The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-05-11

| EmFEROH WILLIAM
the present stage of affairs, more par.
| ticularly as the Government of the
United States omitted to substantiate
the assertion by reference to concrete
facts.
"The German Government will only
state 1t has imposed far-reaching re,
straints upon the use of the submarine
weapon, solely in consideration of
neutrals' interests, in spite of the fact
that these restrictions are necessarily
OF advantage to Germany's enemies.
No such consideration has ever been
shown neutrals by Great Britain and
her Allies"
Submarine Orders.
"The German submarine forces
have had, in fact, orders to conduct
the submarine warfare in accordance
with the general principles of visit and
search and the destruction of mer.
chant vessels, recognized by interna-
tional law, the sole exception being
the conduct Of warfare against enemy
trade carried on enemy freight ships
encountered in the war zone surround
ing Great Britain. With regard to
these no assurance has ever been Civ
en- to the Government of the United
States. No such assurances are con-
tanned in the declaration of February
8, 1916"
Claim Errors Occurred.
"The German Government cannot
admit any doubt that these orders
were given or are executed in good
faith. Errors actually occurred. Thew
can In no kind of warfare be avoided
altogether. Allowances must be made |
IN the conduct of naval warfare |
against an enemy resorting to all /
kinds of ruses, whether permissible or
Illicit"
Unavoidable" Dangers to Neutrals.
But apart from the possibility of
errors, naval warfare just like war
are on land, implies unavoidable dan
'ers for neutral persons and goods
nterfng the fighting zone. Even in
asses where the naval action is con-
med to ordinary forms of cruiser war
are neutral persons and goods re-
come to grief
"The German Government has re-
pointed out the dangers from
nines that have led to the loss of
umerous ships.
Some German Pepper in This.
1.-The German Government has made
everal proposals to the Government
the United States in order to re-
uce to minimum for American tray
lers and goods the inherent dangers
naval warfare. Unfortunately the l
overnment of the United States de-
lded not to accept the proposals. Had
accepted the Government of the
nited States would have been instru-.
lental in preventing the greater part
the accidents that American cit
ems have met with in the meantime.
"The German Government still
;ands by its offer to come to an
sreement along these lines"
Makes Further Concession.
las the German Government re-
declared, it cannot dispense
18th the use of the submarine weapon
the conduct Of warfare against
1emy trade. The German Govern
O-AC'
AXE further concession, adapting
ethods of submarine war to the in.
ests of neutrals.
In reaching this decision the Ger
an Government is actuated by con.
derations which are above the Level
disputed question:" |;
Sacred Principles of Humanity. IL
The German Government attaches IL
} less Importance to the sacred u
1nciples of humanity than the Gov
nment of the United States. It G
ain fully takes into account that
tn governments for many years CO. D
Grated in developing international
" in conformity with these princi.
IS, the ultimate object of which has til
ways been to confine warfare on sea m
land to armed forces of belliger m
is and safeguard as far as possible in
n-combatants against the horrors eli
war. But although these consid re-
atoms are of great weight, thew WI
me would not under present cir w,
instances have determined the atti. Ge
ie The German Government. re