Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-04-26

all neutral rights aside in pursuit OF
its 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 a thoughtful consideration of the
extraordinary circumstances of this
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. AMI
has hoped, even against hope, that it
would prove to be possible for the
German government so to order and
control the acts of its naval comman-
ders as TO square its policy with the
principles of humanity as embodied
In the law of nations Ii has been
willing TO wait until the significance
OF the facts became absolutely una. s.
taxable and susceptible of bat one in
depreciation.
That point has now unhappily been
reached. The facts are susceptible
of but one Interpretation. The impe-
rial German government has been IN
able to put any limit or restraints
Upon its warfare against either freight
or passenger ships. 1t has therefore
become painfully evident that the POI
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
manity. the long-established and incon-
troyertible rights of neutrals. and the
sacred immunities Of non-combatants
Virtual UItimatum Sent.
II have deemed it my duty. there
fore. to say to the imperial German
government that il it is stiil its pur-
pose TO prosecute ruthless and indis-
criminate warfare against vessels OF
commerce by the use of submarines.
Notwithstanding the now demon
Afrafnd frDpOsafb5tffy 80 ro,A,,c+gn-
that warfare in accordance with what
the government of the United States
must consider the sacred and indIs-
putable rules Of international law and
the universally recognized dictates cf
humanity. the government Of 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 If its 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 I 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 a
due regard for our own rights as a
nation. to our sense Of duty as a pre-
resentative Of the rights of neutrals
the world over, and to a joint concep-
ton Of the rights of mankind to take
this stand now with the utmost solem-
nifty and hrmness.
Il have taken it. and taken II I'M
the confidence that it will meet with
your approval and support. All sober
minded men must unite in hoping
that the imperial German govern
ment. which has in ether 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 liz the spirit in which they are
made