The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-05
!. .rica
ne Warfare

all bounds and outraging neutral
rights. The latest measure adopted
by Great Britain declaring German
bunker coal contraband alone can be
supplied to neutrals. is nothing but
an unheard OF attempt by way OF
exaction to force neutral tonnage
into service and trade in war.
The German people know that the
government Of the United States has
the power to confine the war to the
armed forces of the belligerent coun-
tries in the interest Of humanity and
the maintenance of international
law The government OF the United
States would have been certain in at
tanning this end had 1t been determ-
1ned to insist against Great Britain
on the incontrov verttble rights to the
freedom Of the seas (evidently mean
ing had 1t been determined to in
sist upon Great Britain not interfer-
ing with the incontrowertible rights
to the freedom OF the seas"). but as
matters stand the German people is
under the impression that the gov
ernment of the United States while
demanding that Germany, struggling
for existence, shall restrain the use
Of an effective weapon and while
making compliance with these de-
mands, a condition for the mainten-
ance OF relations with Germany,
confines itself to protests against the
illegal methods adopted by Germany's
enemies. Moreover, the German peo-
pie knows to what a considerable ex-
tent their enemies are supplied with
all kinds Of war material from the
United States.
It will therefore be understood
that the appeal made by tho govern
ment Of the United States to the
sentiments Of humanity and the prin-
ciples Of international law cannot,
under the circumstances, meet with
the same hearty response from the
| German people which such an appeal
otherwise Is always certain to find
here. II the German government
! nevertheless has resolved to go to
the utmost limit of concession, 1t has
not alone been guided by friendship
connecting two great nations Dor
over a hundred years, but also by the
thought Of the great doom which
threatens the entire civilized world
should the cruel and sanguinary war
be extended and prolonged.
Ready for Peace.
The German government, conscious
of Germany's strength, twice within
the last few months announced be-
fore the world its readiness to make
peace on basis safeguarding Ger
many's vital interests, thus indicat-
ing that it is not Germany's fault il
peace is still withheld from the ma
tions OF Europe. The German gov
ernment feels all the more justified
to declare that responsibility could
not be borne before the forum Of the
history Of mankind, if after twenty
one months duration OF the war, the
submarine questions under discussion
between the German government and
the government of the United States
we're to take a 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 prepared to do the utmost to con-
fine the operations Of the war, tor
the rest Of its duration to the fight
ing forces of the belligerents, there
by also insuring the freedom of the
seas, a principle upon which the
German government believes itself
now as before to be 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 following
orders, "in accordance with the gener-
al principles Of visit, search and de-
struction Of merchant vessels recog-
nized by international law, such ves-
sells both within and without the area
declared to be naval war zone,
shall not be sunk without wa rning,
without saving human lives unless the
ships attempt to escape or offer re-
sistance."
But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany forced to fight for exist
ence, shall for the sake Of neutral in
terests, secret (evidently this should
read "abandon'') the use of an ef-
fective weapon if the enemy is per-
mitted to continue to apply at will,
methods of warfare violating the
rules of international law. Such de-
mand would be incompatible with the
character of neutrality and the Ger
man government is convinced that
the government Of the United States
does not think OF making such de-
mand, knowing that the government
Of the United States repeatedly de-
ClareS tnaC IL Is Qeternineu 10 re-
store the principle of the freedom of
the seas from whatever quarter 1t
has been violated.
Accordingly the German govern
ment is confident that in consequence
of new orders issued to the naval
forces, the government of the United
States will now also confer (evident-
ly means 'tsee to it') that all i'm
pediments are removed which may
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