East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-02-05

perial German government gave this
government the following assurances:
THE German government is pre-
pared to do its utmost to confine the
operations of war for the rest of its
duration to the fighting forces of the
belligerents. thereby also insuring the
freedom of the seas, principle upon
which the German government be-
lieves now, as before. to be in agree
ment with the government of the
United States.
The German government, guid-
ed by this idea, notifies the govern
ment of the United States that the
German naval forces have received
the following orders:
In accordance with the general
principles Of visit and search and de.
struction of merchant vessels recog
nized by international law, such ves-
sells, both within and without the area
declared a naval war zone, shall not
be sunk without warning and without
saving human lives. unless these ships
attempt to escape or offer resistance.
But it added, 'neutrals cannot
expect that Germany, forced to fight
for her existence, shall, for the sake
of neutral interest, restrict the use of
an effective weapon If her enemy is
permitted to continue to apply at will
methods of warfare violating the
rules of international law. Suoh a
demand would be incompatible with
the character of neutrality and the
German government is convinced
that the government of the United
States does not think of making such
demand, knowing that the govern
ment of the United States has repeat
edly declared that it is determined TO
restore the principle of he freedom
of the seas. from whatever quarter
1t has been violated
American Reply Reviewed.
ITO this the government Of the
United States replied on the eighth OF
May accepting, Of course, the assur'
dHGEJ 5AhGAlf but ANAAAibs
1.-The government Of the United
States feels II necessary to state that
it takes for granted that the imperial
German government does not intend
TO imply that the maintenance OF its
newly announced policy is in any way
contingent upon the course or resuit
Of diplomatic negotiations between
the government Of the United States
and any other belligerent government
Notwithstanding the fact that certain
passages in the imperiol governments
note of the fourth instant might ap-
near 10 be susceptible Of that con-
struction. In order, however, to avoid
anv misunderstanding the govern
ment of the United States notifies the
imperial government that it cannot
for a moment entertain, much less
discuss a suggestion that respect by
German naval authorities for the
rights OF citizens of the United states
mon the high seas should in any way
or in the slightest degree be made
upon the conduct Of any
other government affecting the rights
NJ neutrals and noncom batants. Re
sponsibiiity in such matters Is single
not ioint. absolute, not relative.'
"To this note OF the eighth OF MAY
the imperial German government
made no reply.
"on the thirty-flrst Of January inc
Wednesday Of the present week, tho
German ambassador handed tn the
secretary Of state along with for-
mai note. a memorandum which con
tained the following statement:
"'The imperial government tnere-
fore does not doubt that the govern
ment OF the United states will under
stand the situation thus forced upon
Germany by the entente allies brutal
methods Of war and by their determi-
nation TO destroy the central powers
ana that the government Of the Unit
cd States will further realize that the
now openly discussed intention Of the
allies gives back to Germany the free
dom or action which she reserved w
her note addressed to the government
OF the United States on MAY 4. 1916
Creation Of zone DesrTfbed.
"Under these circumstances Ger