The Yale expositor., 1916-05-11


duce to a minimum for American
travellers and goods the inherent dan
gers of naval warfare. Unfortunately
the government of the United States
decided not TO accept the proposals.
Had it accepted. the government OF
the United States would have been in
strumental in preventing. the greater
part of the accidents that Americans
have met with I'm the meantime. The
German government still stands by its
offer to come to an agreement along
these lines.
Can't Dispense With Submarine.
AS the German government repeat
eddy declared, it cannot dispense with
the use of warfare against enemy
trade. The German government. how
ever, has now decided to make a fur
Their concession, adapting methods of
submarine war to the interests of neu-
trails.
I'm reaching this decision the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
Oh the disputed question.
The German government attaches
no less Importance TO the sacred prin-
ciples OF humanity than the govern
ment of the United States. 1t again
fully takes into account that both
governments for many years coop
Grated In developing international law
in conformity with these principles,
the ultimate object of which has al
ways been TO confine warfare on sea
and land to armed forces of belliger-
ents and safeguard as far as possible
noncombatants against the horrors of
war.
Repeats Britain ls to Blame.
but although these considerations
are OF great weight, they alone would
not under present circumstances have
determined the attitude of the German
government. For in answer to the
appeal by the government of the Unit
ed States on behalf of the sacred prin-
ciples of humanity and international
law, the German government must re-
peat once more, with all emphasis.
that 1t was not the German but the
British government which ignored all
accepted rules of international law
and extended this terrible war to the
lives and property OF noncombatants,
having no regard whatever for the in
terests and rights of neutrals and non.
combatants who through this method
OF warfare have been severely injured.
In self-defense against the illegal
conduct of British warfare, while fight
ing bitter struggle for national ex-
istence, Germany had to resort to the
hard but effective weapon of subma.
rine warfare.
Discrimination Is Charged.
"As matters stand, the German gov.
cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments of humanity
which the government of the United
States extends with such fervor to
the UNHAPPY victims of submarine war.
fare are not extended with the same
warmth of feeling TO many millions
Of women and children who. accord
ing to the avowed intention of the
British government, shall be starved,
and who, by their sufferings, shall
force the victorious armies OF the cen.
trail powers into ignominious capitu-
Iation. The German government, in
agreement with the German people,
fails to understand this discrimination.
all the more as it has repeatedly and
explicitly declared itself ready to use
The submarine weapon in strict con.
Iormity with the rules of international |
avs as recognized before the outbreak |
Of the war If Great Britain likewise |
was ready TO adapt her conduct of war
ARE to these rules.
Britain Did Not Heed America.
Several attempts made by the gov.
srnment of the United States to pre- |
vail upon the British government to |
lct accordingly failed because of fat
'efusal on the part Of the British gov.
Moreover, Great Britain
again and again has violated interna-
ional law, SURPRISING all bounds in
'utraging neutral rights. The latest
measure adopted by Great Britain de-
'laring German bunker coal contra
'and and establishing conditions un-
Ter which English bunker coal alone
s supplied to neutrals is nothing but
IN unheard-of attempt by way of
'xaction to force neutral tonnage into
he service of British trade.
Severely chides United States.
The German people know that the
government of the United States has
he power to confine the war to armed
orces of the belligerent countries in
he interest of humanity and mainte-
lance OF international law. The gov
of the United States would
ave been certain of attaining this end
lad 1t been determined to insist
gainst Great Britain on the incontro.
'ertible rights to freedom of the seas.
But as matters stand the German peo-
lie are under the impression that the
oyernment of the IInfted Gfatao