Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-04-20

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ed; but unhappily it does not stand
alone Recent events make the con-
clusion inevitable that it is only one
instance, even though it be one OF
the most extreme and distressing in
stances, of the spirit and method of
warfare which the imperial German
government has mistakenly adopted.
and which from the first exposed that
government to the reproach of thrust
ing all neutral rights aside in pur-
suit of its immediate objects.
Positive Action Required.
"The government of the United
States has been very patient. At ev-
cry stage of this distressing expert
ence of tragedy after tragedy in
which citizens we're involved it has
sought to be restrained from any ex-
IRENE course of action or of protest,
by thoughtful consideration OF the
extraordinary circumstances OF this
unprecedented war, and actuated in
all that it said or did by the senti-
ments of genuine friendship which
the people of the United States al
ways have entertained and continue
to entertain towards the German ma
ton. 1t has, of course, accepted the
successive explanations and assur-
ances of the imperial German gov
crnment as given in entire sincerity
and good faith, and hoped, even
against hope. that it would prove to
be possible for the German govern
ment so to order and control the
; acts of its naval commanders as to
square its policy with its principles
of humanity as embodied in the law
of nations. 1t has been willing to
wait until the significance of the facts
become absolutely unmistakable and
susceptible of but one Interpretation.
''That point has now unhappy
been reached. The facts are susceptl-
BILE of but one Interpretation. The
| imperial German government has not
been able to put any limits Or re-
strictions upon it's warfare agains4
either freight or passenger ships. 1t
has. therefore. become painfully evi
dent that the position which this gov
eminent took at the very outset is in
evitable; namely, that the use of sub
marines for the destruction OF an
enemy's commerce is, of necessity
because of the very character of the
vessels employed and the very meth
DDS of attack which their employ
ment, of course. involves, incompatl-
BILE with the principles of humanity
the long established and incontro-
vertible rights of neutrals. and the
sacred immunities of non-combatants,
Final Word to Germany.
q have deemed it my duty, there
fore, to say to the German imperlal
government that if it is still it's pur-
pose to prosecute relentless and in
discriminate warfare against vessels
of commerce by the use of subma-
rines. Notwithstanding the now dem.
onstrated impossibility of conducting
i that warfare in accordance witt
what the government of the United
States must consider the sacred ant
indisputable rules of internationa
law and the universally recognized
dictates of humanity, the conclusion
is that there is but one course it car
pursue: and that unless the imperia
German government should now i'm
mediately declare and effect an aban
donment of it's present methods o
warfare against passenger ant
. freight carrying vessels. this govern
ment can have no choice but to sever
, Diplomatic relations with the govern
ment of the German empire altogeth
. er.
. "This decision | have arrived a
with the keenest regret, the pOssibil
ity of the action contemplated l an
sure all thoughtful Americans vii
Hook forward to with unaffected re
luctance.
"But we cannot forget that we ar
in some sort and by the force OF CIR
! cumstances the responsible spokes
men of the. rights of humanity an
that we cannot remain silent Will
those rights seem in process of be
Ing swept utterly away in the mael
} strom Of this terrible war; We ow
. lii to a due regard for our own right
as nation, to our sense of duty a
a representative Of the rights of neu
trails, the world over. and to Jus
! conception OF the rights Of mankin
I to take this stand now with the ut
most solemnity and firmness.
al have taken II and taken 1t l
the confidence that 1t will meet wit
YOUR approval, and support. All Sc
her minded men must unite in hoI
ing that the imperial German govern
Z ment which has in other circuu
Z stances stood as the champion Ut a
I that we are now contending for
d the interest OF humanity, may reco:
5 Nit the justice Of our demands an
Z meet them in the spirit in wh;c
= they are made
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