Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1916-05-12
GERMANY MODIFIES U-BOAT WARFARE
Reply to American Note Says No More Merchant Vessels Will Be
Sunk Before Being Visited and Searched-Lays Blame on
British Methods and United States Favorsm
The German government has

The German government has
made one great concession 10
Americas demands by ordering
commanders Of submarines to
sink no more merchant vessels
without first visiting and search
ing them and giving those on
board a chance to save their
lives.
Berlin. - Germanys reply to the
American note respecting submarine
warfare. delivered by Foreign Secre-
tary Won Jagow to Ambassador &C.
rard. Is as follows:
The undersigned. on behalf of the Inn
perial German government. has the honor
to present to his eXcellency the ambassa-
dor OF the United States. James w. Ge-
rard, the following reply to the note OF
April 20 regarding the conduct of German
submarine warfare.
The German government handed over
to the proper naval authorities for early
investigation the evidence concerning the
Sussex as communicated by the govern
ment of the United States. Judging by
the results that the investigation has
hitherto yielded. the German government
Is alive to the possibility that the ship
mentioned In the note of April 16 as hav-
ing been torpedoed by German subma-
rine is actually Identical with the sus-
sex.
The German government begs to re-
serve further communication on the sub
ject until certain points are ascertained
which are of decisive Importance for es-
tablishing the facts in the case.
Should II turn out that the commander
was wrong In assuming the vessel to be
a man-of-war, the German government
will not fail to draw the consequences re-
sultlng therefrom.
Denies Deliberate Intent.
In connection with the case of the Sus-
sex the government of the United States
made a series OF statements. the gist of
which is the assertion that the incident is
to be considered but one instance of a
deliberate method of indiscriminate de-
struction of vessels of all sorts. national
tiles and destinations by German subma-
rne commanders.
The German government must emphat-
ically repudiate the assertion. The Ger
man government, however, thinks 1t of
little avail to enter into details In the
present stage of affairs. more particular
ly as the governments OF the United States
omitted to substantiate the assertion by
| reference to concrete facts.
The German government will only state
that II has imposed far-reaching re-
straints upon the use of the submarine
weapon, solely in consideration of neu-
trails interests, in spite of the fact that
these restrictions are necessarily of ad-
vantage to Germany's enemies. No such
consideration has ever been shown neu-
trails by Great Britain and her allies.
The German submarine forces have had,
in fact, orders TO conduct the submarine
warfare in accordance with the general
principles of visit and search and the de-
struction OF merchant vessels recognized
by international law. the sole exception
being the conduct of warfare against enc
my trade carried on enemy freight ships
encountered in the war zone surrounding
Great Britain. With regard to these. no
assurances have ever been given to the
government Of the United States. No
| such assurances are contained In the
| declaration of February s. 1916.
Makes Further Concession.
AS the German government repeatedly
declared II cannot dispense with the use
of the submarine weapon In the conduct
| OF warfare against enemy trade. The
| German government, however. has now
decided to make 1t a further concession
| adapting methods of submarine war 70
the interests of neutrals.
In reaching this decision the German
government is actuated by considerations
which are above the level of the disputed
| question.
The German government attaches nc
| less Importance to the sacred principles
of humanity than the government of the
| United States. 1t again fully takes into
| account that both governments for many
years co-operated In developing interna.
tional law in conformity with these prln.
| ciples, the ultimate object of which has
always been to confine warfare on sea
| and land to armed forces of bellgerents
and To safeguard as far as possible non.
combatants against the horrors OF war
| 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 gov.
| eminent OF the United States on behalf
| of the sacred principles of humanity ant
| international law. the German govern.
ment must repeat 'once more with al
emphasis, that II was not the German
but the British government which ignored
| all accepted rules of international law anC
| extended this terrific war to the lives ant
property OF noncombatants.
In self-defense against the Illegal con
quot OF BrltlSn warfare, while lighting
bitter struggle for national existence
Germany had to resort to the hard bu
effective weapon of submarine warfare.
AS matters stand. the German govern
ment cannot but reterate regret that tn,
sentiments OF humanity which the govern
ment OF the United States extends witt
such fervor to the unhappy victims o
! submarine warfare are not extended will
the same warmth OF feeling TO manl
millions of women and children who. ac
cordlng to the avowed intention of tn,
British government, shall be starved. anC
who, by sufferlngs, shall force the vic
torous armies of the central powers int
| ignominious capitulation.
Accuses U. S. of FaVorltism.
The German government. in agree.
ment with the German people. fails e
understand the discrimination. all the
more as II has repeatedly and explicit.
! ly declared itself ready to use the sub.
marine weapon In strict conformity
with the rules OF international law. as
recognized before the outbreak OF the
war. II Great Britain likewise was
ready to adapt her conduct OF warfare
10 these rules.
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Bound to Happen.