New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-16

and unprovoked accusations Of the
British government in regard TO the
German army and navy and the imputa-
ton that tho German authorities have
not dealt with any such crimes as have
some 10 their attention. Tho German
army and navy IN this war observe the
principles Of international law and
humanity. and the higher authorities
insist that In the event offences are
committed they shall he investigated
most closely and punished stcrnly.
l-Boats IN Self -Ocfcncc.
The three cases mentioned by the
British government were Investigated
thoroughly al the time by competent
German authorities
First, IN the case Of the sinking Of
the Arab, by q German submarine. the
investigation showed that the Suhma-
rine commander was forced from cir
cumstanccs TO draw the conclusion that
the steamer WAS attempting to ram his
craft. lie therefore believed himself
TO be acting In justihahle Sclf-dcfcnce
when he attacked the ship.
The second case mentioned the Mt
tack Of n German destroyer upon n
British submsr.ne-oc in this
NfR'iNiNA ~ NikAN NNN'iNl'N 80 AtiNNN
waters between two warships. in which
the submarine defended itself by gun
FIRE The British government can have
little ground Tor advancing the charge
that Danish neutrality was violated by
the German attack. in view of the fact
that British naval forces in series OF
cases attacked German ships In neutral
waters
Finally. in the case Of the dcs.ruc
ton Of the British steamer Rucl. the
German submarine merely applied
measures &C reprisal. announced by
Germany in February. 1918. These
measures are IN harmony with inter
national law because England is en-
doavorirG by illegal means TO tic up
the legitimate maritime commerce be
tween Germany and neutral countries,
10 cut Of Germany from oil imports,
and thereby starvc the German people.
Appropriate rcprisalS are permissible
against measures IN violation OF inter-
national law
In all three cases the German
naval forces intended only to destroy
hostile ships. and IN no way 20 STAY
helpless persons who were attempting
the contrary Of the British government
must be repudisted with all decisive
ness as untrue.
Neutral Court Offer Rejected.
THE German government is Of the
opinion that IL must reject as unac-
ceptable the British proposal 70 sub
NIT these three cases. together with
the BaralonG case. TO Investigation by
court Of American naval officers. Il
takes the standpoint that charges
against members Of the German forces
must be investigated by its own com
petert' authorities, and that the persons
accused be given every surety OF an
uuprejudicCG verdict. with just punish
mert where necessary. In the Bara-
long case X has advanced 70 me Brit
,sh government no request other than
this. not doubling for a moment that
court martial composed OF British
naval officers would infict suitable
punishment for the cowardly and per
rdlous murder. This request was the
more iustihable because Of the fact
that the guilt Of the commander and
crew OF the BaralOng was established
practically beyond doubt by atiidayits
made by Americans, who are neutral
witnesses. and submitted TO the British
government
The manner i'm which the British
government has answered the German
memorandum does not correspond in
form and contents with the gravity Of
the situation and makes Il impossible
for the German government TO nego-
tiste further with the British govern
ment in regard 20 this matter The
German government therefore takes
the ground. as the final result Of the
negotiations. that the British govern
ment. under empty pretcXts, has left
unfulhlled the justified demands Tor
an investigation of The Baralong case.
and thereby has made itself response
Bile for the crime Of dcfyinC intcrHa-
tionai law and humanity. showing chat
10 desires no longer TO observe, in re
spoct 20 German submarines, one OF
The frs. rules Of war namely. 20 spare
enemies incapacitated for further ac-
ton lu order 10 prevent them from
conducting warfare at sea IN accord
arcc with established international
Jaw
"Inasmuch as the British govern
ment has declined 10 make amends for
this outrageous incident. the German
government feels itself compelled to
take into IFS OWE hands punishment
for this uuatoned crime and 70 adopt
measures Of reprsal spending
..th tho nrOvCcatIOu.