Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-05-11
GERMAN REPLY IS
FARCE, SAY BRITISH
English Newspapers Unanimous
In Belief America Cannot
Accept Terms Of
Kaiser.

London, May S.-Interest with which
Germany's reply to the United States
was awaited here could hardly nave
been exceeded in America. All the eve
ming newspapers yesterday printed the
note promptly in successive editions
The greatest clriosity was expressed as
to the reception of the note by the
United States. The morning news
papers almost without exception print
ed editorials on the note, expressing
more or less decided opinions on it.
1t can only mean a break between
America and Germany says the Daily
News. The phraseology of the Ger
man reply which manifestly was de-
signed to impress the German people
with the justice of their cause, and to
throw the onus of hostile action on
America is in itself sufficient In its
obllque, but calculated, effrontry to i'm
pei the government of a powerful and
Independent people to action.
The essential fact that Americas
spec.lc demands are at every point
either completely evaded or met by a
concession so e~masculated by the con-
dition on which it hangs as to be APP
proXlmately a flat refusal.'
'nsolent Says Express.
The Express characterizes the Ger
man reply as "insolent, cynical and
d~isingenuous," and declares it is an
ultimatum because it means thai UNI
less the United States attempts to
force the allies to raise the siege of
Germany, Germany will continue to kill
h~aphazard. 1t is humbug and an insult
to American intelligence. We have
broken no international law, but have
proceeded according to the recognized
custom OF war and poiH pvarN rNnccih1o
regard to the property of neutrals, and
nave not imperilled neutral lives.
Germany has not the means of fight
ing at sea according to the rules and
therefore claims the right to fight
against the rules and asks the United
States to aid and abet her. In effect,
Germany says to America: You will
refuse to sell munitions to the allies,
and II you will help us to break Great
BfltalnS poWer at sea, we Will try not
to murder any more of your cilizens.''
n Morning Post. in an editorial,
says IN the German note an attempt
is made to p~rolons the negotiations and
to embroil England and America, white
completely evading Americas categor-
lcal demands. The newspaper says
We are not concerned t. defend the
British government against wilfWl
charges and malicious accusations
brouSht by Germany further than to
remark that pretenses so impudent are
an insult to American intelligence, and
to restate the obvious fact that Great
Britain, after % months of war, not
even yet has assumed her full maritime
rights under the law of nations.
Shifts Responsibility.
Germany" the editorial continues.
politely requests the United States to
renounce all allegiance to the law Of
nations, as understood and recognized
by every naval country. except Ger
many and perhaps Austria, and then to
challenge France, Russia and Great
Britain. Germany. not content with
laying down conditions, also threatens
America and the purpose of this tru-
culence is apparently to force upon the
United States the responsibility for
breaking off diplomatic relations" con-
cludes the Morning Post.
The Telegraph says:
Germany feels herself in an awk-
ward position between the determine
ton 20 carry on the submarine war n
a desire to placate American critics and
is clearly not anxious to break off dip
lomatic relations with Washington.
Hence she suggests the minimum Of
concessions, which she hedges around
with all kinds of qualifying conditions
and tries to maintain as best she can
the absurd hypothesis that she is a
humane n merciful power fighting
for her life against cruel and ruthless
enemies. The position Is in the last
degree Illogical II absurd"