necessarily of advantage to Germany's enemies. No
such consideration has ever been shown neutrals by Great Britain and
her allies.

"The German submarine forces have had, in fact, orders to conduct the
submarine warfare in accordance with the general principles of visit
and search and the destruction of merchant vessels recognized by
international law, the sole exception being the conduct of warfare
against enemy trade carried on enemy freight ships encountered in the
war zone surrounding Great Britain.

"With regard to these no assurances have ever been given to the
Government of the United States. No such assurances are contained in
the declaration of February 8, 1916.

"The German Government cannot admit any doubt that these orders were
given or are executed in good faith."

Having said so much, the German note proceeded to cloud the issue by
virtually blaming the United States for the continued existence of
conditions calling for the sea warfare Germany practiced:

"The German Government has made several proposals to the Government of
the United States in order to reduce to a minimum for American
travelers and goods the inherent dangers of naval warfare.
Unfortunately, the Government of the United States decided not to
accept the proposals. Had it accepted, the Government of the United
States would have been instrumental in preventing the greater part of
the accidents that American citizens have met with in the meantime.

"The German Government still stands by its offer to come to an
agreement along these lines."

As though this reproach did not go far enough, the German note, while
affirming that the German Government attached no less importance to
the sacred principles of humanity than the American Government did,
accused the United States of showing favoritism in its humanitarian
sympathies:

"As matters stand, the German Government cannot but reiterate regret
that the sentiments of humanity, which the Government of the United
States extends with such fervor to the unhappy victims of submarine
warfare, are not extended with the same warmth of feeling to many
millions of women and children who, according to the avowed intention
of the British Government, shall be starved, and who by sufferings
shall force the victorious armies of the Central Powers into
ignominious capitulation.

"The German Government, in agreement with the German people, fails to
understand this discrimination, all the more as it has