Evening capital news., May 05, 1916, Image 1

About Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927

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O EVENING CAPITAL NEWS 0
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BOISE, IDAHO, FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1916.
.Vol. XXXVI
No. 112
TEN PAGES
GERMANY RESENTS NOTE
HAS GIVEN ORDERS FOR
MODIFYING WARFARE
BITTER COMPLAINT
AGAINST POLICY
IS RECORDED
«
American Government Is Accused of Not
f Showing the Same Attitude Toward
Great Britain as Toward Germany
Berlin, May 5.—(Wireless)—Germany today handed Ambassador Gerard the note in
ply to the American government respecting submarine warfare.
The note says German submarine forces have orders to conduct submarine warfare
in accordance with tint general principles of visit, search and destruction of merchant
vessels recognized by international law, the sole exception being the conduct of war
fare against enemy trade carried on enemy freight ships encountered in the war zone
surrounding Great Britain. The note expressed the hope that the United States will
insist that Great Britain shall observe the rules of international law universally recog
nized before the war.
Germany now declares she is prepared to do her utmost to confine her operations of
the war "to the fightihg forces of the belligerents, thereby also insuring freedom of
the seas." The German government, guided by this idea, notifies the United States
that German naval forces have received the following:
In accordance with the general principles of visit, search and destruction of mer
chant vessels recognized by international law, such vessels both within and without
the area declared in tlqe naval war zone, shall not be sunk without warning and with
out saving the lives of those on board unless the ship shall attempt to escape or offer
resistance.
But neutrals cannot expect that Germany, forced to fight for her existence," says
the note, "shall for the sake of neutral interests restrict the use of an effective weapon
if the enemy is permitied to continue to apply at will methods of warfare violating the
rules of international law. Such a demand would be incompatible with the character
of neutrality. Germany is convinced that the United States does not think of making
*uch a demand, knowing that the United States has repeatedly declared it is deter
mined to restore the principle of the freedom of the seas, from whatever quarter it has
been violated.
Accordingly Germany is confident, in consequence of the new orders issued to
her naval forces, that the United States will also now consider all impediments re
moved which may have been in the way of mutual co-operation toward the restoration of
freedom of the seas duifing the war, as suggested in the note of July 23, 1915, and it
does not doubt the United States will now demand and insist that the British govern
ment shall forthwith oliserve the rules of international law universally recognized be
fore the war and as are laid down in notes presented by the United States to Great
Britain.
re
.. i
> »
ti
u
Should the steps taken by the United States not attain the object it desires, to have
the laws of humanity fallowed by all belligerent nations, Germany would then be fac
ing a new situation in yhich it must reserve to itself complete liberty of decision.
n
»I
ing a new yhich
The note says the German
government gave the evi
dence presented by the
United States in the Sussex
case to the naval authorities
and judging by the results
of the investigations Ger
many is alive to the possibil
ity that the ship mentioned
in the note of April 10 as
having been torpedoed by a
German submarine is act
ually identical wittf the Sus
K sex." Should it turn out
that the commander was
wrong in assuming the ves
sel to be a man-of-war, Ger
will not fail to draw
;
,.
many
the consequences resulting
therefrom.
Assertion Is Cepudisted.
"In connection with the case of the
Bussex, the goverrment of the United
States has made a rerie. of statements,
me gist of which is the assertion that
the incident Is to be considered but one
Instance of a deliberate method of ln
discriminate destruction of vessels of
all sorts, nationalities and destinations
fcy German submarine commanders.
"The German government mu em
phatically repudiate such an assertion.
The German government,
thinks It of little avail to enter Into de
tails in the present stage of affairs,
more particularly as the government of
the United States omitted to substan
tiate the assertion by reference to con
crete facts.
"The German government will only
state it has imposed far reaching re
straints upon the use of the submarine
weapon, solely In consideration of neu
trals' interests ..nd in spite of the fact
that these restrictions are necessarily
; of advantage to Germany's enemies. No
such consideration has ever been shown
neutrals by Great Britain and her
allies.
however,
Made Proposals to U. S.
"The German government has made
several proposals to the government of
the United States in order to reduce to
a minimum for .'.merlcan travelers and
goods the inherent dangers of naval
warfare. Unfortunately, the govern
ment
not to accept these proposals. Had It
accepted, the government of the United
states would have been instrumental in
preventing a greater part of the acci
dents that American citizens have met
with in the meantime.
