The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-05-05
Britain and her allies.
Say THEY'VE Obeyed Law


German submarine forces have
had. IN fact. orders to conduc, sub
marine warfare In accordance with
tho general principles OF visit.
search and destruction OF merchan,
vessels recognized by International
law. the sole exception being the
conduct OF warfare against enemy
trade carried on enemy freight
ships encountered In the war zone
surrounding Great Britain.
with regard to these, no sssur-
ances ever have been given to the
government OF the United States.
! No such assurance was contained
in the declaration Of February y,
1915.
The German government cannot
admit any doubt that these orders
we're given and are being executed
, in good faith.
Say Errors Have Occurred
Errors actually occurred.
They can In no kind OF warfare
be avoided altogether, and allow
] ances must be made In the conduct
/ Of naval warfare against an enemy
resorting to all kinds Of ruses.
whether permissible or Illicit.
But apart from tho possibility Of
errors. naval warfare. just like land
warfare. implies unavoidable dan
gers for neutral persons and goods
entering the fighting zone.
/ Even In cases where naval ac-
( ton is confined TO ordinary forms
/ OF cruiser warfare. neutral persons
and goods repeatedly come TO grief
The German government has re-
peatedly and explicitly pointed out
/ the dangers from mines. as they
have led TO the loss OF numerous
ships.
SHIFT Blame TO U. 8.
The German government made
several proposals TO the govern
ment OF the United States In order
tn reduce TO a minimum for Amer
lean travellers and goods the In
herent dangers OF naval warfare.
I Unfortunately the government
Of the United States decided not
to accept the proposals.
Had II accepted. the government
OF the lnlleu SNht's Nohih h"''
been instrumental in preventing the
greater part Of the accidents that
American citizens have met with.
THE German government still
stands by it's offer to come to an
agreement along these lines.
II "As the German government has
repeatedly declared. II cannot dis
oense with the use Of submarines
az a weapon In the conduct OF war.
fare against enemy trade.
THE German government. how
ever. has now decided to make fur
Their concessions, adapting the
methods OF submarine warfare to
the interests OF neutrals.
"Tn reaching this decision the
German government Is actuated by
considerations which are above the
level OF the disputed question.
Discusses international Law
THE German government at
tacbes no less Importance 10 the
sacred principles Of humanity than
the government OF the United
States.
ut again fully takes into account
that both governments for many
years have co-operated in develop.
ing the international law in con
formlty with these principles, the
ultimate object Of which has always
been to conflne warfare on sea and
land to the armed forces OF the bel
ligerents, and TO safeguard, as far
as possible. non-combatants against
the horrors OF war.
"But altho the considerations are
OF great weight, they alone would
not, under present conditions. have
| determined the attitude OF the Ger.
man government.
Says England Started II
an answer to the appeal by the
government OF the United States on