Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1916-05-12

Several attempts made by the gov Z
eminent OF the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government to
act accordingly failed because OF fiat
refusal on the part of the British gov
eminent.
Moreover. Great Britain again and
again has violated international law.
surprising all bounds in outraging
neutral rights. The latest measure
adopted to Great Britain. declaring
German bunker coal contraband and
establishing conditions under which
English bunker coal alone is supplied
to neutrals. is nothing but an unheard-
OF attempt by way of exaction to
force neutral tonnage into the service
of British trade war.
The German people knows that the
government of the United states has
the power to confine the war to armed
forces of the belligerent countries in
the interest OF humanity and mainte-
nance of international law The gov
eminent of the United States would
have been certain of attaining this end
had II been determined to insist against
Great Britain on the incontrovertible
right to freedom of the seas. But as
matters stand the German people is
under the impression that the govern
ment of the United States. while de-
handing that Germany. struggling for
existence, shall restrain the use of an
compliance with these demands a con-
dition for maintenance of relations
with Germany, confines itself to pro-
tests against Illegal methods adopted
by Germany's enemies. Moreover. the
German people knows to what consid-
cradle extent its enemies are supplied
with all kinds OF war material from
the United States.
IL will. therefore be understood that
the appeal made by the government of
the United States to sentiments of hui
rnanity and principles Of international
law cannot under the circumstances
meet the hearty response from the
German people which such an appeal
otherwise always Is certain to find
here.
If the German government. neverthe-
less. Is resolved to go to the utmost
limit of concessions. II has been guided
not alone by the friendship connecting
the two great nations for over one
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.
Germany Ready for Peace.
The German government conscious
| of Germanys strength twice within
| the last few months announced before
| the world its readiness to make peace
/ on n oasis SaIe NIermany y VI
| tai interests, thus indicating that II Is
not Germanys fault IL peace is still
| withheld from the nations of Europe.
| The German government feels all the
more justified in declaring that respon-
| sibility could not be borne before the
| forum of mankind and in history IL
| after twenty-one months OF the wars
| duration the submarine question under
| discussion between the German gov
| eminent and the government of the
| United States were to take a turn seri-
ously threatening maintenance of peace
between the two nations.
AS far as lies with the German gov
| eminent, IT wishes to prevent things
from taking such a course. The Ger
man government. moreover. is prepared
| to do Its utmost to confine operations
| OF the war for the rest of its duration
| to the lighting forces of the belliger-
ents thereby also insuring freedom of
| the seas, a principle upon which the
| German government believes now as
| before the war that II is in agreement
| with the government of the United
States.
New Order to Submarines.
The German government. guided by
| this idea notifies the government OF
| the United States that German naval
| forces have received the following or
DER
I'm accordance with the general prin-
| ciples of visit and search and the de-
| struction of merchant vessels. recognized
by international law. such vessels, both
| within and without the area declared
n naval war zone. shall not be sunk
| without warning and without saving
human lives unless the ship attempt to
escape or offer resistance"
But neutrals cannot expect that Ger
many forced to fight for existence.
shall for the sake of neutral interests
restrict the use OF an effective weapon
II the enemy is permitted to continue
TO apply at Will methods OF warfare
| violating rules of international law.
| Such a demand would be incompatible
| with the character of neutrality. and
the German government is convinced
| that the government OF the United
| States does not think OF making such a
| demand, knowing that the government
of the United States repeatedly de-
| clared that II Is determined to restore
the principle of freedom of the seas.
from whatever quarter II has been vio-
lated.
Urges U. S. Curb Britain.
Accordingly the German government
is confident that in consequence of the
new orders issued to the naval forces
the government OF the United States
Will also now consider all impediments
removed which may have been In tho
| way OF mutual corporation toward
restoration of the freedom of the seas
during the war. as suggested in the
note OF July 23, 1915. and IL does not
doubt that the government Of the Unit
ed States will now demand and insist
that the British government shall
forthwith observe the rules of interna-
tional law universally recognized be-
fore the war, as laid down In tho notes
presented by the government of the
United States to the British govern
ment December 2s. 1914. and Novem-
Der 3. 1915.
Should steps taken by the govern
ment OF the United States not attain
the object Il desires. to have the laws
OF humanity followed by all bellger-
ent nations the German government
would then he facing "A new situation.
in which II must reserve to itself COM
plete liberty OF decision.
The undersigned avails himself OF
this opportunity to renew to the Amer
lean ambassador assurances of highest
consideration. JAGOW.