The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-11-05
..v.S f.tyyI PLEAD
TOU.S.F)R MERCY
Germany is Squea|ing Over
Bombing Of Towns.
STOP IT., THEIR Wall
Official Note From Berlin Protests
That Air Raids Have Been Carried
Out Against Seven Towns.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 5.-The German
government notified the United States
that since October l its air forces
have been under orders to make bomb
attacks solely against important hos
tile military objects within the lmme-
diate operations of war on the as
sumption that allied and American
forces were TO receive similar instruc-
tiOnS.
The note, delivered through the
Swiss legation, protests that air raids
have been carried out recently against
seven German towns, with loss of life
among the civilian population, and
says that unless such raids cease Ger
many cannot refrain from aerial at
tacks on allied territory outside Of
the zone of operations.
This was the first notice received
by the American government that such
orders had been issued to the German
air forces which have constantly raid
ed defenseleSs cities and towns in
France Great Britain and Italy since
the war began. The state department
made public the German note without
comment. 1t follows:
"The German aerial forces have
been under orders since the beginning
of October of this year only to make
bomb attacks. which are directed sole
ly against important hostile military
objects, within the immediate area Of
operations of war. These orders were
issued on the assumption that the en-
emy aerial forces were to receive sim
liar instructions.
"In assuming this the German peo-
pie find themselves disappointed. A
short time ago the enemy made bomb
attacks on the German towns of Wet
War, KaiserSlautern, Mannheim, Lud-
wigshafen, Fretburg, Forbach and
Weisbaden, claiming numerous vic
tins among the civilian population.
Nor has occupied territory been spar
ed 1t is evident that Germany can
refrain from aerial attacks on enemy
territory behind the area of operations
only i, on tAsir side, the enemy, from
recinrocate and alSa sGo
frain - - ss5f %'operatfo4fs
.@>ax-;s.sssaFs peetation that the inten-.
'ffon, shared by the other side, to fur
ther humanity and preserve important
objects of culture will meet with the
understanding of the opponents the
German government proposes to the
governments of the other belligerent
cauntries that corresponding instruc-
tons be issued without delay to their
aerial forces, informing it of the meas
ureS taken"
There is no intimation as to what
action, if any, the American govern
ment will take with regard to the Ger
man protest. 1t is said authoritative
". however, that official reports show
that American air operations have not
up to this time gone beyond attacks
upon purely military obiectives. Such
damages as may have been caused to
non-military property and civilian
losses have been incidental, it is said.
In view of the repeated raids of
German air forces during the last
four years, not only on defenseless
towns in France, England and Bel
gium, but also on hospitals plainly
marked and far beyond the fighting
zones, military diplomatic observers
here do not believe the German pro-
test will be taken seriously by the
allied governments.