Evening journal., 1916-05-05
GERMANY MAKES COMPLETE BACK
DOWN In THE SUBMARINE ISSUE

fare on sea and land to the armed
forces Of the belligerents and to safe
guard as far as possible non-combat-
ants against the horrors of war. But
although the considerations are OF
great weight. they alone would not un-
der the present circumstances, have
determined the attitude of the Gei man
government
In answer to the appeal by the
Government of the United States on
behalf Of the sacred principles of hui
manity and international law, the
German Government must repeat
once more with all emphasis that It
was not the German Government.
but the British Government, which
by ignoring all the accepted rules
of international law extended this
terrible war to the lives and prop
erty Of non-combatants. having no
regard whatever for the interests
and rights Of neutrals and non-com-
betants which through this method
OF warfare have been severely in
iured. In self-dofense Of the illegal
conduct Of British warfare, while fight
ing a bitter struggle for national ex-
istence. Germany had to resort to
the hard but effective weapon OF
submarine warfare.
"As the matters stand the German
Government cannot but reiterate its
regret that the sentiments Of hu-
NANNY which the Government of
the United States extends with such
fervor to the UNHAPPY victims OF sub
marine warfare. were not extended
with the same warmth Of feeling TO
the many millions Of women and
children who, according to the avowed
intention Of the British Government
shall be starved and who. by theiI
sufferings. shall force the victorious
armies Of the Central Powers into
l ignominious capitulation.
"The German government in agree.
ment with the German people, fails tC
understand this discrimination, all The
more as it has repeatedly and eXplic'
lily declared itself ready to use the
submarine weapon in strict conform
ity with the rules OF international
law as recognized before the outbreak
of the war If Great Britain likewise
would adopt her conduct Of warfare
to these rules.
Several attempts made by the gov
ernment Of the United States to pre-
vail upon the British government t
act accordingly, failed, because Of the
fiat refusal on the part of the British
government. Moreover Great Britain
ever since has again and again violat
ed international law, surprising al
bounds and outraging neutral rights.
"The latest measure adopted b.
Great Britain declaring German bunk
er coal contraband and establishin,
conditions under which English bunk
er coal alone can be supplied to neu
trails. is nothing but an unheard o
attempt by way OF forcing neutra
tonnage into service and trade in wal
"The German people know that th'
government OF the United States hai
the power to confne the war TO th
armed forces OF the belligerent coun
tries in the interest OF humanity ant
the maintenance OF international law
The government OF the United State
: would have been certain in attainin
this end had il been determined Z
, insist against Great Britain on the in
, controvertible rights to the freedom
OF the seas (evidently meaning 'ha
/, IL been determined TO insist upol
= Great Britain not interfering with tn
I incontrovertible rights TO the freedom
OF the seas") but as matters stan
the German people are under the i'm
, preston that the government OF tn
United States. while demanding tina
+ Germany, struggling for existenc,
shall restrain the use OF an effectiv
, weapon, and while making complianc
with these demands a condition 70
, the maintenance Of relations wit
= Germany, confines itself TO protest
against the illegal methods adopte
, by Germany's enemies. Moreover. IN
I German people know TO what cor
, siderable extent their enemies ar
! supplied with all kinds OF war ms
terial from the United States.
q 1T will therefore be understood thu
: the appeal made by the government
q the United States to the sentiments
! humanity and the principles of intern
/ tional law cannot, under the circur
stances, meet with the same hearty r
. sponse from the German people whi'
such an appeal otherwise is always &C
. tain to find here. If the German Go
ernment, nevertheless, has resolved
60 10 the utmost limit of concession,
: has not alone been guided by frien
: ship connecting two great nations
. . over a hundred years, but also by Z
. thought Of the great doom viii
:, threatens the entire civilized wor
y should the cruel and sanguinary war
: extended and prolonged.
"Ihe German Government, conscio
< Of Germany's strength. twice within &
II last few months announced before {
n world its readiness TO make peace on
q basis safeguarding Germany's vital i
terests, thus indicating that it is n
IS Germany's fault if peace IS still wit
l. held from the nations Of Europe. 4
l. German Government feels all the mo
n justified TO declare that responsible
h could not be borne before the forum
D the history of mankind if after twent
l. one months duration of the war (
sc submarine questions under discussi
1f between the German Government a
r the Government of the United Stat