The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-02-08

and the universally recognized die
tates OF humanity, the government OF
the United States is at last forced to
the conclusion that there Is but one
course it can pursue. Unless the inn
perial government should now and i'm
mediately declare and effect an aban-
donment of its present methods of
submarine warfare against passenger
and freight carrying vessels, the gov
eminent of the United States can have
no choice but 10 sever diplomatic re-
lations with the German empire alto
gether.'
"In reply to this declaration the inn
perial German government gave this
government the following assurance:
1.-The German government Is pre-
pared to do its utmost 10 contine the
operations Of the war for the rest OF
IT'S duration TO the fighting forces OF
the belligerents. thereby also assuring
the freedom of the seas, principle
upon which the German government
believes. now as before. to he in agree
ment with the government of the
United States.
1.-THE German government. guided
by this idea. notifies the government
of the United States that the German
naval forces have received the follow
ing orders: Ia accordance with the
general principles of visit and search
and destruction of MERCHANT vessels
recognized by international law. such
vessels. both within and without the
area declared as naval war zone,
declared as naval war zone. shall not
be sunk without warning and without
saving human lives. unless these ships
attempt to escape or offer resistance.
Incompatible With Neutrality.
But il added. 'nsCir;tis cannot
expect that Germany, forced TO fight
for her existence. shall. for the sake Of
neutral interests. restrict the use OF an
effective weapon If her enemy is per-
mitted 10 continue 10 apply AT will
methods of Warfare violating the rules
of international law. Such deInanh
would be incompatible with The char
acter of neutrality. and Tie German
government is convinced that the gov
ernment of The Waited States does not
think of making such demand.
knowing that the government of The
United States has repeatedly declared
that IL is determined 20 restore the
principle of the freedom of The seas,
from whatever faarier it has been Sio
Iatetl.'
ITO this the government of the Unit
ed States replied ON the eighth of Mny,
accepting.. Of course. the assurance CIV
en-. hut adding:
The government uf the United
States feels II necessary la state Thar
ii takes II for granted thar tie I'M
perial German government dues not
intend ii to iniply That The maintenance
of its newly announced policy is In any
way contingent upouffhe ttatirSe of re-
suits of diplomatic negotiations be-
tween the government of The Omitted
States and other bplilgerent govern.
.nents. Notwithstanding the fact that
certain passages in the imperial gov
ernmpnfS uOte of the fourth instant
might appear Ia he susceptible of that
construction In artlSr. however, 10
avoid any Possible misunderstanding.
the government of the Uuitpd States
notifies the imperial government that
much less discuss. Il suggestion that
respect 10y Gerltan naval authorities
for the rights Of citizens Of The United
States upon the high seas should in
any way in the slightest degree be-
made contingent upon the cOnducI Of
any olher government affecting the
rights OF neutrats and nOnconbatantS
Responsibility in such matters is
single, not joint; absolute, not rela-
tive
'TO this note of the eighth Of May
the imperial German government made
no reply. On the thirty-frst Of JaBu-
airy, the Wednesday of the present
week, the German ambassador handed
to the secretary of state. along with n
formal note. Il memorandum which
contains the following statements:
The imperial government. there
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 determine
ton to destroy the central powers. and
that the government of the United
states will further realize that the
now openly disclosed Intentions of the
entente allies give hack 70 Germany
the freedom of action which she re-
served in her note addressed TO the
government of the United States on
May 4, 1916.
Under these circumstances Ger
many Will meet the illegal measures
of her enemies by forclhly preventing
after February ], 1917. in. zone
around Great Britain. France, Italy
and in the eastern Mediterranean all
navigation, that of neutrals included.
from and to England and from and to
France, etc, etc. All ships met within
the zone will be sunk
II think that you will agree with me
that, in view of this declaration. which
suddenly and without prior intlmation