Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-05-06

1.-THE German government still stanos
by its offer to come to an agreement
along these lines"
Further Concession
"As the German government repeatedly
declared, it cannot dispense with the use
of the submarine weapon in the conduct
of warfare against enemy trade. The Ger
man government, however, has now oe'
cided to make a further concession ADAPT
ing methods of submarine war to the IN
terest Of neutrals.
"In reaching its decision the German
government is actuated by considerations
which are above the level Of the disputed
question.
1.-THE German government attaches no
less importance to the sacred princlples
of humanity than the government OF the
United States. 1t again fully takes into
account that both governments Tor many
wears co-operated in developing interna-
tional law in conformity with these prln-
ciples. the ultimate object OF Which mas
ALWAYS been to confine warfare on sea
and land to armed forces Of belligerents
and safeguard, as far as possible, non
combatants against the horrors OF war
But although these considerations are OF
great weight, they alone would not under
present circumstances have determined
the attitude of the German government
England Responsible
"For in answer to the appeal by the
government of the United States on be-
half of the sacred principles of humanity
and international law. the German gov
ernment must repeat once more, with all
emphasis. that it was not the German.
but the British government which ignor-
ed all accepted rules of international law
and extended this terrible war to the lives
and property of non-combatants, having
no regard whatever for the interests and
rights of neutrals and complaints
that through this method of warfare have
been severely injured.
In self defence 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 submarine
warfare.
Asks Sympathy
"As matters stand, the German gov
ernment cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments Of humanity which
the government of the United States
extends with such fervor to the un-
happy victims Of submarine warfare
are not extended with the same
warmth Of feeling to many millions of
women and children, who, according to
the vowed intention of the British
government, shall be starved and who,
by sufferings, shall force the victor
iOus armies of the Central Powers into
ignominious capitulation. The German
government, in agreement with the
German people, fails to understand this
discrimination, all the more as it has
repeatedly and explicitly declared it.
self ready to use the submarine weap-
on in strict conformity with the rules
of international law as recognized be-
fore the outbreak Of the war, If Great
Britain likewise was ready to adapt
the conduct of warfare to these rules.
EngIand's Violations
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 gov
ernment. Moreover. Great Britain
again and again has violated interna-
tional law. surprising all bounds in
outraging neutral rights. The latest
measure adopted by Great Britain, de-
claring German bunker coal contra
band and establishing conditions under
which English bunker coal alone is
supplied to neutrals, is nothing but an
unheard-of attempt by way Of exaction
to force neutral tonnage into the SER
vice Of British trade war.
The German people know that the
government of the United States has
the power to confine the war to armed
forces Of the belligerent forces. in the
interest of humanity and maintenance
of international law. The government
of the United States would have been
certain Of attaining this end had 1t
been determined to insist. against
Great Britain, on the incontrovertlole
right to freedom Of the seas. But, as
matters stand, the German people IS
under the impression that the govern
ment of the United States while de-
manding that Germany. struggling for
existence, shall restrain the use Of an
effective weapon, and while taking
compliance with these demands con-
dition for maintenance OF relations
with Germany. confines itself to pro-
tests against illegal methods adopted
by Germany's enemies Moreover, the
German people know to what consid-
cradle extent it's enemies are supplied
with all kinds Of war material from the
United States.
'It will, therefore, be understood
that the appeal made by the govern
ment of the United States to senti-
ments of humanity and principles Of
international law cannot, under the
circumstances meet the same hearty
response from the German people
which such an appeal otherwise al
wavs is certain to fiud here. If the
German government nevertheless is
resolved to go to the greatest limit of
concessions, it his been guided not
alone by the friendship connecting the
two great nations for over 100 years,
but also by the thought Of the great
doom which threatens the entire civ
ilized world should the cruel and SAN