Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-05-05
GET K.A|!||S''[[|Ril|''S K! is ( /: Il REPLY TO
AMERICAN ULT|MATUM.
Meets Demand Of United States Regarding Conduct Of
Submarine Warfare But Is Sarcastic III Nature, and
Imposes Condition That U. 5. Negotiate With Allies
for Limiting Warfare Upon the Seas

government made several proposals
to the government Of the United
States In order to reduce TO q min.
imum for American travellers and
goods the inherent dangers Of naval
warfare. Unfortunately, the govern.
ment OF the United States decided
not to accept the proposals. Had
1t accepted, the government OF
the United States would have
been instrumental In preventing
the greater part OF the acci-
dents that American citizens have
met with meantime. The German
government still stands by its offer
to come to an agreement along these
lines. 46
AS the German government has
repeatedly declared. 1t can not dis
penss with the use of submarines as
a weapon In the conduct OF warfare
against enemy trade. The German
government. however, has now de-
cided to make further concessions,
adapting the methods Of submarine
warfare to the interests Of neutrals.
In reaching this decision, the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
Isiderations which are above the level
Of the disputed question.
"The German government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prin-
ciples OF humanity than the govern
ment Of the United States. II again
fully takes into account that both
governments for many years have CO.
operated in developing the interna-
tional law in conformity with these
principles. the ultimate object Of
which has always been to coniine
warfare on sea and land to the arm
ed forces OF the belligerents and to
safeguard as far as possible nom
combatants against the horrors OF
war, But although the considera-
tions are Of great weight. they alone
would not under present circum-
stances have determined the attitude
of the German government
I'm answer to the appeal by the
government of the United States on
behalf OF the sacred principles of
humanity and international law. the
German government must repeat
once more. with all emphasis. that
II was not the German government,
but the British government. which,
by ignoring all the accepted rules OF
international law, extended this ter
rible war to the lives and property
Of non,comOatants. having no regard
whatever for the Interests and rights
OF neutrals and non-combatants.
which through this method Of war
fare have been severely injured. In
self-defense against the Illegal con-
duct OF British warfare while, fight
Ing q bitter struggle for national ex-
lstence. Germany had to resort to the
hard. but effective, weapon Of sub
marine warfare.
"As matters stand, the German
can not but reiterate Its
regret that the sentiments Of hu-
manity which the government Of the
United States extends with much fer
vor to the unhappy victims OF sub
marine warfare were not extended
with the same warmth OF feeling to
the many millions OF women and chill
dren who, according to the avowed
Intention OF the British government,
shall be starved, and who, by their
shall force the victorious
army OF the central powers into ig-
nominous capltulatlon. The German
government, In agreement with the
German people, fails to understand
this discrimination, all the more as
Il has repeatedly and explicitly de-
clared 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 would
adopt her conduct OF warfare to these
as.I. .sla '.I. .Hs+ .N l-a-aa ~
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