Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-05-12

ment with the German psople. fails Il
understand the discrimination. all the
more as it has@repea tedly and explicit
ly declared itself ready to use the sub
marine weapon in strict conformity
with the rules of international law. as
recognized before the outbreak of the
war. If Great Britain likewise was
ready to adapt her 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 nat
refusal on the part of the British gov
ernment
Moreover Great Britain again and
again has violated international law,
surprising all bounds in outraging
neutral rights. The latest measure
adopted to Great Britain, declaring
German bunker coal contraband 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 service
of British trade war.
Alleges Favoritism
Is Shown to Britain.
The German people knows that the
government of the United States has
the power to confine the war to armed
forces of the belligerent countries in
the interest of humanity and mainte-
nance of international law. The gov
ernment of the United States would
have been certain of attaining this end
had 1t been determined to insist against
Great Britain on the incontrovertible
right to freedom of the seas. But as
matters stand the German people is
| mndnr tho iunnraccfnt. hat 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 making
compliance with these demands a 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 knows to what consid-
cradle extent it's enemies are supplied
with all kinds of war material from
the United States.
1t Will, therefore. be understood that
the appeal made by the government OF
the United States to sentiments of hu-
manity and principles of international
law cannot under the circumstances
meet the hearty response from the
German people which such an appeal
otherwise always is certain to find
| here.
II the German government. neverthe-
less. is resolved to go to the utmost
limit of concessions 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 tht
| entire civilized world should the crue
and sanguinary war be extended and
prolonged.
The German government conscious
of Germany's strength. twice Within
the last few months announced before
the world it's readiness to make peace
on a basis safeguarding Germany's vi
| tai interests, thus indicating that 1t Il
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 respon
sibility could not be borne before th'
| forum of mankind and In history Il
after twenty-one months of the wars
| duration the submarine question under
| discussion between the German gov
| ernment and the government of tn
/ United States were to take a turn seri
ously threatening maintenance of peace
! between the two nations.