Middletown transcript., 1916-04-29

Recent events make the conclusion
inevitable that It Is only one instance
even though 1t be one OF the most ex
treme and distressing instances, of tht
spirit and method Of warfare which
the Imperial German Government hai
mistakenly adopted, and which from
the first expose that government to the
reproach Of thrusting all neutral right
aside in pursuit of its immediate OBJ
jects.
THE government of the United
States has veen very patient. Al
every stage Of this distressing expert
ence Of tragedy after tragedy in which
its own citizens were involved it has
sought to be restrained from any ex'
treme course Of action or of protest by
a thoughtful consideration Of the
extraordinary circumstances Of this
unprecedented war, and actuated In all
that it said or did by the sentiments
of genuine friendship which the people
OF the United States have always en-
tertained and continue to entertain to-
wards the German nation.
ut has, Of course, accepted the sue
cessive explanations and assurances Of
the Imperial German Government as
given in entire sincerity and good faith
and has hoped, even against hope, that
1t would prove to be possible for the
German government SO to order and
control the acts Of its naval command
ers as to square its policy with the
principles Of humanity as embodied in
the law Of nations. 1t has been will
ing to wait until the significance Of the
facts has become absolutely unmis-
taxable and susceptible Of but one
Interpretation.
But One Interpretation.
THAT point has now unhappily been
reached. The facts are susceptible Of
but one Interpretation The Imperial
German Government has been unable
to put any limits or restraints upon its
warfare against either freight or pas
senger ships. 1t has therefore become
painfully evident that the position
which this government took at the
very outset is inevitable, namely, that
the use Of submarines for the destruc
ton of an enemy's commerce is Of
necessity. because Of the very charac-
ter of the vessels employed and the very
methods Of attack which their employ
ment, Of course, involves, are inconl-
patible with the principles of human
ity, the long-established and incontro-
vert1ble rights of neutrals and the
sacred immunities Of non-combatants.
II have deemed it my duty, there
fore, to say to the Imperial German
Government that If It is still its pur-
pose to prosecute relentless and indis- |
criminate warfare against vessels of |
commerce by the use Of submarines,
the now demonstrated |
Of conducting that war
fare in accordance with what the gov |
ernment of the United States must con-
slider the sacred and indisputable rules
Of international law and the universal
ly recognized dictates of humanity, the
government Of the United States is at
last forced to the conclusion that there
is but one course 1t can pursue, and
that unless the Imperial German Gov
srnment should now Immediately de-
clare and effect an abandonment Of its
present methods of warfare against
and freight carrying vessels
his government can have no choice
out to sever diplomatic relations with
he government Of the German EN-
>ire altogether.
Spokesman For Humanity.
This decision have arrived at with
he keenest regret; the possibility Of
he action contemplated l am sure all
houghtful Americans will look for
yard to with unaffected reluctance.
But we cannot forget that we are by
he force of circumstances the respon-
ible spokesmen of the rights Of hui
nanity, and that we cannot remain
ilent while those rights seem in pro-
ess OF being swept utterly away in the
1alestrOm of this terrible war.
''We owe 1t to a due regard for our
wn rights as a nation, to our sense
f duty as a representative of the
lights Of neutrals the world over, and
0 just conception of the rights of
mankind to take this stand now with ,,
he utmost solemnity and hrmness. ,
Il have taken it, and taken 1t in :
be confidence that it will meet with
our approval and support. All sober.
linded men must unite in hoping that
ne Imperial German Government,
hich has in other circumstances stood
s the champion Of all that we are now
for in the interest Of hu-
lanity, may recognize the justice of 8
UT demands and meet them in the E
Dirit in which they are made" {