The Benson signal., 1916-05-13

h.,
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 is 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.
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 Germanys 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
the appeal made by the government of
the United States to sentiments of hu-
| manity and principles of interna tional
law cannot under the circumstances
meet the hearty response from the
German people which such an appeal
| otherwise always is certain to find
here.
If 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
hundred years. but also by the thought
of the great doom which threatens the
entire. civilized world should the cruel
and sanguinary war be extended and
| prolonged.
Germany Ready for Peace.
The German government. conscious
| of Germany's strength. twice within
| the last few months announced before
| the world its readiness to make peace
| on a basis safeguarding Germany's vi
! tai interests, thus indicating that it is
| not Germany's fault if 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 il
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 serf-
Ously threatening maintenance of peace
| between the two nations.
| AS far as lies with the German gov
| ernment it wishes to prevent things
| from taking such a course. The Ger
| man government. moreover. is prepared
! to do it's utmost to confine operations
| OF the war for the rest of it's duration
| to the fighting forces of the belliger-
ents. thereby also insuring freedom of
| the seas, a principe upon which the
| German government believes now as
! before the war that it is in agreement
| with the government OF the United
| States
New Order to Submarines.
| The German government. guided by
| this idea. notifies the government of
| the United States that German naval
| forces have received the following orr
| der:
| I'm accordance with the general prin-
| ciples of visit and search and the de-
| structioh of merchant vessels, recognized
bv International law. such vessels. both
| within and without the area declared
| naval war zone. shall not be sunk
| 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
if the enemy is permitted to continue
to apply at will methods of warfare
| violating rules of international law.
| Such demand woul' h, '~coropqtihle
with the character of neutrality. 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 de-
'lare thet is 20 etrroine to restore
the principle Of freedom of the seas.
| from whatever quarter it has been vio-
lated.
Urges U. S. Curb Britain.
Accordingly the German government
| is confident that in consequence of the
| new orders issued 10 the naval forces
the government of the United States
will also now consider all impediments
| removed which may have been in the
way of mutual cooperation toward
| restoration of the freedom of the seas
i during the war. as suggested in the
note of July %. 1915. and it does not
doubt that the government of the Unit
ed States will now demand and insist
| that the British government shall
forthwith observe the rules of interna-
| tional law universally recognized be-
fore the war. as laid down in the notes
| presented by the government of the
| United States to the British govern
meut December 2S. 1914. and Novem-
Der 5. 1915.
Should steps taken by the govern
ment of the United States not attain
the object it DESIRES to have the laws
Of humanity followed by all belliger-
ent nations, the German government
WOULD then he facing a new situation
in which it must reserve to itself COM
plete liberty of decision
The undersigned avails himself OF
this opportunity to renew to the Amer
lean ambassador assurances of highest
consideration. JAGOW
A Sure Way.