Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1916-05-11
GERMANY SENDS ANSWER TO AMERICAN U[T|MATUM
REGARDING U-B0AT WARFARE; EYES ON WASHINGTON
Puts Blame on EnqIano;

For in answer to the appeal by
the Government OF the United States
on behalf of the sacred principles of
humanity and international law the
German Government must repea once
more with all emphasis, that it was
not the German, but the British Gov.
ernment which ignored all accented
rules OF international law and ex.
tended this terrible war to the lives
and property of non-combatants. hav.
ing no regard whatever for the inter
ests and rights OF neutrals and non.
combatants that through this method
OF warfare have been severely injured
Had to Resort to Submarines.
I'm self-defense against the illegal
conduct OF British warfare. while
hghting bitter struggle for National
existence, Germany had to resort to
the hard but effective weapon of sub
marine warfare.
touches Upon EnaIand's Attempt to
Starve Germany.
AS matters stand the German Gov.
ernment cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiment of humanity which
the Government of the United States
extends with such fervor to the un.
happy victims OF submarine warfare
are not extended With the same
warmth of feeling to many millions of
women and children who. accord
ing TO the avowed intention of the
British Government. shall be starved
and who. by sufferings. shall force the
victorious armies of the Central Pow.
ers into ignominious capitulation.
Refers Often to Great Britain,
The German Government. in agree.
ment with the German people. fails
to understand this discrimination. all
the more as it has repeatedly and ex-
phcltly declared itself ready to use
the submarine weapon in strict con.
formity with the rules of international
law as recognized before the outbreak
OF the war, If Great Britain likewise
was ready to adapt the conduct OF
warfare to these rules.
Several attempts made by the Gov.
ernment OF the United States to pre-
vail upon the British Government to
act accordingly failed because of fat
refusal on the part of the British
Government. Moreover Great Britain
again and again has violated interna
tional law, surprising all bounds in
outraging neutral rights. The latest
measure. adopted by Breat Britain
declaring German bunker coal contra
band and establishing conditions un
der 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"
Again crIticlses United States.
THE German people know 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
nave been certain OF attaining this
end had 1t been determined to insist
against Great Britain on the incon-
eroYertible rights to freed ON OF the
seas. But as matters stand the Ger.
man people are under the impression
that the Government of the United
States, while demanding that Ger
many struggling for existence, shall
restrain the use OF an effective weapon
and while making compliance with
these demands condition for main.
tenance OF relations with Germany
confines itself to protests against IL
legal methods adopted by Germany's
enemies. Moreover, the German peo.
pie know to what considerable extent
its enemies are supplied with all
kinds of war material from the Uni
ted States"