Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-05-11

- N &e1e M ll Il 80 sAA
warfare, neutral persons and goods re-
peatedly come to grief.
THE German government has re-
peatedly and explicitly pointed out
the dangers from mines that have
led to the loss OF numerous ships.
u. 8. Blamed For Accidents"
THE German government has made
several proposals to the government
of the United States In order to re-
duce to minimum for American trav-
elers and goods the inherent dangers
OF naval warfare. Unfortunately, the
government OF the United States de.
cided not TO accept the proposals. Had
1t accepted, the government of the
United States would have been instru.
mental In preventing the greater part
of the accidents that American citi-
Gems have met with In the meantime
The German government still stands
by Its offer to come to an agreement
along these lines.
Cannot Dispense With u-1oats.
"As the German government repeat
eddy declared, 1t cannot dispense with
the use of the submarine weapon In
the conduct of warfare against enc
my trade. The German government,
however, has now decided to make
further concession. adapting methods
OF submarine war to the interests of
neutrals.
In reaching this decision the Ger
man government Ia actuated by CON
siderations which are above the level
of the disputed question.
Helped Develop Laws.
The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prin.
ciples Of humanity than the govern.
ment of the United States. II 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. But although these consid.
erations are OF great weight. they
alone would not, under present circum-
stances, have determined the attitude
of the German government.
6lames British Government.
For In answer to the appeal by the
government OF the United states on
behalf Of the sacred principles of hu.
mainly and international law. the Ger
man government must repeat once
more. will all emphasis, that 1t was
not the German but the British gov.
eminent which ignored all accepted
! rules of international law and ex-
tended this terrible war to the lives
| and property Of noncombatants. hay~
ing no regard whatever for the in
terests and rights of neutrals and
noncomhatants that through this meth.
cd of warfare have been severely In.
jured.
in selfdefense against the illegal
conduct OF British warfare while fight
Ing bitter struggle for national exist.
| ence. Germany had to resort to the
hard hut effective weapon OF snhmar.
Inc warfare.
U. s. Attempts Failed.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment of the United States to pre-
| vail upon the British government to
act accordingly failed because of n
| fiat refusal on the part Of the British
government. MOREOVER. Great Brit.
| ain again and again has violated in
ternational law SURPRISING all bounds
| In outraging neutral rights. The lat,
est measure adopted by Great Britain
declaring German bunker coal contra,
band. and establishing conaidtions un.
der which English bunker coal alone
Is supplied to neutrals. Is nothing but
an unheard.of attempt by way Of ex.
action to force neutral tonnage into
the service Of British trade war"
| Power TO consine War,
| THE German people know that the
government OF the United States has
| the power to Genuine the war 10
armed forces OF the helliserent coun.
tries in the interest of humanity and
maintenance Of international law. The
| government OF the United States
would have been certain of attaining
this end had It been determined to
| insist against Great Britain on the in