Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1916-05-11

concessions, 1t has been guided not
alone by the friendship connecting
the two great nations for over one
hundred years but also by the thought
or the great doom which threatens
the entire civilized world should this
cruel and sanguinary war be extended
and prolonged"
Twice Tried to Bring About Peace.
The German Government conscious
or Germany's strength twice within
the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on basis safeguarding Germany's
vital interests, thus indicating that Il
is not Germany's fault IL peace Is stir
withheld from the Nations OF Europe
The German Government feels all the
more justified In declaring that re-
sponsibility could not be borne before
the forum of mankind and in history
II after 21 months OF the wars dura.
tion the submarine question under dis
cussion between the German Govern
ment and the Government of the
United States were to take turn SO
rtously threatening maintenance of
peace between the two nations.
Will Not Attack Neutral Ships.
"As far as lies with the German
Government, it wishes to prevent
things from taking such a course. The
German Government. moreover. ia
prepared to do its utmost to conf,ne
| operations of the war for the rest OF
lts duration to the fighting forces OF
the belligerents. thereby also insurine
freedom OF the seas. principle upon
which the German Government he.
lieves, now as before. that it is in
agreement with the Government of the
United States.
Shall Not be Sunk Without Warming.
The German Government, guided
by this idea, notifies the Government
or the United States that German ma.
val forces have received the following
order: In accordance with the gen.
eral principles Of visit and search and
the destruction of the 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 I'M.
less the ship attempt to escape or
offer resistance
Introduces Restrictions.
But FOR neutrals cannot expect
that Germany, forced to fight for ex.
istence. shall, for the sake OF neutral
interests, restrict the use OF an effec.
tive weapon II the enemy is permitted
to continue to apply at will methods
OF warfare violating rules OF interna-
tional law. Such a uemand would be
incompatible with the character OF
neutrality and the German Govern.
ment is convinced that the Govern
ment of the United States does not
think of making such a demand. know
ing that the Government of the Uni
ted States repeatedly declares that it
Is determined to restore the principle
OF freedom of the seas. from whatever
qusrter ii has been violated"
Accordingly the German Govern.
ment is confident that in consequence
OF the new orders issued to the naval
forces the Government of the United
States will also now consider all i'm
pediments removed which NAV have
been in the way Of mutual cooperation
toward restoration of the freedom of
the seas during the war. as suggested
in the note OF July % 1915. and 1t does
not doubt that the Government of the
United States will now demand and in
sist that the British government shall
forthwith observe the rules of interna
t'onallaw universally recognized before
the war as are laid down in the notes
presented by the Government of the
United States to the British Govern.
ment December 2S. 1914, and Novem.
ber ,, 1875.
should steps taken ny the Govern.
ment OF the United States not attain
the object it desires to have the laws
Of humanity followed by al belliger.
ent nations. the German Government
would then be facing a new situation
in which il must reserve to Itself com
plete liberty OF decision
The undersigned ayails himself of
this opportunity TO renew to the
American ambassador assurance OF
chest consideration"