Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1915 — BERLIN UNYIELDING, BUT NOTE FRIENDLY [ARTICLE]

BERLIN UNYIELDING, BUT NOTE FRIENDLY

Reply to U. S. Protest Says Blockade Is Necessary. USED AS SELF-DEFENSE Commanders of Submarines Told to Use Vigilance to Spare American Vessels—Warships Urged to Accompany Ships in War Zone.

Berlin, Germany (via London), Feb. 19. —The reply of Germany to the protest of tlie United States against u blockade of British waters is couched in the most friendly terms, but firmly maintains the position of Germany as already announced. The answer, which is a long document, was converted into code at the United States embassy under the direction of Ambassador Gerard and has been transmitted In full to Washington. The note explains that Gerinany.’s proposed action is rendered necessary by Great Britain’s policy o/ attempting to cut off the food supply for the Gorman civil population by a method never recognized in international law. England’s course in ordering merchantmen to My neutral Mags and equipping them with artillery, with orders to destroy submarines, the German reply contends, renders nugatory the right of search and gives Germany the right to attack English shipping Germany holdß that Bhe cannot abandon that right under the stress which England has put upon her. Since Germany must compel the nations with which she is at war to return to the recognized principles of international law and restore the freedom of the seas, she argues that tho stand she has taken is necessary. Suggests Convoy by Warships. The note recommends that the United States government Bend warships to England to convoy merchant vessels through the danger zone, with the understanding that weasels thus guarded shall carry no war supplies. Hope is expressed that the American government will understand the position in,which Germany has been placed and appreciate the reasons for Its course.

The rCfdy closes with an expression of the hope that the United Stateß may prevail on Great Britain I‘to return to the principles of International law recognized prior to the outbreak of the war,” and in particular obtain the observance of the declaration of London by belligerents opposed to Germany. If this is done, the note explains, Germany would be enabled to import food supplies and raw materials. Germany Would recognize this, says tho reply, an invaluable service toward a more humane conditpt of the war and would act in accordance with the new situation thus created. Asks U. S, to Prevent Arms Trade. Great Britain is, with the toleration of neutral governments, not only supplied with such goods as are not contraband, but with goods which are regarded by Great Britain, if sent to Germany, as absolute contraband. The German government feels itself obliged to point out with the greatest emphasis that a traffic in arms, estimated at many hundreds of millions, is being carried on between'United States firms and Germany’s enemies. If it is a formal right of neutrals to take no steps to protect their legitimate trade with Germany, and even to allow themselves to be influenced in the direction of the conscious and willful destruction of their trade, on the other hand they have the perfect right, which they unfortunately do not exercise, to cease contraband trade, especially in arms, with Germany’s enemies. i

The German government is resolved to suppress the importation of war materials to Great Britain and her allies, and she takes it for granted that neutral governments, which so far have taken no steps against trafficking in arms with Germany’s enemies, will not oppose forcible suppression by Germany of this trade. Germany trusts that the neutrals who so far have submitted to the disadvantageous consequences of Great Britain’s hunger war in silence, or merely registered a protest, will display for Germany no smaller measure of toleration, even if German measures, like those of Great Britain, present new terrors of naval warfare. Germany is ready to deliberate with the United States concerning any measure which might secure the safety of legitimate shipping of neutrals in the war zone. Rushing Reply to Germany. Washington, Feb.. 19 —The text of the German reply yvas received by the press before it reached the state department, though Ambassador Gerard cabled a summary, which reached Secretary Bryan at night. -■ . ■ —.Mi, 1.'M.... - . .1

Fsr fWehdy-four hours it has been under consideration. A draft of the president’s reply now is in course of preparation—the administration is moving rapidly because of the interruption of American commence with the British Isles as a result of the fear of destruction aroused by the German decree —and it will be considered by the "cabinet at a meeting today. The communication as finally approved will be cabled tonight to Ambassador Gerard for immediate presentation to Herr von Jagow, minister for foreign affairs.