The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-05-10
Germany's Reply
to American Note
Continued from Page One.)

to concrete facts.
"The German Government will on
ly state it has. imposed far-reaching
restraints upon the use of the SUBJ
marine weapon, soleiy in considera-
ton of neutrals' interests, in spite of
the fact that these restrictions are
necessarily of advantage to Ger
many's enemies. No such considera-
ton 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
merchant vessels, recognized by in
ternational law, the sole exception
being the conduct of warfare against
enemy trade carried on enemy freight
ships encountered in the war zone
surrounding Great Britain. With re-
gard to these no assurance has ever
been given to the Government of the
United States. No such assurances
are contained 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. They
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
fare on land, implies unavoidable dam
gers for neutral persons and goods
entering the fighting zone. Even in
cases where the naval action is con-
fined to ordinary forms of cruiser
warfare neutral persons and goods
repeatedly come to grief.
"The German Government has re-
peatedly pointed out the dangers
from mines that have led to the loss
of numerous ships.
Some German Pepper in This.
"The German Government mas
made several proposals to the Gev
ernment of the United States in OF
der to reduce to a minimum for Am.
erican travellers and goods the inner
ent dangers of naval warfare. Cnfor-
tunately the Government of the
United States decided not to accept
the prosopsals. Had it accepted the
Government of the United States
would have been instrumental in pre-
venting the greater part of the acci-
dents that American citizens have
met with in the meantime.
"The German Government still
stands by its offer to come to an
agreement along these lines"
Makes Further Concession.
GAS the German Government re-
peatedly declared, it cannot dispense
with the use of the submarine wea-
pom in the conduct of warfare
against enemy trade. The German
Government, however, has now de-
cided to make a further concession,
adapting methods of submarine war
to the interests of neutrals.
"In reaching this decision the Ger
man Government is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
of disputed question"
Sacred Principles of Humanity.
"The German Government attaches
no less importance to the sacred
principles of humanity than the Gov
ernment of the United States. 1t
again fully takes into account that
both governments for many years CO.
operated in developing international
law in conformity with these princi-
plse, the ultimate object of which
has 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.
Puts Blame on England.
"For in answer to the appeal by
the Government of the United States
on behalf of the sacred principles OF
humanity and international law the
German Government must repeat
once more with all emphasis, chat 1t
was not the German, but the British
Government which ignored all &C:
cepted rules of international law and
extended this terrible war TO the lives
and property of non-combatants, nav
ing no regard whatever for the inter
ests and rights of neutrals and non.
tombatants that through this method
Of warfare have been severely IN
jured.
Had to Resort to Submarines.
"In self-defense against the Illegal
conduct of British warfare, while
fighting bitter struggle for National
existence. Germany had to resort to
the hard but effective weapon of Sab
marine warfare.
Touches Upon England's Attempt to
Starve Germany.
GAS matters stand the German Gov,
ernment cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiment of humanity which
the Government of the United State:
extends with such fervor to the TN
happy victims of submarine warfare
are not extended with the same
warmth of feeling to many millions
of women and children who, accord