The German Government attaches no less importance to the sacred principles of humanity than the Government of the United States. It again fully takes into account that both Governments for many years cooperated in developing international law in conformity with these principles, the ultimate object of which has always been to confine warfare on sea and land to armed forces of belligerents and safeguard as far as possible noncombatants against the horrors of war. _German Gov't. reply to U. S. Government in Sussex Case. May, 1916._ [Illustration] _Von Tirpitz_: "_Well, my dears, I'm afraid you will have to improve your manners--for a while at least._" * * * * * The German Government notifies the Government of the United States that German naval forces have received the following order: In accordance with the general principles of visit and search and the destruction of merchant vessels, recognized by international law, such vessels, both within and without the area declared a naval war zone, shall not be sunk without warning and without saving human lives unless the ship attempt to escape or offer resistance. _Imperial German Government to United States Government. May 4, 1916._ [Illustration] "_WELL, MR. PRESIDENT, IF YOU INSIST, WE SHALL TRY TO BEHAVE LIKE GENTLEMEN._" * * * * * In view of the circumstances the German Government frankly admits that the assurance given to the American Government, in accordance with which passenger vessels were not to be attacked without warning, has not been adhered to in the present case. As was intimated by the undersigned in the note of the 4th instant, the German Government does not hesitate to draw from this resultant consequences. It therefore expresses to the American Government its sincere regret regarding the deplorable incident and declares its readiness to pay an adequate indemnity to the injured American citizens. It also disapproved of the conduct of the commander, who has been appropriately punished. VON JAGOW, _German Foreign Secretary to United States Government, 8th May, 1916._ [Illustration] _GOTT STRAFE VERDUN_ "_I wish I knew whether it is wiser to retreat or to advance_" VERDUN * * * * * For more than two months the battle of Verdun has raged almost ceaselessly day and night. It is conceded that Germany has concentrated picked troops and heavy guns in quantities never before seen in war. Yet, apart from the first withdrawal of General Petain's army from outlying positions to definite lines of defense, the two months fighting has not given the attacking forces a gain of two miles. _Current History, New York._ [Illustration] _GERMAN MILITARISM ON THE ALLIES' OPERATING TABLE_ "_For the sake of the world's future we must first use the knife_" * * * * *