Gilpin observer., 1916-05-11

ment with the German people, fails to
understand the Discrimination. all the
more as 1t has repeatedly and explicit
| ly declared itself ready to use the sub
marine weapon in strict conformity
| with the rules of International law. as
recognized before the outbreak of the
war. II Great Britain likewise was
ready to adapt her conduct of warfare
to these rules.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government to
act accordingly failed because of fiat
refusal on the part of the British gov
ernment.
Moreover. Great Britain again and
again has violated International law
surprising all bounds in outraging
neutral rights. The latest measure
adopted to Great Britain. declaring
German bunker coal contraband and
establishing conditions under which
English bunker coal alone Is supplied
to neutrals. is nothing but an unheard-
OF attempt by way of exaction to
force neutral tonnage into the service
of British trade war.
Alleges Favoritism
10 Shown to Britain.
The German people knows that the
government of the United States has
the power to confne the war to armed
forces of the belligerent countries in
the interest of humanity and mainte-
nance of international law. The gov
ernment of the United States would
have been certain of attaining this end
had 1t been determined to insist against
Great Britain on the incontrovertible
right to freedom of the seas. But as
matters stand the German people is
under the impression that the govern
ment OF the United States. while de-
manding that Germany. struggling for
existence. shall restrain the use of an
effective weapon. and while making
compliance with these demands con-
dition for maintenance of relations
with Germany. confines itself to pro-
tests against illegal methods adopted
by Germany's enemies. Moreover. the
German people knows to what consid-
cradle extent its enemies are supplied
with all kinds of war material from
the United States.
1t will. therefore. be understood that
! the appeal made by the government of
the United States to sentiments Of hu-
manity and principles of international
law cannot under the circumstances
meet the hearty response from the
German people which such an appeal
otherwise always is certain to find
here.
If the German government, neverthe-
less, is resolved to go to the utmost
limit of concessions. 1t has been guided
not alone by the friendship connecting
the two great nations for over one
hundred years. but also by the thought
of the great doom which threatens the
entire civilized world should the cruel
and sanguinary war be extended and
prolonged.
The German government, conscious
of Germany's strength. twice within
the last few months announced before
the world its readiness to make peace
on basis safeguarding Germany's vi
tai interests, thus indicating that it is
~ iC Of
withheld from the nations of Europe.
The German government feels all the
more Justified in declaring that respon-
sibility could not be borne before the
forum of mankind and in history II
after twenty-one months of the wars
duration the submarine question under
discussion between the German gov
ernment and the government of the
United States were to take a turn seri-
ously threatening maintenance of peace
between the two nations.
Tells Of New Orders
Given to War Vessels.
AS far as lies with the German gov
ernment. 1t wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government, moreover, is prepared
to do its utmost to- confine operations
of the war for the rest of its duration
to the fighting forces OF the belliger-
ents. thereby also insuring freedom of
the seas. principle upon which the
German government believes now as
before the war that 1t is in agreement
with the government of the United
States.
The German government. guided by
this idea, notifies the government of
the United States that German naval
forces have received the following or
der:
I'm accordance with the general prin-
ciples of visit and search and the de-
struction Of merchant vessels, recognized
by international law, such vessels, both
within and without the, area declared
a naval war zone, shall not be sunk
| without warning and without saving
| human lives unless the ship attempt to
| escape or offer resistance"
But neutrals cannot expect that Ger
many. forced to fight for existence
shall for the sake of neutral interests
restrict the use of an effective weapon
| II the enemy is permitted to continue
to apply at will methods of warfare
violating rules of international law.
Such demand would be Incompatible
with the character of neutrality. and
the German government is convinced
| that the government of the United
States does not think of making such a
demand. knowing that the government
| OF the United States repeatedly de-
clared that II Is determined to restore
the principle of freedom of the seas.
from whatever quarter 1t has been vio.
lated.
Wants Demand on Britain
To Obey International Laws.
Accordingly the German government
is confident that In consequence of the
new orders issued to the naval forces
| the government of the United States
will also now consider all impediments
removed which may have been In the
way of mutual cooperation toward
restoration of the freedom of the seas
during the war, as suggested in the
| note of July 23. 1915. and It does not
| doubt that the government of the Unit
| ed States will now demand and insist
that the British government shall
| forthwith observe the rules of interna-
tional law universally recognized be-
fore the war. as laid down in the notes
presented by the government of the
| United States to the British govern