The midland journal., 1916-04-28

inevitable that 1t is only one instance.
even though it be one OF the most cx-
treme and distressing instances, OF the
spirit and method OF warfare which
the Imperial German Government has
mistakenly adopted, and which from
the first expose that government to the1
reproach of thrusting all neutral right
aside in pursuit of its immediate OBJ
jects.
''INhe government of the United
States has veen very patient At
every stage of this distressing expert
ence of tragedy after tragedy in which
its own citizens were involved it has
sought to be restrained from any ex-
treme course of action or Of protest BY
a thoughtful consideration OF the
extraordinary circumstances Of this
unprecedented war, and actuated in all
that it said or did by the sentiments
of genuine friendship which the people
of the United States have always en-
tertained and continue to entertain to-
wards the German nation.
1T has, of course. accepted the sue
soessive explanations and assurances OF
the Imperial German Government as
given in entire sincerity and good faith
and has hoped, even against hope, that
it would prove to be possible for the
German government so to order and
control the acts Of its naval command
ers as to square its policy with the
principles Of humanity as embodied in
the law of nations. 1t has been will
ing to wait until the significance of the
facts has become absolutely urmis-
taxable and susceptible of but one
Interpretation
But One Interpretation.
THAT point has now sunhappily been
reached The facts are susceptible OF
but one Interpretation. The Imperial
German Government has been unable
to put any limits or restraints upon its
warfare against either freight or pas
senger ships. 1t has therefore become
painfully evident that the position
which this government took at the
very outset is inevitable, namely, that
the use of submarines for the destruc-
tion Of an enemy's commerce is of
necessity, because of the very charac-
ter of the vessels employed and the very
methods of attack which their employ
ment, of course. involves, are incom-
patible with the principles of human
ity, the long established and incontro-
vertible rights of neutrals and the
sacred immunities of on-combatants.
II have deemed it my duty, there
fore, to say to the Imperial German
Government that IL 1t is still it's purA
pose to prosecute relentless and indis-
criminate warfare against vessels OF
commerce by the use of submarines.
Notwithstanding the now demons tTatsd
impossibility of conducting that war
fare In accordance with what the gov
ernment of the United States must con-
slider the sacred and indisputable rules
Of international law and the universal
ly recognized dictates of humanity, tho
government of the United States is at
last forced to the conclusion that there
is but ono course it can pursue, and
that unless the Imperial German Gov
ernment should now Immediately DE-
clare and effect an abandonment of itS
present methods of warfare against
passenger and freight carrying vessels
this government can have no choice
but to sever diplomatic relations with
the government of the German EN-
pire altogether.
Spokesman For Humanity.
This decision have arrived at with
the keenest regret; the possibility OF
the action contemplated / am sure all
thoughtful Americans will look for
ward to with unaffected reluctance,
But we cannot forget that we are by
the force of circumstances the respon-
sible spokesmen of the rights Of hu-
manity, and that we cannot remain
silent while those rights seem in pro
cess of being swept utterly away in the
malestrom of this terrible war.
I'VE owe 1t to a due regard for our
own rights as nation, to our sense
of duty as representative of the
rights of neutrals the world over, and
to just conception of the rights OF
mankind to take this stand now with
the utmost solemnity and firmness.
II have taken it, and taken it In
the confidence that it will meet with
your approval and support. All sober
minded men must unite in hoping that
the Imperial German Government,
which has in other circumstances stood
as the champion Of all that we are now
contending for in the interest of hu-
manity, may recognize the justice of
our demands and meet them I'm the
spirit In which they are made"