Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-04-28

all neutral rights aside In pursuit OF
it's immediate objects.
THE government OF the United
States has been very patient. At ev-
cry stage of this distressing expert
ence of tragedy after tragedy in which
it's own citizens were involved it had
sought to be restrained from any ex'
IRENE course Of action or OF protest
by thoughtful consideration of the
extraordinary circumstances of this
unprecedented war and actuated in
all 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-
ward the German nation. 1t has, OF
course, accepted the successive expla-
nations and assurances of the impe-
rial German government as given in
entire sincerity and good faith, ana
has hoped, even against hope, that it
would prove to be possible for the
German government so to order and
control the acts of it's naval comman-
ders as to square it's policy with the
principles of humanity as embodied
in the law of nations. 1t has been
willing to wait until the significance
OF the facts became absolutely unmis-
taxable and susceptible of but one in
depreciation.
THAT point has now unhapplly been
reached. The facts are susceptible
of but one Interpretation. The impe-
rial German government has been I'M
able to put any limit or restraints
upon it's warfare against either freight
or passenger ships. 1t has therefore
become painfully evident that the po-
sition which this government took at
the very outset~is inevitable. namely.
that the use of submarines for the de-
struction Of an enemy's commerce is
of necessity, because of the very char
acter of the vessels employed and the
very methods of attack which their
employment of course involves, in
compatible with the principles of hui
mainly, the long established and incon-
trovertible rights of neutrals, and the
sacred immunities of non-combatants.
Virtual UItmatum Sent.
Il have deemed it my duty, there
fore, to say to the imperial German
government that if it is still it's pur-
pose to prosecute ruthless and indis-
| criminate warfare against vessels OF
commerce by the use of submarines,
| Notwithstanding the now demon
strated impossibility of conducting
that warfare in accordance 1sftn what
the government of the United States
must consider the sacred and indis-
| putable rules of international law and
| the universally recognized dictates OF
| humanity, the government of the
| United States is at last forced to the
| conclusion that there is but one
course it can pursue; and that unless
the imperial German government
should now Immediately declare and
effect an abandonment Of it's present
methods of warfare against passenger
and freight carrying vessels this gov.
eminent can have no choice but to
sever diplomatic relations with the
government of the German empire al
| together.
"This decision | have arrived at
with the keenest regret; the POSSIBLE
| ity of the action contemplated | am
sure all thoughtful Americans will
look forward to with unaffected reluc'
lance. But we cannot forget that we
are in some sort and by the force OF
circumstances the responsible spokes.
man of the rights of humanity, and
| that we cannot remain silent while
those rights seem in process of being
utterly swept away in the maelstrom
| of this terrible war. We owe it to
| due regard for our own rights as
nation, to our sense of duty as pre-
resentative of the rights of neutrals
ton of the rights of mankind to take
this stand now with the utmost solem-
nifty and firmness
Il have taken it, and taken it in
the confidence that it will meet with
your approval and support. All sober
that the imperial German govern
ment, which has in other circum-
stances stood as the champion OF all
that we are now contending for in the
interest of humanity, may recognize
the Justice of our demands and meet
them in the spirit in which they are
made"
Preserving Grants Banner.