The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1916-05-11

while the Note i Not Altogether
Satisfactory Warrington
Sees Assurance Asked

Washington, D. c., May s.
There will be no break in diplo-
matte relations between the Unit
ed States and: Germany on the
basis If the German reply to the
American ultimatum on the sub
marine warfare.
If the German Government
holds submarine commanders to
q strict compliance with the or
ders as outlined in the note to the
United States, there will be a
continuation of friendly relations
between the two governments.
If, however, any neutral ship
should be attacked in disregard
Of the orders as set forth in the
note, rupture inevitably would
follow, Ambassador Gerard would
be called from Berlin and Count
Won Bernstorff would be given
his passports without further ado.
The following are the conclud-
ing paragraphs Of the American
note sent to Germany April 10:
eff it is the purpose of the Inn
perial Government to prosecute
relentless and indiscriminate war
fare against vessels of commerce
by the use Of submarines without
regard to what the Government Of
the United States must consider
the sacred and indisputable rules
Of international law the univer-
sally recognized dictates of hui
mainly, the Government Of the
United States is at last forced to
the conclusion that there is but
one course it can pursue.
"Unless the Imperial Govern
ment should now Immediately de-
clare and effect an abandonment
of its present methods Of submar-
inc warfare against passenger and
freight-carrying vessels, the Gov
eminent of the Uninted States can
have no choice but to sever diplo-
matte relations with the German
Empire altogether.
''This action the Government of
the United States contemplates
with the greatest reluctance, but
feels constrained to take in behalf
of humanity and the lights of neu-
trail nations"
The reply was handed to Am
bassador Gerard last Thursday
the essential features Of which
follow:
=, The German Government will
only state that it has imposed far
reaching restraints upon the use
of the submarine weapon, solely,
in consideration of neutral inter-
ests, in spite Of the fact that these
restrictions are necessarily of ad-
vantage to Germany's enemies.
>. The, German submarine forces
have had, in fact, orders to con-
duct the submarine warfare in
accordance with the general
principles of visit and search and
the destruction of merchant YES
sells recognized by international
law, the sole exception being the
conduct of warfare against enemy
trade carried on enemy freight
ships encountered in the war zone
surrounding Great Britain.
The German Government can
not admit any doubt that these
orders were given or are executed
in good faith. Errors actually oc-
Cured. They can, in no kind of
warfare, be avoided altogether.
The German Government, more
over, is prepared to do it's utmost
to confine operations Of the war
for the rest Of its duration to the
fighting forces Of the belligerents,
thereby also insuring freedom OF
the seas, a principle upon which
the German Government believes
now, as before, that it is in agree
ment with the Government Of the
United States.
The German Government, guild
ed by this idea, notifies the Gov
eminent of the United States that
the German naval forces have re-
ceived the following order:
"In accordance with the gener-
al principles of visit and search
and the destruction of merchant
vessels recognized by information
al law, such vessels, both within
and without the area declared q
naval war zone, shall not be sunk
without warning and without saw