The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-05-19
would otherwise always certainly find

In answer TO the appeal by the gov
eminent OF the United States on be-
half OF the sacred principles OF human
ity and international law the German
government must repeat once more
with all the emphasis at it's command
that IL was zoi the German but the
British government which, ignoring
all the accepted rules of international
law, extended this terrible war 10 the
having no regard whatever for the in
terests and rights OF neutrals and non
combatants that. through this method
of warfare. have been severely injured.
I'm self-defense against the illegal
conduct of warfare by the British. and
while fighting a bitter struggle for her
very national existence, Germany has
had to resort TO the hard but effec-
tive weapon of submarine warfare.
las matters stand, the German gov
eminent cannot but reiterate that the
sentiments of humanity. which the gov
eminent of the United States extends
with such fervor TO unhappy victims
OF submarine warfare are not extend
ed with the same warmth OF feeling
to many millions OF women and chill
dren who. according to the avowed in
tention of the British government.
shall be starved, and who. by suffer-
ing, shall force the victorious armies
of the central powers into ignominious
capitulation.
Ready to Make Peace.
The German government is con-
scious of Germany's strength. Twice
within the last few months (we) an
nounced before the world our readi-
ness to make peace on basis safe
guarding Germany's vital interests.
thus indicating that 1t is not Ger
many's fault If peace Is withheld from
the nations Of Europe.
g" German government feels all
thu more justified to declare that re-
sponsibility could not be borne (by
Germany before the forum OF man.
kind IL, after twenty-one months OF
warfare, the submarine question I'M
der discussion between the German
and United States governments were
(had) taken turn to threaten seri-
ously the maintenance of peace be-
tween the two nations.
LAS far as lies with The German
government, II wishes to prevent
things from taking such a course.
The German government, more
over. is prepared to do it's utmos st to
confine the operations Of the war, dur
ing the balance Of it's duration, to
fighting forces of belligerents, thereby
insuring the freedom Of the seas,
principle upon which the German gov
eminent believes now. as 1t did be-
fore, to be in agreement with the gov
eminent of the United States.
Naval Orders Issued.
THE German government, guided
by this idea, hereby notifies the gov
erment of the United States that
German naval forces have received
the following orders:
"Tn accordance with the general
principles Of search and destruction
international law, such vessels, both
within and without the area declared
war zone (the waters around the
British isles) shall not be sunk with
out warning and without saving hu-
man lives unless ships attempt to
escape or offer resistance
"But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for her very
existence, shall, for the sake OF neu-
trail interests restrict the use OF her
effective weapon (the submarine) IL
the enemy is permitted to apply at
will methods of warfare violating the
rules of international law.
Such a demand would be incom-
| patible with character (honor) and
neutrality, and the German govern
lent is convinced that the government
| of the United States does not think OF
| making such demand, knowing that
the government OF the United States
has repeatedly declared that 1t is de-
termined to restore the principles Of
the freedom of the seas no matter
from what quarter it (the freedom of
the seas) is violated.
Expects U. S. Cooperation.
Accordingly, the German govern
| ment is confident that the conse-
ouences of the new orders issued to
the naval forces will be that the Unit
ed States now considers all impedi-
ments removed. which have been in
the way Of mutual cooperation to-
ward restoration Of the freedom OF
the seas during the remainder of the
war. as suggested in the note OF July
%. 1915. and 1t (the German govern
ment does not doubt that the gov.
eminent of the United States will now
demand and insist that the British gov.
eminent shall forthwith observe the
international laws universally recog.
nized before the war and which were
laid down in notes presented by the
United States to England Oh Decem.
her 2S. 1914. and November 5, 1915.
SHOULD the steps taken by the Unit.
cd States government fail to attain the
object IL desires. l. e.. to have the
laws of humanity followed by ali bel.
Iingerent nations. the German govern
ment would then be facing a new stu.
alton in which it must reserve for t.
self complete liberty OF decision"
SECRETARY BlRRELL RESIGNS