The state herald., 1916-05-12

of the United States In order to re-
duce to minimum for American
travellers and goods the inherent dan.
gers of naval warfare. Unfortunately
the government of the United StaAcs
decided not to accept the proposals
Had 1t accepted. the government of
the United States would have been in
strumental in preventing the greater
part Of the accidents that Americans
have met with in the meantime. The
German government still stands by It's
offer to come to an agreement along
these lines.
Can't Dispense With Submarine.
"As the German government repeat
edly declared. 1t cannot dispense with
the use of warfare against enemy
trade. The German government, how
ever. has now decided to make a fur.
ther concession. adapting methods of
submarine war to the interests of neu.
trails.
In reaching this decision the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
Of the disputed question.
"The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prin-
ciples of humanity than the govern
ment Of the United States. 1t again
fully takes into account that both
governments for many years coop.
Grated in developing international 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 belliger'
ents and safeguard as far as possible
noncombatants against the horrors OF
war.
Repeats Britain 10 to Blame.
But although these considerations
are OF great weight. they alone would
not under present circumstances have
determined the attitude Of the German
government. For In answer to the
appeal by the government Of the Unit.
ed States on behalf of the sacred prin.
ciples of humanity and international
law. the German government must re-
peat once more, with all emphasis.
that It was not the German but the
British government which ignored all
accepted rules Of international law
and extended this terrible war to the
lives and property Of noncombatants
having no regard whatever for the In
terests and rights of neutrals and non
combatants who through this method
Of warfare have been severely injured
In self-defense against the illegal
conduct Of British warfare. while fight
ing bitter struggle for national ex
istence, Germany had to resort to the
hard but effective weapon OF subma
rine warfare
Discrimination 10 Charged.
"As matters stand. the German gov
ernment cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments OF humanity
which the government of the United
States extends with such fervor tc
the UNHAPPY victims Of submarine war
fare are not extended with the sam,
warmth OF feeling to many millioni
OF women and children who. accord
ing to the avowed intention OF the
British government. shall be starved
and who. by their sufferings. shal
force the victorious armies OF the cen
tral powers into ignominious capitu
lation. The German government. II
agreement with the German people
fails to understand this discrimination
all the more as It has repeatedly ant
explicitly declared itself ready to us,
the submarine weapon In strict con
formity with the rules OF internationa
laws as recognized before the outbreai
OF the war II Great Britain likewis,
was ready to adapt her conduct OF war
fare to these rules.
Britain Did Not Heed America.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment Of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government te
act accordingly failed because OF ial
refusal on the part Of the British gov
ernment. Moreover, Great Britain
again and again has violated interna
tional law. surprising all bounds II
outraging neutral rights. The --latest
measure adopted by Great Britain do
claring German bunker coal contra
band and establishing conditions un
der which English bunker coal aion,
is supplied to neutrals Ia nothing bul
an unheard-of attempt by way Of
exaction to force neutral tonnage into
the service of British trade.
Severely Chldes United States.
"Thc German people know that tn,
government OF tho United States ha,
the power to coniine the war to armed
forces OF the belligerent countries Ia
the interest OF humanity and maintc
nance of international law, The goy