been hoped even against
hope. that IL would prove to be possible
for the German government so to or
der and control the acts of its naval
with the principles of humanity as en-
bodied in the law Of nations. It has
been willing to wait until the signifi-
canoe Of the facts became absolutely
unmistakable and susceptible Of but
one Interpretation.
German U-BOat War UnbearabIe.
That point has now unhappily been
reached. The facts are susceptible of
but one Interpretation. The imperial
German government has not been able
to put any limits or restraints upon its
warfare against either freight or pas
senger ships.
evident that the position which this |
government took at the very outset is I
inevitable; namely, that the use Of sub /
marines for the destruction of any enc |
my's commerce is of necessity, because /
Of the very character of the vessels en-
ployed, and the very methods of attack 4
which their employment, of course, in 1
wolves. incompatible with the princi- 1
and incontrovertible rights OF neutrals 1
and the sacred irnmunities OF noncom- /
oatants
The Virtual UItimntum.
Il have deemed It my duty. there
fore, 10 say 70 the imperial German !
government that IL 10 is still its pur-
pose 10 prosecute relentless and indis- J
crlminaue warfare against vessels of !
commerce by the use of submarines, |
Notwithstanding the now demonstrated
]
fare in accordance with what the gov
ernment OF the United States must
the sacred and indisputable
rules Of international law and the uni I
versaAy recognized dictates Of hui
manity, the government of the United !
States Is at last forced to the conclu-
sion that there is but one course il
can pursue; and that unless the i'm J
perial German government should now
immediately declare and effect an !
abandonment Of Its present methods of
warfare against passenger and freight |
carrying vessels, this government can
have no choice but to sever diplomatic |
with the government of the
German empire altogether.
Taking This Step Il Firm Duty.
This decision 1 have arrived at with !
he keenest regret; the possibility of
he action contemplated, l am sure, all
thoughtful Americans viii look for
ward TO with unaffected reluctance. I
But we cannot forget that we are in I
iome sort. and by force Of circum-
itances, the responsible spokesman Of
he rights of humanity, and that we
.annot remain silent while those rights
eem in process Of being swept utterly /
-Way in the maelstrom Of this terrible
var.
We owe il to a due regard for our
'wn rights as a nation, to our sense of !
uty as a representative of the rights !
II neutrals the world over and to a
ust conception Of the rights OF man.
lind, to take this stand now with the
Utmost sOiemnity and firmness.
Hopes Germany VIII Agree.
u have taken it. and taken il in the
that il viii meet with your
pproval and support All sober minded
len must unite in hoping that the i'm
erial German government which has
o other circumstances stood as the
of all that we are now con-
ending for in the interest Of humanity, |
lay recognize the justice of our de-
lands and meet them in the shirt in |