The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-04-29


unhappiiy, it does not stand alone.
Recent events make the conclusion
inevitable that it is only one instance,
even though it be one of the most ex-
treme and distressing instances, Of the
spirit and method of warfare which
the imperial German government has
mistakenly adopted, and which, from
the first, exposed that government to
the reproach of thrusting all neutral
rights aside in pursuit of its immedi-
ate objects.
United States Is Patient
1.-The government of the United
States has been very patient At
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 senti-
ments of genuine friendship, which
the people of the United States always
have entertained and continued to en-
terrain towards the German nation.
II AoSs VI COUlSCs dCCSplOu SAS OQC-
cessiye explanations and assurances
of the imperial German government as
given in entire sincerity and good
faith, and has hoped, even against
hope, that it would prove to be posi-
bic for the German government so to
order and control the acts of its naval
commanders as to square its policy
with the principles of humanity as en-
bodied in the law of nations.
Only One Interpretation.
at has been willing to wait until
the significance of the facts become
absolutely unmistakable and suscepti-
BILE of but one Interpretation.
THAT point has now unhappily been
reached. The facts are susceptible Of
but one Interpretation.
1.-THE imperial German government
has not been able to put any limits
or restriction upon its warfare against
either freight or passenger ships. 1t
has therefore become painfully evident
that the position which this govern
ment took at the very outset is newt
able, namely, that the use of submar-
ines for the destruction of an enemy's
commerce is of necessity, because of
the very character of the vessels en-
ployed and the very methods of attack
which their employment of course in
wolves, incompatible with the princi-
pies of humanity, the long established
and incontrovertible rights of neutrals
and the sacred immunities of non-com-
batants.
Ultimatum to Germany.
81 have deemed it my duty, there
fore, to say to the German imperial
government that if it is still its pur-
pose to prosecute relentless and indis-
eliminate warfare against vessels Of
commerce by the use of submarines,
Notwithstanding the now demonstrat-
ed impossibility of conducting that
warfare in accordance with what the
government of the United States must
consider the sacred and indisputable
rules of international law and the uni
versal1y recognized dictates of human
ity, the conclusion that there is but
one course it can pursue; and that
unless the imperial German govern
menS should now Immediately declare
and effect an abandonment of its pres
ent methods of warfare against pas
senger and freight carrying vessels,
this government can have no choice
but to sever diplomatic relations with
the government of the German en-
pire altogether.
Acts With Keen Regret.
''This decision have arrived at with
the keenest regret. The possibility of
the action contemplated l am sure all
thoughtful Americans will look for.
ward to with unaffected reluctance.
1--WE can not forget that we are in
| some sort and, by the force of circum-
stances, the responsible spokesman OF
the rights of humanity
1--WE can not remain silent while
those rights seem in process of being
swept utterly away in the maelstrom
of this terrible war.
1--WE owe it to due regard for our
own rights as a nation, to our sense
| of duty as a representative of the
| rights of neutraIs the world over, and
| to a just conception of the rights OF
mankind to take this stand now with
the utmost solemnity and firmness.
81 have taken this stand and taken
| it in the confidence that it will meet
with your approval and support. AL
sober minded men must unite in hop
ing that the imperial German govern.
ment, which has in other circum
stances stood as the champion of al
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"
Greece Protests to Allies.