The Irish standard., 1915-02-27

estimated at many hundreds of mill
lions, is being carried on between
American firms and Germany's ene-
mics. Germany fully comprehends that
the practice of right and the tolera-
tion of wrong on the part of the neu-
trails are matters absolutely at the dis
cretion of neutrals and involve no for.
NAL violation of neutrality. Germany,
therefore, did not complain of any for
NAL violation of neutrality, but the
German Government, in view of COM
plete evidence before it, cannot help
pointing out that it, together with the
entire public opinion of Germany,
feels itself to be severely prejudiced
by the fact that neutrals, in safeguard
ing their rights in legitimate commerce
with Germany, according to interna-
tional law, have, up to the present,
achieved no, or only insignificant re-
suits, while they are making unlimited
use of their right by carrying on con-
traband traffic with Great Britain and
our other enemies.
''If it is a formal right of neutrals
to take no steps to protect their legit-
innate trade with Germany and even
to allow themselves to be Influenced
in the direction of conscious and will
full restriction of their trade, on the
other hand, they have perfect right,
which they unfortunately do not ex-
ercise, to cease contraband trade, es-
pecially in arms, with Germany's enc
mics. - -.
"In view of this situation, Ger
many, after six months of patient
waiting, sees herself obliged to an
swer Great Britain's murderous meth
cd of naval warfare with sharp coun-
ter-measures. If Great Britain, in her
fight against Germany, summons hung
er as an ally for the purpose of i'm
posing upon civilized people Of seventy
millions the choice between destruc-
tion and starvation or submission to
Great Britain's commercial will, then
Germany today is determined to take
up the gauntlet and appeal to similar
allies.
No ToIeration for Germany.
Germany trusts that the neutrals
who so far have submitted to the dis
advantageous consequences of Great
Britain's hunger war in silence, or
mostly in registering protest, will
display toward Germany no smaller
measure of federation, even if German
measures, like those of Great Britain,
present new terrors of naval warfare.
Moreover, the German Government
is resolved to suppress with all the
means at its disposal the importation
of war material to Great Britain and
her Allies and she takes it for granted
that neutral Governments which so far
have taken no steps against the traf-
fic in arms with Germany's enemies,
will not oppose forcible suppression by
Germany of this trade.
Acting from this point of view, the
German admiralty proclaimed a naval
war zone whose limits it exactly de.
fined. Germany, SO far as possible,
will seek to close this war zone with
mines and also will endeavor to de
stroy hostile merchant vessels in every
other way. While the German Govern
ment, in taking action based upon this
overpowering point of view, keeps it
self far removed from all intentional
destruction of neutral lives and prop
erty, on the other hand it does not fai
to recognize that from the action tt
be taken against Great Britain dangers
arise which threaten all trade within
the war zone without distinction. Thi'
} is natural result of mine warfar,
: which, even under the strictest observ
ance of the limits of international law
, endangers every ship approaching tn
, mine area. The German Governmen
. considers itself entitled to hope tha
all neutrals will acquiesce in thes
measures, as they have done in tn
case Of the grievous damages inflicte
, upon them by. British measures, al
r the more so as Germany is resolved
for the protection of neutral shipping
e even in the naval war zone, to d
everything which is at all compatibl
4 with the attainment of this object.
l. I'm view of the fact that German
|. gave the first proof of her good wi
), in fixing a time limit of not less tina
l. fourteen days before the execution ,
b said measure, so that neutral shi
y ping might have an opportunity
Is making arrangements to avoid threa
!, ening danger, this can most surely
J. achieved by remaining away from IL
Al naval war zone. Neutral vessel
h which, despite this ample notice, whi,
" greatly affects the achievement of o.
d. aims in our war against Great Britai
ls enter these closed waters will thel
le (Continued on page ~