Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-05-12

uuco 70 minimum Tor American
travellers and goods the inherent dan
gers of naval warfare. Unfortunately
the government Of the United States
decided not to accept the proposals.
Had il accepted, the government OF
the United States would have been In
strumental in preventing the greater
part of sthe accidents that Americans
have met with In the meantime. The
German government still stands by its
offer to come to an agreement along
these lines.
Can't Dispense With Submarine.
CAS- the German government repeat
eddy declared, it cannot dispense with
the use of warfare against enemy
trade. The German government, how
ever, has now decided to make a fur
Their concession, adapting methods of
submarine war to the interests of neu-
trails.
I'm reaching this decision the Ger
man government is actuated by con-
siderations which are above the level
of the disputed question.
nC
no less importance to the sacred prin-
ciples of humanity than the govern
ment of the United States. 1t again
fully takes into account that both
governments for many years coop
Grated in developing international law
in conformity with these principles.
the ultimate object of which has al
ways been to confine warfare on sea
and land to armed forces of belliger-
ents and safeguard as far as possible
noncombatants against the horrors of
war.
Repeats Britain Is to Blame.
But although these considerations
are of great weight, they alone would
not under present circumstances have
determined the attitude Of the German
government. For in answer to the
appeal by the government Of the Unit
ed States on behalf OF the sacred prin-
ciples of humanity and international
law, the German government must re-
peat once more. with all emphasis,
that 1t was not the German but the
British government which ignored all
accepted rules of international law
and extended this terrible war to the
lives and property Of noncombatants,
having no regard whatever for the in
| terests and rights of neutrals and nom
combatants who through this method
of warfare have been severely injured.
In self-defense against the illegal
conduct of British warfare, while fight
ing bitter struggle for national ex-
istence, Germany had to resort to the
hard but effective weapon of subma-
rine warfare.
Discrimination ls Charged.
"As matters stand, the German gov
eminent cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments of humanity
which the government of the United
States extends with such fervor to
the UNHAPPY victims of submarine war.
fare are not extended with the same
warmth Of feeling to many millions
Of women and children who, accord
ing to the avowed intention Of the
British government, shall be starved
and who, by their sufferings, shall
force the victorious armies of the cen.
trail powers into ignominious capitu
lation. The German government, In
agreement with the German people
fails to understand this discrimination
all the more as It has repeatedly and
explicitly declared itself ready to use
the submarine weapon In strict con
formfty with the rules of international
laws as recognized before the outbreaks
of the war if Great Britain likewise
was ready to adapt her conduct Of war
fare to these rules.
Britain Did Not Heed America.
Several attempts made by the gov
eminent of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government tc
act accordingly failed because of fiat
refusal on the part of the British gov
eminent. Moreover, Great Britain
again and again has violated interna
tional law. surprising all bounds II
outraging neutral rights. The lates
measure adopted by Great Britain de
claring German bunker coal contra
band and establishing conditions un
der which English bunker coal alont
is supplied to neutrals Is nothing blu
an unheard-of attempt by way o
exaction to force neutral tonnage int
the service Of British trade.
Severely chides United States.
The German people know that tn.
government Of the United States hai
the power to confine the war to armei
forces of the belligerent countries Ii
the interest Of humanity and mainte
nance of international law. The gov
eminent of the United States woull
have been certain of attaining this en-
had 1t been determined t. insis
against Great Britain ON the incontrG
vertible rights to freedom of the seas
But as matters stand the German peu
pie are under the impression that til,
government of the United States
while demanding that Germany, strug
Cling for existence, shall restrain tn,
use of an effective weapon, and whili
making compliance with these de
mands a condition for maintenance o