Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-05-10

and the possibility Of internal dis
turbance II too ready submissiveness
was shown. She met both by inject
ing a third issue-the English block
ade Of German ports. In substance
she says she will grant all the United
States demands, and continue the new
order in force until she is satisfied that
the influence Of the United States has
not put stop to the English block
ade, and then-she will think about it.
Thus Germany has avoided an i'm
mediate break with this country, as
the reply has been accepted as satisfac-
tory until new violations of the prom
Use occur, and has pacified the Ger
man populace by war-l like front and
the thrust at England.
The meat of the German reply to
the ultimatum from this country is as
follows:
The German government is prepared to do
its utmost to confne operations Of the war
for the rest of its duration to the fighting
forces of the belligerents, thereby also insur-
ing 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.
The German government, guided by this
idea, notifies the government Of the United
States that German naval forces have re-
ceived the following order:
I'm accordance with the general principles
of visit and search aud the destruction Of
merchant vessels recognized by international
law. such vessels, both within and without the
area declared . naval war zone, shall not be
sunk without warming and without saving
human lives unless the ship attempt to escape
or offer resistance"
But neutrais cannot expect that Germany.
forced to fight for existence, shall for the
sake Of neutral interests, restrict the use Of
an effective weapon II the enemy is permitted
to continue. to apply at will methods Of war;
fare violating rules OF international law.
Such . demand twould be Incompatible with
the character of neutrality, and the German
government 10 convinced that the govern
mcnt OF the United States does not think OF
making such . demand, knowing that the
government Of the United States repeatedly
declared that it is determined TO restore the
principle OF freedom Of the seas, from what
ever quarter 1t has been violated.
Accordingly, the German government is
confident that In consequence OF the new
orders issued to the naval forces, the govern
| ment OF the United States will also now con-
slider ell impediments removed which may
| have been in the way of mutual cooperation
toward restoration Of the freedom OF the seas
durir the war, and it does not doubt that the
government of the. United States will now de-
mand apdtinsist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules Of. interna-
tional Law universally recognized before the
by the government Of the United States TO
the British-government.
should steps taken by the government Of
the United States not attain the object 1t
desires, to have the laws OF humanity followed
by all belligerent nations, the German
government would then be facing .. new
situation in which it must reserve to itself
complete liberty OF decision.
In note cabled to Berlin Monday,
Secretary Lansing informs the Ger
man government that the United
States accepts its declaration Of it's
abandonment of it's former submarine
policy, and now relies upon scrupulous
execution Of the altered policy, but
cannot entertain suggestion that the
rights OF citizens OF the United States
upon the high seas should in any way
be made contingent upon the conduct
of any other government.
|