Williston graphic., 1916-05-11

ON GRAPHIC ............. ..,..., i.
government. Moreover, Great Brit
ain again and again has violated in
ternational law, SURPRISING all bound
in Qptraging neutral rights.
hte --latest. latest measure adopted b:
bunker coal contraband and establish
bunker coal alone is supplied to neu
trails, is nothing but an unheard Of at
tempt by way of exaction to fore
British trade war. ..
"The German people know that tn
government of the United States ha.
the power to confine the war to arm
ed forces of the belligerent countries
in the interest of humanity and main
tenance of international law. Tht
government of the United States
would have been certain of attaining
this end had it been determined to in
sist against Great Britain on the in.
controvertible rights of freedom o1
the seas. But as matters stand, the
German people are under the impress.
sion that the government of the Uni.
ted States, while demanding that Ger.
many struggling for existence shall
restrain the use of an effective
weapon and while making compliance
with these demands condition fo1
maintenance of relations with Ger
many, confines itself to protests
against illegal methods adopted to
Germany's enemies. Moreover the
German people knows to what con-
| siderable extent it's enemies are sup
piled with all kinds of war material
from the United States.
ut will, therefore, be understood
that the appeal made by the govern
ment of the United States to senti-
ments of humanity and principles of
international law cannot under the
circumstances meet the same hearty
response from the German people
which such an appeal otherwise al
ways is certain to find here. If the
German government nevertheless is
resolved to 60 to the utmost limit of
concessions it has been guided not
alone by the friendship connecting
the two great nations borne over one
hundred years, but also by the
thought of the dread doom which
threatens the entire civilized world
should the cruel and sanguinary war
be extended and prolonged.
"The German government, con-
scious of Germany's strength, twice
within the last few months announc-
ed before the world its readiness to
make peace on a basis safeguarding
Germany's vital interests, thus indi-
eating that it is not Germany's fault
if peace is withheld from the nations
of Europe. The German government
feels all the more justified in declar-
ing that responsibility could not be
borne before the forum of mankind
and in history after twenty-five
months of the wars duration the SUBJ
marine question under discussion be-
tween the German government and
the government of the United States
were to take turn seriously threat
ening the maintenance of peace be-
tween the two nations.
"As far as lies within the German
government, it wishes to prevent
things from taking such course. The
German government, moreover, is pre-
pared to do its utmost to define the
operations of the war for the rest of
its duration to the fighting forces of
the belligerents, thereby also insuring
freedom of the seas, q principle upon
which the German government be-
lieves, now as before, that it 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 follow
ing: In accordance with the general
principles of visit and search and the
destruction of merchant vessels recog-
nized by international law, such YES
sells, both within and without the area
of naval war zone, shall not be sunk
without warning and without saving
human lives unless the ship attempts
to escape or offer resistance.
"But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for existence
shall for the sake of neutral interests
restrict the use of an effective weapon
if the enemy is permitted to continue
to apply at will methods of warfare
the rules of international
law. Such a demand would be in
compatible with the character of neu-
trality, and the German government is
convinced that the government of the
OlllCcu OCuICS uOcS llOt CN1Ilh VI IAoh-
ing such a demand, knowing that the !
government Of the United States re-
peatedly declares that it is determined
to restore the principle of freedom of
the seas, from whatever corner it has
been violated.
"Accordingly the German govern
ment is confident that in consequence
of the new orders issued to the naval
forces the government of the United
States will also consider all impedi-
ments removed which may have been ,
in the way Of mutual cooperation to-
ward the restoration of the freedom
Of the seas during the war as was
in the note Of July %, 1915,
and it does not doubt that the govern
ment of the United States will now
demand and insist the British gov
shall forthwith observe the
rules of international law universally
before the war, as are laid
down in the notes presented by the
government Of the United States to
The British government, Dec. %, 1914,
and Nov. S, 1915.
"Shosld steps taken by the govern
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