The Elk Mountain pilot., 1916-05-13


vail upon the British government to
act accordingly failed because of fat
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.
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 tncontroverttbie
right to freedom of the seas. But as
matters stand the German people 10
under the impression that 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 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 Its enemies are supplied
with all kinds of war material from
the United States.
II 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 tho
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 ono
hundred years but also by the thought
of the great doom which threatens the
entire civilized world should the cruel
and sanguinary war be extended and
prolonged.
Germany Ready for Peace.
The German government. conscious
of Germany's strength twice within
the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on basis safeguarding Germany's VI
tai interests. thus Indicating that II 10
not Germany's fault II peace Is still
withheld from the nations of Europe.
The German government feels all tho
more justified In declaring that respon-
sibility could not be borne before the
forum of mankind and In history II
| after twenty-one months of the wars
| duration the submarine question under
| discussion between the German gov
| "rrment and the government OF the
| United States were to take turn scri-
| ously threatening maintenance of peace
between the two nations.
As far as lies with the German gov
ernment. II wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government. moreover. is prepared
/ to do It's utmost to conflne operations
| of the war for the rest of Its duration
to the nghting forces OF the belliger-
ents. thereby also insuring freedom OF
] the seas principe upon whi-ii the
German government believes now as
before the war that II Is In agreement
| with the government of the United
States
New Order to Submarines.
The German government. guided by
I this idea. notifies the government of
the United States that German naval
| forces have received the following or
der:
I'm accordance with the general prin-
ciplcs of visit and search and the de-
struction of merchant vessels. re osni7ei
| bv International law. such vessels. both
| within and without the area declared
a naval war zone. shall not he sunk
human lives unless the ship attempt to
escape or offer resistance"
But neutrals cannot expect that Ger
| many. forced to hght for existence.
shall for the sake OF neutral interests
restrict the use OF an effective weapon
| II the enemy is permitted to continue
to apply at will methods of warfare
violating rules of international law.
| Such derra,d woulf ~ '""~-7,'t -ls
with the character of neutrality. and
l al ,Ad
| that the government Of the United
| States does not think of making such q
| demand. knowing that the government
: of the United States repeatedly de-
'lnre 'hat is ." e'-r"se :" re tore
| the principle of freedom of the seas.
| from whatever quarter it has been vio-
| lated.
Urges v. S. Curb Britain.
Accordingly the German government
is confident that In consequence of the
new orders issued to the naval forces
the government OF the United States
| will also now consider all impediments
| removed which may have been In the
| way of mutual cooperation toward
| restoration of the freedom of the seas
during the war. as suggested In the
note OF July %. 1915. and 1t does not
| doubt that the government NJ the UNIT
| ed States will now demand and Insist
| that the British government shall
| forthwith observe the rules of interna-
| tional law universally recognized be-
| fore the war. as laid down in the notes
| presented by the government of the
| United States to the British govern
| ment December IS. 1914. and Novem-
ber e. 1915.
Should steps taken by the govern
ment of the United States not attain
the object II desires. to have the laws
| OF humanity followed by all bclliger-
1, ent nations. the German government
would then lie facing rev 81 va ''on.
in which II must reserve to itself com
pIete liberty of decision.
The undersigned avalls himself of
this opportunity to renew to the Amer
| lean ambassador assurances of highest