The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-13


to come to an agreement along these
lines.
"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 decid-
ed to make further concessions, adapt
ing the methods of submarine warfare
to the interests Of neutrals. In reach
ing this decision the German govern
ment is actuated by considerations
which are above the level of the dis
puted question.
1.-The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prin-
cipIes of humanity than the govern
ment of the United States. 1t again
fully takes into account that both gov
ernments for many years have CO
operated in developing international
law in conformity with these princi-
pies, the ultimate object of which has
always been to conf1ne warfare on sea
and land to the armed forces of the
belligerents and to safeguard as far
as possible noncombatants against
the horrors of war. But although the
considerations are of great weight,
they alone would not under the pres
ent circumstances have determined
the attitude of the German govern
ment
''In answer to the appeal by the gov
eminent of the United States on be-
half of the sacred principles of hu-
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 interna-
tional law extended this terrible war
to the lives and property of noncom-
batants, having no regard whatever
for the interests and rights OF neu-
trails and noncombatants, which
through this method of warfare have
been severely injured. In self-de-
Tense against the illegal conduct of
British warfare, while fighting a bit
ter struggle for national existence,
Germany had to resort to the hard
but effective weapon of submarine
warfare.
LAS matters stand the German gov
eminent cannot but reiterate it's re-
greet that the sentiments of humanity
which the government of the United
States extends with much fervor to
the unhappy victims of submarine
warfare were not extended with the
same warmth of feeling to the many
millions of women and children, who,
according to the avowed intention of
the British government, shall be
starved and who, by their sufferings,
shall force the victorious armies of
the Central Powers into ignominious
capitulation. The German govern
ment, in agreement with the German
people fails to understand this dis
elimination all the more as it has re-
peatedly and explicitly declared itself
ready to use the submarine weapon in
strict conformity with the rules of in.
ternational law as recognized before
the outbreak of the war if Great Brit
ain 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 tc
act accordingly failed because of the
fat refusal on the part of the British
government. Moreover, Great Britain
ever since has again and again Yiolat
ed international law SURPRISING al
bounds and outraging neutral rights
The latest measure adopted by Great
Britain declaring German bunker Goa
contraband and establishing conditions
under which English bunker coal alone
can be supplied to neutrals is nothing
but an unheard of attempt by way Of
exactiOn to force neutral tonnage into
service and trade in war.
1.-THE German people know that the
government of the United States ha!
the power to confine the war to the
armed forces of the belligerent coun
| tries in the interest of humanity ant
the maintenance of international law
The government of the United State!
would have been certain in attainin,
this end had it been determined t.
| insist against Great Britain not inter
fering on the incontrovertible right
to the freedom of the seas, but a.
matters stand the German people i
under the impression that the govern
ment of the United States, while de
handing that Germany, struggling TO
existence, shall restrain the use of al
effective weapon, and while makini
compliance with these demands a cor
dition for the maintenance of relation
with Germany, confines itself to pre-
tests against a the illegal method
adopted by Germany's enemies. More
over, the German people know to wha
a considerable extent their enemie
are supplied with all kinds of war ma
terial from the United States.
cit will therefore be understood tina
the appeal made by the government c
the United States to the sentiment
Of humanity and the principles of il
ternational law cannot, under the eli
cumstances, meet with the sam
hearty response from the German De,
pie which such an appeal otherwise !
always certain to find here. II tn
wireless and a powerful searchlight.
| for xuTa0rv, I,,&- -. I.