Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-06
DANGER OF BREAK WITH GERMANY lessons
Unofficial Text Of Note of German Government in
Reply to y. S. Demands on Submarine Warfare

rertibic rights to freedom Of the seas.
But. as matters stand. the German peo-
pie is under the impression that the
government Of the United states. while
demanding that Germany. struggling
for existence. shall restrain the use of
All 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
b% Gcrmany's enemies. Moreover. the
German people knows TO what con-
siderable extent It's enemies are sup
piled with all kinds Of war material
from the United States
"lt will therefore. he understood tha,
the appeal made by the government of
the United states to sentiments Of
humanity and principles Of intcrna-
tional law cannot. under the cirrum-
stances. meet the same hearty re-
sponse from the German people which
such an appeal otherwise always is
certain TO hnd here. II the German
government. nevertheless. is resolved to
go to the utmOstNlimit OF concessions
ii has been guided not alone by the
friendship connecting tho two great
nations for over 100 years. but also by
the thought "f the great doom which
threatens the cntirc civilized world
should the cruel and sanGuinary war
be extended aud prolonged
BERLIN WISHES no PREVENT
BREtCH WITH AMERICA
"The German government. conscious
Of Germany's strength. twice within the
last fcw months announced before the
NCnrlI
basis safeguarding Germany's vital
Germanys fault il peace is still with
held from the nations OF Europe. The
German government feels all the more
justified in declaring that responsible
ity could not he borne before tho forum
Of mankind and in history IT, after
;wenty-onc months of the wars dura-
tion the submarine question under dis
cusSiOu between the German govern
ment and the government OF tho United
states were To take a turn seriously
threatening maintenance OF peace he
tween the two nations.
"As far as lies with the German gov
ernment. il wishes to prevent things
from taking such II course. The Ger
man government. moreover. is pre-
pared 10 do It's utmost to confine opera :
tions OF the war for the rest Of its
duration To the fighting forces Of the
hclliEcrcuts. thereby also nsuriuc
freedom "f the seas. q principle upon
which the German government be
licNeS, now as before. that il is in
agreement with the government of the
United states
The German government. guided by
this idcH. notifies the government Of
the United states that German naval
forces have received the following
order: In accordance with the general
principles "f visit aud search and The
destruction Of merchant vessels recoS-
uizcd by International law, such vcs-
sells. both within aud without the area
declared ~ naval war zone, shall not
he sunk without warning and without
saving human lives. unless the ship
attempt 10 escape or offer resistance
MUST CALL On ENGLAND
no OBSERVE LAWS
'Eut ucutrals cannot expect that
Germany. forced to fight for existence
shall. for the sake Of neutral interests
restrict the use Of an effective weapon
il the enemy Is permitted to contiuuc
10 apply at VIII methods OF warfare
violatiu. rules Of international law
such a demand would bc incompatible
with the character Of neutrality, aud
tho German government is convinced
that the government of the United
states docs not think OF making such
a demand knowing that the govern
ment Of the United States repeatedly
declares that IL is determined to re-
store the principle of freedom of tho
seas from whatever quarter il has
been violated
Accordingly. the German govern
mcn 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 inn
pcdimcnis removed which may have
been in the way of mutual co-opera-
tion toward restoration of the freedom
Of tho seas during the war. as sus-
gcstcd in the note of July -. 1915 and
IL docs not doubt that the government
OF the United States will now demand
aud insist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules Of
international law universally rcroe-
nizcd before the war. as are laid down
in the notes presented by tho govern
mcnt Of the United States TO the British
government December IS. 1914 and No.
Vcmber j. 1915.
should steps taken by the govern
mcnt Of tho United States not attain
the object il desires. to have the laws
Of humanity followed by all bcIlirerent
nations, the German government would
then be facing new situation in
which il must reserve TO itself COM
plctc liberty Of decision.
The undersigned avails himself Of
this opportunity 10 renew to the Amer
lean amha sSador assurances Of highest
consideration