"The German ; overnment still stands
by its offer to come to an agreement
along these lines.
"As the German government has re
peatedly declared, it cannot dispense
with the UBe of the submarine weapon
in the conduct of its warfare against
enemy trade. The German government,
the United States has decided
however, has now decided to make fur
ther concession, adapting the methods
of submarine warfare to the interests
of neutrals.
"Il reaching this decision the Ger
r. in government Is actuated by con
siderations which are above the level
of the disputed question.
Acted in Self Defense.
"In self defense against the Illegal
conduct of British warfare while fight
ing a bitter struggle for her national
existence, Germany had to resort to
hard but effective weapon of submarine
warfare.
"As matters stand, the German gov
ernment cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments of humanity which
the government of the United States
extends with sich fervor to the un
happy victims of submarine warfare,
are not extended with the same warmth
of feeling to the many millions of wo
men and children who, according to the
vowed Intention of the British govern
ment, shall be starved, and who, by
their sufferings, shall force the victor
ious armies of central powers into Ig
nominious capitulation. Thr German
government. In agreement with the
German people, fails to unde' stand this
discrimination, all more as it has re
peatedly and e: plicltly declared itself
ready to i se the submarine weapon In
strict conformity with the rules of In
ternational law. as recognized before
the outbreak of the war, If Great Bri
tain Is likewise ready to adapt tl.e con
(Continued on Page Two)
B ZTwJtZlT
Have Been Met
New York, May 5.—Count von Bemstorff re
ceived the text of the German note at a hotel here.
It is known the German embassy's view is that the
note is all for which the United States asked; that
it signalizes the return to what is termed "cruiser
warfare''-»-that is, the operation of submarines as
cruisers, intercepting commerce with visit and
search. The embassy's view is that inasmuch as
no mention is made in the note of the question of
armament, it is not a complicating feature.
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PERSHING SAYS
HE HAS VILLA
I
LOCATED
■At General Fun
E1 Paso, May 6.
ston's headquarters here today It was
said a message had been received from
General Pershing In which he stated
he thought he had located Villa.
tjv rpTTTp TjnTiaTnPXn 1
ijjt Illfi i XtüiölUJan A
-
STATEMENT ISSUED
Washington, May 5.—President Wll
son announced yesterday the tentative
agreement between General Scott and
General Obregon covering the future
operations of the American and Mexl
can military forces in Mexico pro
vides "a basis of co-operation which
promlses to prevent misunderstand
lngs and strengthens the cordial rela
tions of the two republics."
President Wilson Issued this state
ment:
"1 have examined with the secretary
of war, the report made by General
Hugh L. Scott of the conference be
tween him and General Obregon, sec
retary of war of the republic of Mex
ico.
"The report Includes a tentative
agreement covering the future opera
tions of both the American and Mex
ican military forces and evidences cor
dial co-operation between the two gov
ernments In their common purpose.
"As this agreement Is being submit
ted to the defacto government of
Mexico, It would not be proper for me
to permit its publication until that
government has an opportunity to ex
amine and consider Its provisions. The
full text of the proposed agreement
will be given out immediately upon
its acceptance by both governments.
In general. I may say that It pro
vides a basis of co-operation which
promises to prevent misunderstanding
and strengthens the cordial relations
of the two republics."
TO RELEASE GERMANS
TAKEN FROM STEAMER
London, May 'S. —The British govern
ment has decided to release the 98 Ger
mans and Austrixns who were taken
from the American steamship China.
FRENCH TRENCHES ARE
CAPTURED BY GERMANS
Tlerlin,
Germans have captured French trench
es southeast of Haucourt on the Verdun
front. Repeated French attacks against
the German position west of Deadmdo's
Hill broks down.
May R. — (Wireless)—The
GRAVE VIEW OF
TAKEN
New York, May 6.—Wall street's
grave view of the German note was
reflected today In the demoralised tone
of the stock market at the opening,
active Issues
group, breaking three to six points,
With 19 for Bethlehem Steel. 1
t had numerous selling orders.
I market at the opening had little sup
particularly the war
Brokers
The
j p or t.
