Fair play., 1916-05-13
NUMBER 8.

submarine question under discussion
between the German government and
the government OF the United States
were TO take a turn seriously threat
ening maintenance Of peace between
the two nations.
"As far as lies with the German
government # wishes TO prevent
things from taking such a course. The
German government, moreover, is pre-
pared to do its utmost to confine OPP
erations of the war for the rest OF
its duration to the fighting forces Of
the belligerents, thereby also insur-
ing freedom of the seas, a principle
upon which the German government
believes. now, as before, that it 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 the German
naval forces have received the fol-
lowing order:
"Tn accordance with the general
principles of visit and search and the
destruction of merchant vessels rec
ognized by international law, euch
vessels, both within and without the
area declared a naval war zone, shall
not be sunk without warning and
without saving human lives unless
the ship attempts to escape or offers
resistance
But neutrals cannot expect that
Germany, forced to fight for existence.
shall for the sake OF neutral interests
restrict the use of an effective weap-
on if the enemy is permitted to con-
tinue to apply at will methods of war
| fare violating rules of international
| law. Such a demand would be in
compatible with the character of neu-
trality. and the German government
! Is convinced that the government of
the United States does not think OF
making such q demand, knowing that
| the government OF the United States
repeatedly declares that 1t is deter
mined to restore the principle of free
dom OF the seas, from whatever quar-
| ter 1t has been violated.
Awaits Demands on Britain.
Accordingly, the German govern
ment 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 i'm
pediments removed which may have
been in the way of mutual coopera-
/ ton toward restoration of the free
dom Of the seas during the war, as
suggested in the note of July 23, 1915,
and 1t does not doubt that the gov
ernment of the United States will
now demand and insist that the Brit
ish government shall forthwith OBJ
serve the rules of international law
universally recognized before the war,
as are laid down in the notes pre-
sented by the government of the
United States to the British govern
ment, Dec. 26, 1914, and Nov. 5, 1915.
Should steps be taken by the gov
ernment of the United States not at
tain the object it desires, to have the
laws of humanity followed by the bel
ligerent nations, the German govern
ment would then be facing a new sit
uation in which 1t must reserve to
itself complete liberty of decision.
"The undersigned avails himself of
this opportunity to renew TO the
American ambassador assurances of
highest consideration"
The name of DR.. Won Jagow. the
/ secretary of state for foreign affairs
in the German government, was
signed to the German note.
The German note OF July 8, 1915,
proposed that American passenger
steamers be made recognizable by
special markings, and that notifica-
ton Of their sailing be given in ad-
vance. It also proposed to install in
transatlantic service, under the
American flag, number OF the Ger
man steamers now interned in Ameri-
can ports.
This communication also suggested
that the president of the United
States make proposals TO Great Brit
ain with reference TO the conduct OF
naval warfare. which might bring
about an agreement between the bel
ligerents.
The American notes to the British
| government of Dec. 26, 1914, and Nov.
5, 1915, were strong complaints made
by the American government on the
interference with American and other
neutral trade by the allies, in which
the charge was made that the allies
were violating international law.
There have been several exchanges
between the two governments and the
differences are still at issue.
The order of Feb. s was the notifi-
cation that armed merchantmen"
would be sunk without warning.