The Holly chieftain., 1916-05-12

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| 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
to these rules.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment 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
ernment.
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 ts 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.
Alleges Favoritlsm
is Shown to Britain.
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
ernment of the United States would
have been certain of attaining this end
had It 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-
| manding that Germany. struggling for
existence. shall restrain the use of an
effective weapon, and while making
compliance with these demands 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 it's enemies are supplied
| with all kinds of war material from
the United States.
1t will. therefore be understood that
J the appeal made by the government of
the United States to sentiments of hu-
| manity 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.
II the German government. neverthe-
less. is resolved to go to the utmost
| limit of CONCESSIONS, it has been guided
not alone by the friendship connecting
the two great nations for over one
of the great doom which threatens the
| entire civilized world should the cruel
and sanguinary war be extended and
prolonged.
! The German government. conscious
| of Germany's strength, twice within
the last few months announced before
| the world its readiness to make peace
on basis safeguarding Germanys vi
tai interests. thus indicating that 1t Is
not Germany's fault II 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 II
1 after twenty-one months of the wars
| duration the submarine question under
discussion between the German gov
| ernment and the government of the
/ United States were to take turn seri-
ously threatening maintenance of peace
between the two nations.
Tells Of New Orders
Given to War Vessels.
As far as lies with the German gov
ernment. 1t wishes to prevent things
from taking such 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 fighting forces of the belliger-
1
the seas. a principle upon which the
| German government believes now as
before the war that 1t Is 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 or
der:
I'm accordance with the general prin-
| clples of visit and search and the de-
struction of merchant vessels, recognized
by International law. such vessels, both
within and without the area declared
| 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-
ciareu that II Is uetetrmlneo TO restore
the principle of freedom of the seas,
from whatever quarter 1t has been vio-
lated.
Wants Demand on Britain
To Obey International Laws.
| Accordingly the German government
| Is confident that in consequence of the
| new orders issued to the naval forces
the government of the United States
4 will also now consider all impediments
removed which may have been in the