The Washington herald., 1916-05-06


ana noncombatants that through this
method OF warfare have been severely
injured
In self-defense against the illegal con-
duet OF warfare by the British, and while
nghting bitter struggle for her very
national existence, Germany has had to
resort to the hard but affective weapon
OF submarine warfare.
Refers TO Blockade.
"As matters stand, the German gov
ernment cannot but reiterate that the
sentiments Of humanity, which the gov
ernment of the United states extends
with such fervor to unhappy victims of
submarine warfare, are not extended
with the same warmth OF feeling to many
millions of women and children who, ac-
cordlng to the avowed intention of the
BRUSH government shall be starved and
VINO, by suffering, shall force the VIC
torious armies Of the central powers in
to tgnomonious capitulation.
The German government in agree
ment with las well as) the German peo-
ple' fails to understand this discrimins-
ton, all the more as this government
has explicitly declared itself ready to
use the submarine in strict conformity
with the rules OF international law as
recognized before the outbreak OF the
war II Great Britain will likewise adapt
her conduct of the war to these rules
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment of the United States to prevail
upon the British government to act ac-
cordingly Din accord with the principles
OF international law failed, because Of
the flat refusal on the part of England.
Coal Order Scored.
Moreover. Great Britain ever since
the beginning Of the war again and
again violated international law, sur
passing all bounds in outraEing neu-
trail rights. The latest measure adopt
ed by Great Britain in declaring Ger
man bunker coal contraband and es-.
tablishing conditions under which only
English bunker coal can be supplied to
neutrals is nothing but an unheard of
attempt. by the way OF the exaction
OF force, to compel neutral tonnage to
enter the service OF the British
The German people know that the
government of the United States has
power to confne the war to armed
forces and to belligerent countries in
the interests OF humanity and to main
tain the integrity of international law.
The government of the United
States would have been certain in at
tanning its end had IT been determined
to insist (protesD against Great Brit
ain on its incontrovertible rights to
the freedom of the seas.
But as matters stand, the German
people are under the impression that
the government of the United States
while demanding that Germany, strug-
Cling for existence. shall restrain the
use of its effective weapon. while
making compliance OF these demands
Cof the United States), for the main
tenance OF (amicabIe) relations, Ger
many confined itself to protests against
illegal methods adopted by Germany's
enemies.
Refers to MunItion Contracts.
Moreover the German people know
to what considerable extent the enemies
(of Germany are supplied with all kinds
of war materials from the United
States.
1T will. therefore. be understood that
the appeal by the United States govern
ment to the sentiments of humanity and
principles OF international law cannot
meet with the same hearty response from
the German people which such an appeal
would otherwise always certainly find
here
III the German government neverthe-
less resolved to go TO the utmost limit
Of concessions II has not alone been
guided by the friendship connecting the
two great nations for more than one hun
dred years, but also by the thought OF
the great doom which threatens the en-
tire civilized world should the cruel and
sanguinary war he extended and pro-
longed.
The German government is conscious
OF Germanys strength Twice within the
last few months (we) announced before
the world our readiness TO make peace on
basis safeguarding GermRny's vital
interests, thus Indicating that II Is not
Germany's fault IL peace is withheld
from the nations of Europe.
Would Prevent Break.
The German government feels all the
more justified to declare that response
bility could not be borne Cby Germany
before the Forum OF Mankind H. after
twenty-one months of warfare. the sub
marine question under discussion between
the German and United States govern
ments were (had) taken a turn to threat
en- seriously the maintenance Of peace
between the two nations
AS far as lies with the German gov
eminent it wishes to prevent things from
taking such a course
The German government moreover is
prepared to do its utmost to confne the
operations OF the war, during the bal
ance Of its duration. to fighting forces OF
belligcrents, thereby insuring the free
dom of the seas. principle upon which
the German government believes now
as it did before, to be in agreement with
the government OF the United States
THE German government. guided by
this idea hereby notifies the government