New Britain herald., 1916-05-05
NEW, BRITAIN DAILY HERA[D FR1DH7, MAY 5,

1 were gwen or are executed in good falth. Errors actually occurred They can in no kind of warfare be avoided altogether Allowances must | De made in the conduct of naval war 1 rare against an enemy resOrting to all kinds of ruses; whether permisslbl9 or illicit
 But apart from the possibility o1 errors, naval warfare, just like war fare on land, implies unaVoldable dangers 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.
 Berlin BIames United States.
 ''The German government has e. peatedly and explicitly pointed out the danger from mines that have led to the loss of numerous ships.
 The German government has made several proposals to the government of the United States in order to re- duce to a minimum for American travellers and goods the inherent daH- gers of naval warfare. Unfortunately the government of the United States decided not to accept the proposals Had it accepted the government of the United States would have been instrumental in preventing the great CT part of the accidents that American citizens have met with in the mean- time.
 The German government still stands by it's offer to come to an agreement along these lines.
 Will Make Further Concession.
 "As the German government repeat edly declared, it cannot dispense with the use of the submarine weapon in the conduct of warfare against enemy trade. The German government, however, has now decided to make further concession adapting methods of submarine war to the interests or neutralS.
 'In reaching it's decision the Ger man government is actuated by con- alterations which are above the level of the disputed question.
 ''The German government attaches no less importance to the sacred prln- ciples of humanity than the govern ment of the United States. It again fully takes into account that both governments TOT nld1N years CO-OPSl- ated in developing interna tiOnal law in conformity with these principles, the ultimate object of which has al- ways been to confine warfare on sea and land to armed forces of belligcr- erents and safeguard as far as possible on-com batants against the horrors of war. But although these consilera- tions are of great weight they alone ri stances have determined the attitude of the German government. For, Ill answer to the appeal by the govcrn- ment of the United States on behalf of the sacred principles of humanity and international law the German gov ernment must repeat once more with all emphasis, that 1t was not the German but the British gov ernment which ignored all accepted rules of international law and ex tended this terrible war on the lives and property of non- -cOmbatants, nav ing no regard whatever for the in terests and rights of neutrals and non combatants that through this method of warfare, have been severely in jured.
 'In self-defense against the illeSa1 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.
 Berlin's Sarcasm.
 AS matters stand, the German gov ernment cannot but reiterate regret that the sentim ments of humanity which the government of the United States extends with such fervor to the unhappy victims of submarine war fare are not extended with the same tn of feeling to many millions of women and children who, accord ing to the vowed intention of the British government, shall be starved and who, by sufferings, shall force the victorious armies of the Central Powers into ignominious equalization The German government, in agree ment with the German people, fails to understand this discrimination, al the more as it has repeatedly and eX- plicitly declared itself ready to use the submarine weapon in strict con- formity with the rules of internatiOna law as recognized before the outbreak of the war, if Great Britain likewise was ready to adapt the conduct Ol warfare to these rules.
 Several attempts made by the government of the United States tC to act accordingly failed because C1 l flat refusal on the part of the British