The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-05-11

tering the fighting zone Even in cases
where the naval action Is confined to
ordinary forms Of cruiser warfare neu.
trail persons and goods repeatedly
come to grief.
| Mine Danger Pointed Out.
"The German Government has re-
peatedly and explicitly pointed out the
dangers from mines that have led to
the loss OF numerous ships.
"The German Government has made
several proposals to the Government
Of the United States In order TO reduce
to minimum for American travellers
and goods the inherent dangers OF
naval warfare. Unfortunately the
Government Of the United States de-
cided not to accept the proposals. Had
II accepted the Government Of the
United States would have been instru.
mental in preventing the greater part
OF the accidents that American citizens
| have met with in the meantime.
Can't nispence With U-5oat.
"The German Government still
stands by It's offer to come to an agree.
ment along these lines.
"As the German Government re-
peatedly declared II cannot dispense
with the use OF the submarine weapon
in the conduct OF warfare against
enemy trade. The German Govern.
ment, however, has now decided to
make a further concession, adapting
methods Of submarine war TO the in
terests OF neutrals.
an reaching this decision the Ger
man Government is actuated by con.
slderations which are above the level
Of the disputed question.
Sacred Principles OF Humanity.
The German Government attaches
no less Importance to the sacred prin
ciples Of humanity than the Govern.
ment OF the United States. 1t again
I fully takes into account that both Gov.
ernments for many years co-operated
in developing international law in con.
formity with these principles, the ulti
mate object Of which has always been
to confne warfare on sea and land to
armed forces Of belligerents and safe.
guard as far as possible non-com-
batants against the horrors OF war. But
although these considerations are OF
great weight. they alone would not,
under present circumstances, have de.
termined the attitude Of the German
Government; for in answer to the ap.
peal by the Government OF the United
States on behalf OF the sacred prin-
ciples Of humanity and international
law the German Government must re
peat once more, with all emphasis, that
Il was not the German but the British
Government which ignored all accept.
ed rules Of international law and ex-
tended this terrible war TO the lives
and property Of non-combatants, hay
ing no regard whatever for the inter.
ests and rights of neutrals and non
combatants that through this method
OF warfare have been severely injured.
Adopted In sefDsfense.
In self-defense against the Illegal
conduct Of British warfare. while fight
ing a bitter struggle for national exist
ence, Germany had to resort to the
hard but effective weapon Of sub
marine warfare.
"As matters stand, the German Gov
ernment cannot but relterate regret
that the sentiments Of humanity which
the Government OF the United States
extends with such fervor to the un-
happy victims Of submarine warfare
are not extended with the same
warmth Of feeling TO many millions Of
women and children, who, according to
the avowed intention of the British
Government, shall be starved, and who
by sufferings shall force the victorious
armies Of the Central Powers into
ignominious capitulation. The German
Government, In agreement with the
German people, fails 10 understand
this discrimination, all the more as IL
has repeatedly and explicitly declared
itself ready to use the submarine
weapon in strict conformity with the
rules Of international law as rec
ognized before the outbreak Of the war
II Great Britain likewise was ready TO
adapt the conduct Of warfare to these
rules.
Great Britain Refused.
Several attempts made by the Gov
/ ernment Of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British Government to
act accordingly failed because Of nat