Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-05
TEXT OF THE GERMAN SUBMARINE REPLY

| to freedom Of the seas. But as mat
tiers stand the German people are I'M
der the impression that the govern
ment of the United States, while de- !
manding that Germany, struggling LOT
existence, shall restrain the use oil an
effective weapon and while making
compliance with these demands con-
dition for maintenance of relations
with Germany, confines itself to pro-
TESTS against Illegal methods adopted
by Germanys enemies. Moreover, the
German people know to what consid-
cradle extent its enemies are supplied
with all kinds of war material from
the United States.
Refuse L. S. Appeal.
ut will, therefore, he understood
that the appeal made by the govern
ment of the United States, to sentl-
ments of humanity and principles OF
! international law cannot under the cir
cumStanceS meet the same hearty re-
Spouse from the German people which
certain to find here If the German
: government, nevertheless, is resolved
: to go to the utmost limit of conces-
sions, it has been guided not alone by
the friendship connecting the two
great nations for over one hundred
: years, but also by the thought of the
great doom which threatens the entire
: civilized world should the cruel and
sanguinary war be extended and pro-
: longed.
The German government, conscious
of Germany's strength, twice within
> the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on basis safeguarding Germany's
vital interests, thus indicating that it
is not Germany's fault if peace is still
!, withheld from the nations of Europe.
The German government feels all the
more justified in declaring that re-
l Sponsibility could not be borne before
!: the forum of mankind and in history
if after Il months of the wars dura
{ ton the submarine question under dis
IuooIOL pNl"CCu lllC SISl man SoN Cd II
d ment and the government of the
: United States were to take turn Sc
riously threatening maintenance of
peace between the two nations.
= "As far as lies with the German gov
i eminent, it wishes to prevent things
h from taking such course. The Ger
S man government, moreover, is pre-
: pared to do its utmost to contine op-
e erations of the war for the rest of its
e duration to the fighting forces Of the
# belligerents, thereby also insuring
o freedom Of the seas, principle upon
b which the German government be-
}, lieves, now as before, that it is in
S agreement with the government Of the
: United States.
n THE German government, guided by
e this idea. notifies the government Of
q the United States that German naval
IL forces have received the following or
q der: In accordance with the general
e principles Of visit and search and the
e destruction of merchant vessels rec
! ognized' by international law such YES
T. sells, both within and without the area
% declared a naval war zone, shall not
Sc be sunk without warning and without
saving human lives unless the ship at
tempts to escape or offers resistance.
" But neutrals cannot expect that
IS Germany, forced to fight for existence
l. shall for the sake of neutral interests
Sc restrict the use of an effective weapon
/ if the enemy is permitted to continue
al to apply at will methods of warfare
"a violating rules of international law
ii Such a demand would be incompatible
s. with the character of neutrality, anC
at the German government is convinced
al that the government of the United
l. States does not think of making such
al demand, knowing that the govern
h ment of the United States repeatedly
ay declares that it is determined to re
&c store the principle of freedom of thu
seas, from whatever quarter it ha
been violated
ne Consider Obstacles Removed.
pd Accordingly, the German govern
in ment is confident that in consequence,
n of the new orders issued to the nava
n forces the government Of the Unitet
ve States will also now consider all i'm
ad pediments removed which may hav
at been in the way of mutual coopera
ifs ton toward restoration of the freedom
of the seas during the war, as sug
- gested in the note of July %, 1915, an
1t does not doubt that the government
Of the United States will demand an
insist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules of in
r ternational law universally recognize
+ before the war, as are laid down il
II the notes presented by the government
OF the United States to the British gov
. eminent, Dec. 2S, 1914, and Nov.
- 1915.
Should steps taken by the govern
ment of the United States not attai
the object in desire, to have the law
~ OF humanity followed by all belliger
va ent nations, the German government
ed would then be facing a new situatio
m IN which it must reserve to itself com
hs plete liberty Of decision
it The undersigned avails himself G
lg- this opportunity to renew to the Amer
tn lean ambassador assurances of high