Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1916-05-11

Inc GeTmAu government cannot al
NIT any doubt that these orders were
given or are executed In good faith
Errors actually occurred. They car
In no Kind of warfare be avoided n
together. Allowance must be made
in the conduct OF naval warfare
against any enemy resorting TO al
kinds OF ruses, whether permissible
or illicit
"But apart from the possibility oil
errors, naval warfare, just like war
fare on land, implies unavoidable dan
gers for neutral persons and good.
entering the fighting zone. Even II
cases where the naval action Is con
fined to ordinary forms OF cruiser
warfare, neutral persons and good.
repeatedly come 10 grief
The German government has made
several proposals 10 the government
Of the United states In order Do ne
duce 10 a minimum Tor American tray
elers and goods the inherent danger.
Of naval warfare Unfortunately On.
government Of the United States de-
cidod not TO accept the proposals Hnl
II accepted, the government Of the
United States would have been in
strumental In preventing the greater
part OF the accidents that American
citizens have met with in the mean
time.
The German government still
stands by its offer to come 20 an
auraapNant o1opu thoua llpaa
AS the German government repeat
eddy declared, II cannot dispense with
the use OF the submarine weapon IN
the conduct OF warfare against enemy
trade. The German government, how
ever, has now decided TO make fur
Their concession, adopting methods Of
submarine war TO the interests OF
neutFals.
In reaching this decision the Ger
man government Is actuated by cor
siderations which are above the level
OF disputed. questions.
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 gov.
ernments for many years co-operatei
IN developing international law n
conformity with these principles. the
ultimate object OF which has always
been 10 confine warfare on sea and
land 10 armed forces OF belllgerents
and safeguard as far as possible non.
combatants against the horrors Of war
But, although these considerations
are OF great weight. they alone would
not, undor present circumstances,
have determined the attitude OF the
German government For In answer
10 the appeal by the government OF
the United States on behalf OF the
sacred principles OF humanity and in.
tcrnstional law. the German govern.
ment must repeat once more with all
emphasis that II was not the. German
but the British government which
ignored all accepted rules Of inter.
national law and extended this terrible
war 20 the lives and property OF non.
combataDts, having no regard what.
ever for the interests and rights OF
neutrals and non-combatants that
through this method OF warfare have
been severely injured.
an self-defense against the Illegal
conduct OF British warfare. while
lighting a bitter struggle for national
existence. Germany had 20 resort 70
the hard but effective weapon OF sub
marine warfare.
"As matters stand, the German gov.
eminent cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments OF humanity which
the government Of the United States
extends with such fervos 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 suferings, shall force
the victorious armies OF the central
powers Into ignominous equalization.
The German government IN agreement
with the German people fails % IN.
derstand this discrimination. all the
more as II has repeatedly and eX.
plicitly declared itself ready 20 use
the submarine weapon in strict con.
iormity with the rules OF international
law as recognized before the outbreak
of the war, II Great Britain Likewise
was ready to adapt the conduct OF
warfare 20 these rules.
Several attempts made by the gov.
srnment OF the United States 10 pro.
Tsil upon the British government 10
ict accordingly failed because Of fat
refusal on the part OF the British gov
snment. Moreover. Great Britain
again and again has violated lnterna.
.ional law, surprising all bounds In
neutral rights. The latest
measure adopted by Great Britain do.
,lartng German bunker coal contra.
,ahd and establishing conditions un.
Ter which English bunker coal alone
. supplied 70 neutrals Is nothing but
IN unhesrd-of attempt by way OF exac.
ion TO force neutral tonnage into thv
leryiee q British trade war
The German people know that the
government Of the United States has
he power to confns the war 10 armed
orces Of the belligerent countries, In
he interest Of humanity and mainte-
lance Of international law. The gov.
'rnment Of the United States could
AVE been certain Of obtaining this end
lad II been determined to insist,
Igainst Great Britain. on the moon.
rovertible rights TO freedom Of the