The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-05-09

Edu II dcCepleu lue So'oA AtA-ott'
the United States would have been
instrumental in preventing the great
er part of the accidents that Ameri-
cans have met with in the meantime.
The German government still
stands by its offer to come to an
agreement along these lines.
LAS the German government re-
peatedly declared, it can not dispense
with the use of the submarine weapon
in the conduct of warfare against
enemy trade. The German govern
ment, however, has now decided to
make further concession, adapting
methods of submarine war to the in
terest of neutrals.
In reaching this decision the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
sideratio2s which are above the level
of disputed question.
Stands for Humanity.
"The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prln-
ciples of humanity THAI the govern
ment cs the United States. 1t again
takes fully into account that both
governments for many years cooper
ated in developing international law
in conformity with these principles,
the ultimate! object Of which has al
ways been ito confne warfare on sea
and land to armed forces of belliger-
eats and safeguard as far as possible
non-combatants against the horrors
Of war. But although these considera-
tions are of great weight, they alone
would not Under present circum:,
stances have, determined the attitude
of the German government. For in
answer to the appeal by the govern
ment of the .Uaited States on behalf
of the Sacred principles. of humanity
and international law the German
government must repentance more
with all emphasis that. assaot 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 noa-combatants, having MO 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
fighting a bitter struggle for national
existence, Germany had to resort to
the hard but effective weapon of sub
marine warfare.
Charges Partially.
'<,As matters stand the German gov
ernment can but reiterate regret that
the sentiments of humanity which the
government of the United States ex-
tecds with such fervor to the unhap-
py victims of submarine warfare are
not extended with the same warmth
of feeling to many millions of VIC
men and children who, according to
the avowed Intention Of the, British
government, shall be starved, and
who by suffering shall force the VIC
torious armies of the central powers
into ignominious capitulation. The
German government, in agreement
with the German people, fails to un-
derstand this discrimination, all the
more as it has repeatedly and explic-
lily declared itself ready to use the
submarine weapon in strict conform
ity with the rules of international law
as recognized before the outbreak of
the war. if Great Britain, likewise
was ready to adapt the conduct OF
warfare to these rules.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government to
act accordingly failed because Of fiat
refusal on the part of the British
government. Moreover, Great Britain
again ard again has violated inter-
national law, surprising all bounds
in outraging neutral rights. The lat
est measure adopted by Great Brit
ain, declaring German bunker coal
contraband and establishing condi-
tions under which English bunker
coal alone is supplied to- neutrals is
nothing but an unheard-of attempt by
way of exaction to force neutral ton
mage into the service of British trade
war. ~ = a.!