New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-09

1915 claimed that their proceeding
was only enacted in retaliation for the
violation of international law By tnelr
opponents, the American government
approached both parties Tor the pur-
pose Of trying 10 recstabllsh interna-
tional law as it had been IN force be-
fore the war.
Germany willing.
Germany was asked TO adapt the
use of her new weapon TO the rules
which had been existing for the former
naval weapons. and England not 20
interfere with the food supplies IN
tended for the non-combatant German
population, and TO admit their distribu-
ton under American supervision. Ger
many on March ], 1915, declared her
Willingness 10 comply with the pro-
posal Of the American governme nt'
whilst England, on the other hand, de-
clined 10 do so. By the Order in Coun-
Gil, March II, 1915, Great Britain
abolished even what had remained OF
the freedom Of neutral trade with Ger
many and her neutral nelghbors. Eng
lands object was 10 starve Germany
into submission by these illegal means.
lost their lives against the wish ana
intention. nevertheless in the further
course of the war complied with the
wishes of the American government re-
earding the use Of her submarines.
The rights of neutrals regarding legal
trading were, in fact, nowhere limited
by Germany.
"Then England made IT impossible
fg.,s rrrfT 10 n
rules of international law by aiming
nearly all merchantmen and by order
ing the use Of guns on merchant ves-
sells for attack. Photographic repro
ductions of those instructions have
been transmitted to neutral govern
ments with the memorandum OF the
German government of February .,
1916.
Orders Called a Contradiction.
"These orders are obviously in con-
tradiction with the note delivered py
the British Ambassador in Washington
TO the American government on OCTOBER
25. 1914. On account of the proposal
made by the United States on January
%. 1915, regarding disarmament, the
imperial government hoped that THESE
facts would enable the neutral govern
ments to obtain the disarmament Oh
the merchant ships OF her opponents
The latter, however, continued with
great energy to arm their merchaht-
men with guns.
"The principle Of the United States
government not to keep their citizens
off belligerent merchant ships has been
used by Great Britain and her allies
to arm merchant ships for offensive
purposes. Under these circumstances
merchantmen can easily destroy SUB
marines, and if their attack fails stun
consider themselves in safety by the
presence of American citizens on BOARD
"The order to use arms on British
merchantmen was supplemented by IN
structions to the masters of such ships
10 hoist false flags and to ram U-boats.
Reports on payment OF premiums ana
bestowals Of decorations to success
ful masters of merchantmen show the
effect of these orders. England's allies
have adopted this position.
As Germany Sees 1t.
"Now. Germany is facing the follow
ing facts; ;.x
national law compare American note
to England of November ., l9l5) mas
for one year been keeping neutral
trade from German ports and is max
ing German exports impossible.
"(B) For eighteen months, through
the extending Of cantraband provisions
i'm violation Of international law tcom-
pare American note to England OF No.
vember 5, 1870, the overseas trade OF
neighboring neutral countries, so lar
as Germany is concerned, has been
hampered.
"(C) The interception of mails in
violation of international law (com-
pare American memorandum to Eng
land of January 10, 1870 is meant to
stop any intercourse of Germany with
foreign countries.
"(D) England, by Systematically and
increasingly depressing neutral coun-
tries. following the principle of might
before right has prevented neutral
trade on land with Germany so as TO
complete the blockade Of the Central
Powers intended to starve their civil
population.
"lE) Germans met by our enemies
on the high seas are deprived OF their
liberty, no matter whether they are
combatant or non-combatant.
"(F) Our enemies have armed their
merchant vessels for offensive pur-
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