Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-03-15

her opponents measures, which were
absolutely contrary to International
law. She chose for this purpose a
new weapon, the use Of which had
not yet been regulated by interna-
tional law, and, in doing so, could
ana did not violate any existing
rules. but only took into account the
peculiarity OF this new weapon, the
submarine boat.
Tine use OF the submarine iIaiu-
rally nccessitated restriction OF the
free movement Of ncutrals and con-
Sttutcd danger for them which
Germany intended to ward off by q
special warning analogous to the
warning England had given regard
ing the North Sea.
AS both bclligcrents--G Germany
in her note Of February II, and
Great Britain. in those OF February
8 and 20, - 5---claimcd that their
proceeding was only enacted in re-
taliation for the violation OF inter
national law by their opponent, the
American government approached
both parties for the purpose OF try
ing to rc-cstablish international law
as it had been in force before the
war. Germany was asked to adapt
tho use or her new weapon to the
rules which had been existing Tor
the former naval weapons. and Eng
land not to interfere with food SUP
plies intended for the non-combatant
their distribution under American
supervision. Germany, on March |,
1915. declared her Willingness to
comply with the proposal OF the
American government. whilst Eng
land, on the other hand, declined to
do so. by the order in council March
-. 1915. Great Britain abolished
even what had remained Of the free
dom OF neutral trade with Germany
and her neutral neighbors. Eng
land's object was to starvo Germany
into submission By these illegal
means
'Germany, after neutral citizens
had lost their lives against her wish
and intention. nevertheless. in the
further course Of tho war. complied
with the wishes OF the American
government regarding the use Of her
submarines. The rights OF neutrals
regarding legal trading were in fact
nowhere limited by Germany.
Then England made it impossible
for submarines to conform with the
trming nearly all merchantmen and
by ordering the use Of guns OH
merchant vessels for attack. Pho
tographic reproductions Of these in
have been transmitted to
neutral governments with the memo
randum OF the German government
OF February s, 1916 These orders
are obviously in contradiction with
the note delivered by tho British am
hassador in Washington to the
American government on October 25,
1871. On account OF the proposal,
made by tho United States on Janu-
AIRY 23. 1916. regarding disa rma-
mrnt. the imperial German govern
mcnt hoped that these facts would
enable the neutral governments 10
obtain the disarmament Of the mcr-
chant ships Of her opponents. The
great energy to arm their merchant
men with guns.
"Thc principle Of the United
States government rot to keep their
citizens Off bclligercnt merchant
ships, has been used by Great Britain
and her allies to arm merchant ships
for offensive purposes. Under these
circumstances merchantmen can cas-
lily destroy submarines and il their
attack fails still consider themselves
n safety by the presence OF Amcri-
can citizens on board.
'rhc order to use arms on British
mcrchlntmcn was supplemented by
instructions to the masters OF such
ship, 80 hoist false flags and to ram
l'hoats. Reports on payment of
premiums and bcStowal Of dccOra-
tinns to successful masters OF mcr-
chantmCnt show the effect Of these
or l"rs. lInglnnd's allies have nd-
cpIcu this position