Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-07-11

armament factories. Such policy
the United States OF America could
not accept
But our principal controversy with
the German government. and one
which rendered the situation at once
acute, rose out Of their announce
ment OF a sea zone where their sub
marines would operate in violation
OF all accepted principles OF interna-
tional law. Our indignation at such
threat was soon rendered passion
ate by the sinking of the Lusitania-
This attack upon our rights was not
only grossly illegal; it deAed the
fundamental concepts OF humanity.
Aggrayating restraints on our trade
were grievances which could be set
tied by litigation after the war, but
the wanton murder Of peaceable men
and of innocent women and children.
citizens OF a nation with which Ger
many was at peace, was crime
against the civilized world which
could never be settled in any court.
Our government, however, inspired
still by a desire to preserve peace
If possible, used every resource o.
diplomacy to force the German gov
eminent to abandon such attacks.
This diplomatic correspondence,
which has already been published,
proves beyond doubt that our govern
ment sought by every honorable
means to preserve faith in that mu-
tuaI sincerity between nations which
is the only basis of sound diplomatic
interchange.
But evidence of the bad faith OF
the imperial German government
soon piled up on every hand. Honest
efforts on our part to establish a
firm basis of good neighborliness
with the German people were met
by their government with bubbles,
Misrepresentation and counter ac-
cusations against their enimies
abroad And meanwhile in this coun-
try official agents of the Central
Powers-protected from criminal
prosecution by diplomatic immunity
I-conspired against our internal peace.
placed spies and agents provocateurs
throughout the length and breadth OF
our land, and even in high positions
~, Of
ment While expressing a cordial
friendship for the people of the United
States, the government of Germany
had its agent at work both in Latin
America and Japan. They bought or
subsidized papers and supported
speakers there to arouse feelings OF
bitterness and distrust against us in
those friendly nations, in order to en-
broil us in war. They were melting
instruction in Cuba, in Haiti, and in
Santo Domingo; their hostile hand
was stretched out to take the Danish
Islands; and everywhere in South
America they were abroad sowing
the seeds of dissension, trying to stir
up one nation against another and
all against the United States. In
their sum these various operations
amounted to direct assault upon the
Monroe Dostrine. And even If VIC
had given up our right to travel On
the sea, even if we had surrendered
to German threats and abandoned
our legitimate trade in munitions,
the German offensive in the New
World, in our own land and among
our neighbors, was becoming too Sc.
rious to be ignored.
So long ~ II was possible, the gov
eminent of the United States tried
| to believe that such activities, tho
evidence of which was already in g
| large measure at hand, were the
work of irresponsible and misguided
individuals. II was only reluctantly
in the face of overwhelming proof
that the recall of the Austro- Hungar
ian ambassador and of the German
military and naval attaches was de
manded. Proof of their criminal vic
lations of our hospitality was present
ed to their governments. But these
governments in reply offered no apollo
gies nor did they issue rcprimands. 1t
became clear that such intrigue was
their settled policy.
(To Be Continued)
----O---