Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-06

the conduct of warfare against enemy trade The German government, how ever, has now decided to make fur ther concession, adapting methods of submarine war to the interests of neu- trals.
 .In reaching its decision the German government is actuated by considera- tions which are above the level of the disputed question.
 Respects Sacred Principles of Human
 ity
 ''The German government attaches no less importance to the sacred prin- ment of the United States. It again fully takes into account that both gov- ernments for many years co-operated 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 belligerents and safeguard as far as possible non- combatants against the horrors of war. But although these considerations are of great weight, they alone would not under present circumstances have de- termined tke attitude of the German government. For in answer to the ap- peal by the government of the United States on behalf of the sacred princi- pies of humanity and international law the German government must repeat once more, with all emphasis, that it was not the German but the British government which ignored all accepted rules of international law and extend- ed this terrible war to the lives and property of non combatants, having no regard whatever for the interests and rights of neutrals and non combatants that through this method of warfare have been severely injured.
 na-a1 e (, tf
 'In self defense. against the illegal conduct of British warfare, while fighting a bitter struggle for national existence, Germany had to resort to the hard but effective weapon of submarine warfare.
 Discrimination is Claimed
 "As matters stand, the German gov- ernment cannot but reiterate regret that the sentiments of humanity which the government of the United States extends with such fervor to the unhappy victims of submarine war fare, are not extended with the same warmth of feeling to many millions of women and children who, accord ing to the avowed intention of the British government shall be starved and who. by sufferings, shal force the victorious armies of the central pow CTS into ignominious equalization. The German government, in agreement with the German people, fails to un- derstand this discrimination, all the more as it has repeatedly and ex- plicitly declared itself ready to use the submarine weapon in strict conform 1 ity with the rules of international l law as recognized before the outbreak of the war, if Great Britain likewise was ready to adapt the conduct o1 warfare to these rules.
 Cites British Violations
 Several attempts made by the gov ernment of the United States to pre- vail upon the British government to act accordingly failed because of fiat refusal on the part of the British gov ernment Moreover, Great Britain again and again has violated interna- | tional law, surpassing all bounds in outraging neutral rights. The latest measure adopted by Great Britain de- l claring German bunker coal contra band and establishing conditions un- der which English bunker coal alone an unheard of attempt in the way oi exaction to force neutral tonnage into the service of British trade war
 U. s. Too Easy With Great Britain
 The German people know that ths government of the, United States has the power to conf1ne the war to armed forces of the belligerent countries 1T CAG 4HbeE6SC OI humanity ana ma1nI9. nance Of international law. The gov. ernment of the United States wouI( have been certain of attaining tf1i. end had it been determined to insist against Great Britain on the incon, trovertible right to freedom of tn, seas. But, as matters stand, the Ger, man people are under the impression | that the government Of the United States, while demanding that Ger many, struggling for existence. shal restrain the use of an effective weap on, and while making compliance witt these demands condition for main tenance of relations with Germany confines itself to protests against file I gal methods adopted by Germany enemies, Moreover. the German peo i pie know to what considerable exten l its enemies are supplied with all kind
 (continued on Page Three.)