The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-05-12
would otherwise always certainly find

half OF the sacred principles of human
ity and international law the German
government must repeat once more
with all the emphasis at its command
| that IL was not the German but the
British government which, ignoring
all the accepted rules of international
law, 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 that, through this method
OF warfare. have been severely injured.
In self-defense against the Illegal
conduet OF warfare by the British, and
while fighting bitter struggle for her
very national existence. Germany has
had to resort TO the hard but effec-
tive weapon of submarine warfare.
LAS matters stand. the German gov
eminent cannot but reiterate that the
sentiments of humanity, which the gov
eminent of the United States extends
with such fervor to unhappy victims
OF submarine warfare are not extend
ed with the same warmth OF feeling
TO many millions Of women and chill
dren who. according to the avowee In
tention OF the British government.
shall be starved. and who. by suffer
ing, shall force the victorious armies
OF the central powers into ignominious
capitulation.
Ready to Make Peace.
THE German government is con-
scious OF Germanys strength. Twice
within the last few months (we) an
nounced before the world our readi-
ress to make peace on basis safe
guarding Germany's vital interests
thus indicating that 1t is not Ger
many's fault If peace is withheld from
the nations of Europe.
THE German government feels all
the more justified to declare that re-
sponsibility could not be borne (by
Germany before the forum OF man
kind If, after twenty-one months OF
warfare, the submarine question I'M
der discussion between the German
and United States governments were
(had) taken turn to threaten seri
ously the maintenance of peace be-
tween the two nations.
"As far as lies with The German
government. it wishes to prevent
things from taking such course.
The German government, more
over is prepared to do its utmost To
confine the operations Of the war. dur
ing the balance Of its duration. to
fighting forces of belligerents. thereby
insuring the freedom of the seas. a
principle upon which the German gov
eminent believes now, as 1t did be
fore, to be in agreement with the gov
eminent Of the United States.
Naval Orders Issued.
THE German government, guided
by this idea. hereby notifies the gov
erment of the United States thai
!. German naval forces have received
the following orders:
"In accordance with the general
principles of search and destruction
of merchant vessels, as recognized by
international law, such vessels, both
within and without the area declared
war zone (the waters around the
British isles) shall not be sunk with
out warning and without saving HUI
man lives unless ships attempt to
escape or offer resistance
but neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for her very
, existence, shall, for the sake OF neu
| tot he ~ MOI
effective weapon (the submarine) II
the enemy Is permitted to apply al
will methods of warfare violating the
rules of international law.
Such a demand would be incom
patible with character (honor) and
neutrality. and the German govern
Lent is convinced that the government
of the United States does not think oil
making such demand, knowing that
the government of the United States
has repeatedly declared that 1t is de
termined to restore the principles OF
the freedom of the seas no matter
from what quarter it (the freedom Of
the seas) is violated.
Expects U. S. Cooperation.
Accordingly. the German govern
ment is confident that the conse
ouences Of the new orders issued to
, the naval forces will be that the Unit
ed States now considers all impedi
, ments removed, which have been In
the way OF mutual cooperation to
ward restoration Of the freedom o.
, the seas during the remainder Of the
, war. as suggested in the note Of July
% 1915. and it (the German govern
, ment does not doubt that the gov
eminent of the United States will now
demand and insist that the British gov
eminent shall forthwith observe the
international laws universally recog
nized before the war and which were
laid down in notes presented by the
, limited States to England on Decem
her %. 1914. and November 5. 1915.
should the steps taken by the Unit
cd States government fail to attain tn,
object 1t desires, !. e., to have tn,
laws OF humanity followed by all bel
lingerent nations. the German govern
ment would then be facing a new stu
alton in which it must reserve for 1t