'
j intimating that certain features of the
n ote had made a favorable Impression
caused renewed buying of the leading
stocks. In the afternoon virtually
nothing remained of the losses ln
curred at the opening,
Unofficial advices from Washington
FOUR MORE ARE
GIVEN DEATH
SENTENCE
Dublin, May B.—Four more rebels
sentenced to death by courtmartlal
were shot today. They were Joseph
Plunkett, Edward Daly, Michael
O'Hanrahan and William Pearse.
Eighteen other rebels were sentenced
to death, the official statement adds,
but later their sentences were com
muted to penal servitude.
ZEPPELIN DESTROYED
BY BRITISH CRUISERS
London, May R.—(Official)—A Zep
pelin dirigible balloon was destroyed
yesterday by one of the British light
cruiser squadrons off the Schleswig
coast.
ZEPPELIN BLOWN UP
BY THE NORWEGIANS
Copenhagen, May R.—Military auth
orities at Stavarger. Norway, blew up
the Zeppelin L-20 yesterday when it be
gan to roll dangerously in a strong
wind. Soldiers fired upon the airship
from a distance of 60 yards. The Zep
pelin exploded with a great cetonatlon
and burned.
Wl01111 Mm
ON THE GERMAN NOTE
No Action Will Be Taken Until Official
Copy Is Received and Studied—Gen
eral Tone Creates a Very Unfavor
able Impression
Washington, May 5.—The press copy of the German
reply to the latest American note was placed before the
cabinet today. The first impression of the full text did
not much relieve the unfavorable impression created by
the opening portions, although it was admitted the new
instructions to submarine commanders would be weighed
and considered before their acceptability to the United
States would be determined.
One of the chief points for consideration seemed to be
Germany's reference to immunity of "merchant vessels
recognized by international law.'' This was regarded as
having possibilities of relating to the dispute over ques
tions of armament and'the alleged instructions of the Brit
ish admiralty to merchant captains to attack submarines.
No action will be taken until the official text of the note
arrives and has been studied. President Wilson has al
ready discussed with the cabinet steps to be taken in case
the note is found unsatisfactory. The official text is ex
pected by Sunday, on the anniversary of the sinking of
the Lusitania.
After the press copy of the German note was read two
views were current in official circles. One was that Ger
many had declared her intention of abandoning hSr "pres
ent methods of submarine warfare" as demanded by the
president and that the United States might have to wait
to see whether the abandonment would be effected. The
other was that the United States, having already attempt
ed to have Great Britain give up its interference with
neutral commerce and having told Germany that it can
not discuss with her its negotiations with Great Britain,
has no course but to break diplomatic relations with Ger
many.
While the general tone of the German note created an
unfavorable impression, officials took the view that the
language was immaterial if the guarantees were real.
Germany's declaration that she had issued new orders to
submarine commanders not to attack without warning
merchant vessels recognized by international law" was
considered the chief point.
The cabinet was in session for over two hours, the long
est meeting in months. Cabinet members were uncom
municative, saying no steps would be taken until the offi
cial text was before the president. The private view of
officials was apparently that
commanders apparently met the demands of the United
States, unless the interpretation placed on them lead to
attacks on merchant vessels armed for defensive purposes.
The general tenor of the German note, however, was con
sidered unsatisfactory. As members left the White
House several indicated that the United States would have
to wait and see whether the new orders to submarine com
manders were carried out.
i 1
the new orders to submarin-j
GREAT VARIETY
EXPRESSED
Washington, May I.—Congress re
ceived the German note quietly, with
members expressing a variety of views.
Senators of the foreign relations com
mittee refrained from talking. Others
thought the reply was favorable, knt
some T.ore doubtful of the conditions
apparently attached. Some others
thought it had not advanced negotia
tions toward a settlement at all. On the
surface there were no Indications of
activity In the group which opposed the
president's policy of pressing his de
mands.
NAVAL BATTLE
REPORTED
Berlin, May R.—(Wireless)—A battle
In'the Adriatic between Italian and
Austrian .warships and air craft la re
ported by the Austro-Hungarian admir
alty. The statement adds that Aus
trian airships have raided the Italian
city of Ravenna.
Tsxas Commercial Travelers.
Corpus Christie, Tex, May B.—Warm
welcome to Corpus Christie waa given
today to the several hundred delegates
and visitors assembled for the annual
convention of the Texas division of the
Travelers' Protective association. The
convention will continue over tomor
row.
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