The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-06

instrumental in preventing the great
err parts of the accidents that Ameri-
can citizens have met with in the
meantime. The German government
still stands by its offer to come to
an agreement along these lines.
Make Further Concessions
As the German government has re-
peatedly declared. it cannot dispense
with the use of submarines as a
weapon in the conduct of warfare
against enemy trade. The German
government, however, has now de-
ided to make further concession,
adapting the methods of submarine
warfare To the interests OF neutrals.
In reaching this decision the German
government is actuated by considera-
tons which are above the level of the
disputed question.
The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred
principles of humanity than the gov
eminent of the United States 1t
again fully takes into account that
both governments for many years
have co-operated in developing the
international law in conformity with
these principles, the ultimate object
of which has always been to confine
warfare on sea and land to the armed
forces of the belligerents and TO safe
guard AS far as possible non-connbat
ants against the horrors of war. But
although the considerations are oil
great weight, they alone would not
under the present circumstances have
determined the attitude of the Ger
man government.
British to Blame
In answer to the appeal by the gov
eminent of the United States on be-
half of. the sacred principles of hui
mainly and international law, the Ger
man government must repeat once
more with all emphasis that it was
, not the German government, but the
British government. which, by ignor-
ing all the accepted rules of inter
national law, extended this terrible
war to the lives and property of nom
com hatants. having no regard what
ever for the interests and rights of
neutrais and -combatants. which,
through this method of warfare, have
been severely injured. In self-defense
OF the Illegal conduct OF British war
fare, while lighting a bitter struggle
for national existence, Germany had
To resort to the hard but effective
, weapon of submarine warfare.
AS matters stand the German govern
ment cannot but retterate it's regret
that the sentiments of humanity which
the government OF the United States
extends with such fervor to the .un-
were not extended with the same
warmth of feeling to the many millions
| of women and children who, accord
British government. shall be. starved
and who, by their sufferings, shall force
/ the victorious armies of the GENITAL
! powers into ignominious equalization
Charges Discrimination.
The German government. in agree
ment with the German people, falls to
understand this discrimination all the
more as 1t has repeatedly and explicit
~ declared itself ready to use the sub
marine weapon In strict conformity
with the rules of International law as
war IL Great Britain likewise would
adapt her conduct of warfare to these
rules.
Several attempts made by the gov
eminent of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government TO
act accordingly failed because OF the
government. Moreover. Great Britain
ever since has again and again vio-
lated International law, SURPRISING all
BOUNDS ,. and oatrsEns neutral rights
! Britain declaring German bunker coal
contraband and establishing conditions
under which England bunker coal
alone can be supplied to neutrals. is
nothing but an unheard attempt by
way of exaetion TO force neutral tom
mage into service and trade in war.
Complains OF Partially.
The German people know that the
government of the United States has
the power to confine the war to the
armed forces of the belligerent coun-
tries in the interest of humanity and
the maintenance of international law.
The government of the United States
would have been certain In attain
ling this end had 1t been determined
to insist against Great Britain on the
Fcoitroverfthde points to the freedom
of the seas tevidentiy meaning had
/ il been determined to insist upon
(Continued on Second PaxAl