The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-05-12

ods adopted by Germany's enenies
Moreover. the German people KNOW"
- what considerable extent its en-
aJnias are supplied with all kinds or
war material from the United states.
aIt will therefore, be UNDERSTOOD
that the appeal made by the govern
,oant of the United States to sentE
ments of humanity and principles OF
International law cannot under the CHI
cnm stones meet the same nearly re-
sponse from the German people WHICH
such an appeal otherwise always is GER
TAIN IN find here. If the German gov
eminent nevertheless is resolved 10 30
N the utmost limit of concessions IL
has been guided not alone by the
friendship connecting the two great ma
tions for over one hundred years, OUT
also by the thought of the great doom
which threatens the civilized world
should the cruel and sanguinary war
be extended and prolonged.
Germany Ready for Peace.
The German government, con-
scious of Germany's strength, twice
within the last few months announced
before the world it's readiness to make
peace on basis safeguarding Ger
many's vital interests, thus indicating
that it is not Germany's fault If peace
is still withheld from the nations OF
Europe. The German government
feels all the more justified in declar-
ing that responsibility could not be
borne before the forum of mankind
and in history if after twenty-one
months of the wars duration the sub
marine question under discussion be-
tween the German government ana
the government of the United States
were to take turn seriously threaten
ing maintenance of peace between the
two nations.
Wishes to Prevent Break.
"As far as lies with the German
government it wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government, moreover, is pre-
pared to do it's utmost to confine oper-
atoms of the war for the rest of its
duration to the fighting forces of the
belligerents, thereby also insurinS
freedom of the seas, principle upon
which the German government be-
lieves, 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 received the follow
ing order: In accordance with the
general principles of visit and search
and the destruction of merchant yes
sells recognized by international law,
such vessels, both within and without
the area declared a naval war zone.
shall not be sunk without warning and
without saving human lives unless the
ship attempt to escape or offer resist
ance.'
But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for existence,
shall for the sake of neutral interests
restrict the use of an effective weapon
if the enemy is permitted to continue
to apply at will methods of warfare
violating rules of international law.
Such demand would be incompatible
with the character of neutrality and
the German government is convinced
that the government of the United
States does not think of making such
demand, knowing that the govern.
ment of the United States repeated
~ declares that it is determined to
restore the principle of freedom of the
seas, from whatever quarter 1t has
been violated.
Seeks Mutual Cooperation.
Accordingly, the German govern
ment is confident that in consequences
of the new orders issued to the naval
forces the government of the United
States will also consider all irnnadi
ments removed which may have been
In the way of mutual cooperation to-
ward restoration of the freedom Of the
seas during the war, as suggested in
the note of July %, 1915, and it does
not doubt that the government of the
United States will now demand and
insist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules OF
international law universally recog-
nized before the war, as are laid down
in the notes presented by the govern
ment of the United States to the Brit
ish government December %, 1914. and
November S, 1915.
Should steps taken by the govern
ment of the United States not attain
the object 1t desires to have the laws
OF humanity followed by all belliger-
ent nations, the German government
would then be facing a new situation
IN which it must reserve to itself com
plete liberty of decision.
The undersigned avails himself Of
TINS opportunity to renew to the Amer
lean ambassador assurances of high
est consideration"