South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-08

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
neutral neighbors. England's object
was TO starve Germany into submits
sion by these illegal means.
Germany. after neutral citizens
had lost their lives, nevertheless in
the further course compiled with the
wishes Of the American government
regarding the use of her submarines.
The rights of neutrals regarding the
neutral trading were, in fact, no.
where limited by Germany.
England Interferes.
Then ENGLAND made it impossible
for submarines to conform with the
old rules of international law by
arming nearly all merchantmen and
by ordering the use Of guns on
merchant vessels for attack. Photo
graphic reproductions Of those in
structions have been transmitted TO
neutral governments with the mem
orandum of the German govern
ment of Feb. 8, 1915.
These orders are obviously in
contradiction with the note deliver
ed by the British ambassador in
Washington to the American gov
eminent on Aug. 25, 1914. on ac-
count OF the proposals. made by the
United States on Jan. %. 1916. re-
garding disarmament, the imperial
government hoped that these facts
would enable the neutral govern
ments to obtain the disarmament of
the merchant ships of her oppon-
ents The latter. however continued
with great energy TO arm their
merchantmen with guns.
The principle Of the United
States government not to keep their
citizens off belligerent merchant
ships has been used by Great Brit
ain ard her allies to arm merchant
ships for offensive purposes. Under
these circumstances merchantmen
can easily destroy submarines, and
if their attack fails, still consider
themselves in safety by the presen1 e
OF Americans citizens on board.
The order 10 use arms on British
merchantmen was supplemented by
instructions to the masters Of such
ships to hoist false flags and TO ram
L boats. Reports on payment Of
premiums and bestowal Of decora-
tons to successful masters Of mer-
chantmen show the effects Of these
orders. England's allies have adopt
ed this position.
Sum Up Situation.
= p,
lowing facts:
A blockade contrary to inter
national law Compare American
note TO England Of Nov. 5. 1870 Ia
for one year been keeping neutral
trade from German ports and is
making German experts impossible.
"B-For IS months through the
extending of contraband provisions
in violation of international law
Compare American note 70 Eng
land Of Nov. 3, 1870 the overseas
trade Of neighboring neutral coun-
tries, so far as Germany is concern
ed has been hampered.
"C-The interception Of mails in
violation Of international law (com-
pare American memorandum TO
England of Jan. 10, 1870 is meant
10 stop any intercourse Of Germany
with foreign countries.
"D-By Systematically and increas-
ingly depressing neutral countries,
following the principle of might be-
fore right. has prevented neutral
trade on land with Germany so as
TO complete the blockade of the cen
trail powers intended 70 starve their
civil population.
"E-Germany men by our en-
emies on the high sea are deprived
Of their liberty that no matter
whether they are combatants or non
combatants.
"F-Our enemies have armed
their merchant vessels for offensive
purposes theoretically making it i'm
possible 10 use our L boats accord
ing to the principles set forth in
London declaration compare Amer
lean memorandum OF Feb. S. 1850
The English White Book Of Jan.
5, 1916, on the restriction Of German
trade. boasts that by British meas
ures Germany's export trade has
been stopped almost entirely whilst
her imports are subject 10 England S
will.
The imperial government feels
confident that the people Of the
United States. remembering the
friendly relations that for the last
hundreds years have existed between
the two nations. will, in spite OF the
difficulties put into the way by our
enemies, appreciate the German