The Elk Mountain pilot., 1916-05-13

s'S NS'U 8SsSs' s'"'S's '~S
made one great concession to
Americas demands by ordering
commanders of submarines TO
sink no more merchant vessels
without first visiting and search
ing them and giving those on
board a chance to save their
lives.
Berlin. Germany's reply to the
American note respecting submarine
warfare. delivered by Foreign Secre-
tary Won Jagow to Ambassador Ge-
rard. Is as follows:
The undersigned on behalf of the Inn
perial German government. has the honor
to present to his excellency the ambassa-
dor of the United States. James w. Ge-
rard. the following reply to the note OF
April 20 regarding the conduct OF German
submarine warfare.
The German government handed over
to the proper naval authorities for early
Investigation the evidence concerning the
Sussex as communicated by the govern
ment of the United States. Judging by
the results that the investigation has
h.herto yielded. the German government
Is alive to the possibility that the ship
mentioned in the note of April 16 as hav-
ing been torpedoed by German subma-
rine Is actually Identical with the Sus-
sex. ~
The German government begs to re-
serve further communication on the sub
Ject until certain points are ascertained
which are of decisive Importance for es-
tablishing the facts in the case.
Should II turn out that the commander
was wrong In assuming the vessel to be
man-of-war, the German government
will not fail to draw the consequences re-
sulting therefrom.
Denies Deliberate Intent.
In connection with the case OF the Sus-
sex the government of the United States
made series of statements, the gtst of
which IL the assertion that the incident Is
to be considered but one instance of a
deliberate method of indiscriminate de-
struction of vessels of all sorts. national
.ties md destinations by German subma-
riRe commanders.
The German government must emphat-
lcally repudiate the assertion The Ger
man government. however. thinks 1t of
little avail 10 enter into details In the
present stage of affairs. more particular
ly as the government OF the United States
omitted to substantiate the assertion by
reference to concrete facts.
The German government will only state
that 1t has Imposed far-reaching re-
straints upon the use of the submarine
weapon. solely In consideration of neu-
trails interests, in spite of the fact that
these restrictions are necessarily OF ad-
vantage tc Germsny's enemies. No such
consideration has ever been shown neu-
trails by Great Britain and her allies-
The German submarine forces have had
In fact. orders to conduct the submarine
warfare in accordance with tho general
principles of visit and search and the de-
struction of merchant vessels recognized
by International law. the sole exception
being the conduct of warfare against enc
my trade carried on enemy freight ships
encountered In the war zone surrounding z
Great Britain. With regard to these. no
assurances have ever been given to the
government of the United States. No
such assurances are contained in the
declaration of February 8. 1915.
Makes Further Concession.
As the German government repeatedly
declared. II cannot dispense with tho use
OF the submarine weapon In the conduct
OF warfare against .enemy trade. The
German government. however. has now
decided to make II a further concession.
adapting methods of submarine war to
the interests of neutrals.
In reaching this decision the German
government Is actuated by considerations
which are above the level of the disputed
question.
The German government attaches no
less Importance to the sacred principles
of humanity than the government of the
United States. Il again fully takes into
account that both governments for many
years co-operated In developing Interna-
tional law In conformity with these, prin-
ciples. the ultimate object of which has
always been to confine warfare on sea
and land to armed forces of belligerents
and to safeguard rs far possible nom
combatants against the horrors of war.
~ nj der n If
grent weight. they alone would not under
present circumstances have determine j
the attitude of the German government.
For in answer to the appea! by the gov
ernment of the United States on behalf
of the sacred principles OF humanity and
International law. the German govern
ment must repeat once more with all
emphasis. that II was not the German
but the British government which ignore
all accepted rules of international law and
extended this terrific war to the lives and
property of noncombatants.
In self-defense against the illegal con-
duct of British warfare, while fighting a
bitter struggle fer national existence.
Germany had to resort to the hard but
effective weapon of submarine warfare.
As matters stand, the German govern
ment cannot but reiterate regret that the
sentiments OF humanity which the govern
ment OF the United States extends with
such fervor to the unhappy victims of
submarine warfare are not extended with
the same warmth of feeling to many
millions of women and children who. ac-
cording to the avowed intention of the
British government. shall be starved, and
who. by sufferlngs. shall force the VIC
torious armies OF the central powers into
isnominious capitulation.
Accuses v. s. Of Favorit!sm.
The German government. In agree
ment with the German people. fails to
understand the discrimination. all the
more as II has repeatedly and explicit
Iy declared itself ready to use the sub
marine weapon in strict conformity
with .thc rules of International law. as
recognized before the outbreak of the
war IL Great Britain likewise was
ready to adapt her conduct of warfare