The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-05-06
Unofficial Te2t of
German Reply to Mote

ruses whether permissible or Illicit
But apart fro mthe possibility o.
errors 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 tC
ordinary forms Of cruiser warfare
neutral persons and goods repeatedly
come TO grief.
THE German government has re.
peatedly and explicitly pointed out the
dangers from mines that have led t
the loss of numerous ships.
THE German government has made
several proposals to the government
OF the United States in order to reduce
TO minimum for American travellers
and goods the inherent dangers Of
naval warfare. Unfortunately the gov
eminent OF the United States woult
have been instrumental in preventing
the greater part Of the accidents that
American citizens have met with in the
meantime.
The German government still stands
by its offer TO come to an agreement
along these lines.
AS the German government repeat
eddy declared 1t cannot dispense with
the use of the submarine weapon in the
conduct Of warfare against enemy
trade. The German government, how
ever, has now decided to make a fur
| Their concession adapting methods OF
submarine war to the interests of neu-
trails.
I'm reaching this decision the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
of the disputed question.
THE German government attaches
no less importance to the sacred prin-
cipals of humanity than the govern
ment of the United States. 1t again
takes fully into account that both gov
ernments FOR many years co-operated
in developing international law CON
formity with these principles, the ul-
innate object of which has always been
to conlinG warfare on sea and land
to armed forces of Deiligerents and
safeguarded as far as possible non
combatants against the horrors of wal
but although these considerations are
of great weight they alone would moi
under present circumstances have de.
termined the attitude of the German
government. For in answer to the ap.
/ peal by the government OF the United
States on behalf of the sacred prin.
ciples of humanity and internationa,
law the German government must re.
peat once more with all emphasis, thai
1t was not the German, but the British
government which ignored all accepted
rules of international law and OK.
! tended this terrible war to the lives
and property of non-combatants, hav.
! Ing no regard whatever for the inter.
est and rights of neuh'als and non.
combatants that through this method
of warfare have been severally in.
jured.
"ln self-defense against the illega
conduct of British warfare while
fighting bitter struggle for nationa
existence. Germany had to resort tc
the hard but effective weapon of sub.
barine warfare.
AS matters stand the German gov.
eminent cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments OF humanity which
the government of the United States
exends with such fervor to the un.
happy victims of submarine warfare
are not extended with the same warmth
of feeling to many millions OF women
and children, who according to the
avowede intention Of the British gov.
eminent, shall be starved and who
by suffering, shall force the victorious
armies of the central powers into ig-
nominous capitulation. The German
government in agreement with the
German people, fails to understand
this discrimination all the more as II
has repeatedly and explicitly declared
itself ready to use the submarine
weapon in strict conformity with the
rules of international law as recog-
nized before the outbreak Of the war
II Great Britain likewise was ready
to adapt the conduct of its warfare to
these rules.
Several attempts made by the gov
eminent Of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government to
act accordingly failed because of fat
refusal on the part Of the British gov
eminent. moreover Great Britain again
and again has violated international