The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-05-12


government OF the United States de-
cided not TO accept the proposals. Had
il accepted the government Of the
United States would have been instru-
mental in preventing the greater part
OF the accidents that American citi-
zens have met with in the meantime.
Still Stands by Offer.
The German government still stands
by its offer 10 come 10 an agreement
along these lines.
AS the German government repeat
edly declared, il cannot dispense with
the use OF the submarine weapon in
the conduct OF warfare against enemy
ever. has now decided to make a fur
ther concession, adapting methods OF
submarine war TO the interest of neu-
trails.
In reaching its decision the German
government is actuated by considera-
tions which are above the level of the
disputed question.
The German government attaches
no less importance TO rhe sacred prin-
ciples OF humanity than the govern
ment OF the United States. Ii again
fully takes into account that both gov
ernments for many years co-operated
in developing international law in con-
formity with these principles. the ulti-
mate object OF which has always been
10 confine warfare on sea and land TO
armed forces OF belligerents and safe
guard as far as possible non-coufbat-
ants against the horrors OF war.
Britain Ignores All Rules.
But although these considerations
are OF great weight, they alone would
not under present circumstances have
determined the attitude OF the Ger
man government. For in answer to
the appeal by the government OF the
United States on behalf OF the sacred
principles of humanity and interna-
tional law the German government
must repeat once more with all EN-
phasis that II was not the German.
but the British government, which ig-
nored all accepted rules OF internation-
al law and extended this terrible war
to the lives and property OF non-com-
batants, having no regard whatever
for the interests and rights OF neutrals
and non-combatants that through this
method OF warfare have been severely
injured
In self-defense against the illegal
conduct OF British warfare. while fight
ing a bitter struggle for national ex-
istence. Germany had TO resort TO
the hard but effective weapon of sub.
marine warfare.
AS matters stand. the German gov
ernment cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments OF humanity
which the United States extends with
such fervor to the unhappy victims Of
submarine warfare are not extended
with the same warmth of feeling 10
many millions of women and children
who, according to the avowed inten-
tion OF the British government. shall
We starved, and who by sufferings.
shall force the victorious armies OF
the central powers into ignominious
capitulation.
The German government, in agree
ment with the German people. fails
to understand this discrimination, all
the more as It has repeatedly and ex-
plicitly declared itself ready TO use
the submarine weapon in strict confor-
nifty with the rules OF international
law as recognized before the outbreak
OF the war II Great Britain likewise
was ready to adapt the conduct of war
fare TO these rules.
Britain FIatIy Refused.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment OF the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government TO
act accordingly failed because Of fat
refusal on the part Of the British gov
eminent
Moreover. Great Britain again and
again has violated international law,
surprising all bounds in outraging
neutral rights. The latest measure
adopted by Great Britain, declaring
German bunker coal contraband and
establishing conditions under which
English bunker coal alone is supplied
10 neutrals, is nothing b~t an unheard-
of attempt by way Of exaction to force
neutral tonnage into the service OF
the British trade war.
The German people knows that the
government OF the United States has
the power to confine the war to armed
forces OF the belligerent countries. in
the interest OF humanity and mainte-
nance of international law.
Could Have Attained End.
The government OF the United
States would have been certain Of at
tanning this end had IL been deter
mined to insist. against Great Britain,
on the incontrovertible rights to free
dom OF the seas. But, as matters
stand, the German people is under the
impression that the government OF
the United States. while demanding
that Germany, struggling for exist
ence. shall restrain the use OF an ef-
fective weapon, and while making
compliance with these demands a con-
dition for maintenance OF relations
with Germany. confines itself 10 pro-
tests against illegal methods adopted