The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-18

,iy AElSuuly IeidtlOuS dL pTcScut CAAoI-
ing.
The charge is made that England's
methods of warfare are In direct con-
national law and the claim is made
that at all times Germany has strict
lily adhered to, the principles of the
declaration Of London. England, 1t
is charged, has contemptuously de-
fed all neutrals and her action in in
sisting on right Of search and deten-
ton, is declared to show that she has
no respect for the rights of neutrals
generally.
| The German government renews its
previous recommendation that the
American ships avoid the war zone
been, properly proclaimed and as Ger
many has demonstrated that the Brit.
ish government has misused neutral
flags on its shipping.
In Self Defense.
BERLIN, Feb. IS. (via Amsterdam.)
The text OF the German reply to the
United States protest against the sub
marine blockade was made public to-
| day and It il, a. expected Arm reiter-
0SAOA 66hAnbt Eu6ISAS u0OtLlOuGs AAA
tone, the answer is especially friendly
to the United States, but 1t is careful
ily set forth that Germany took the
liberation and because the English
lcepted principles Of international
law
! The German government is declar-
! ed to be "in accord with the United
States, that It Is in a high degree de-
sirable to avoid misunderstanding
which might arise from the measures
announced by the German admiralty"
Reference is made to the note of
February 4. which 1t is stated. accur-
ately set >forththe reasons for the Ger
man actions.
This action is in no way q meas
ure directed against the commerce of
neutrals," it says, but represents
/ solely measure OF self defense i'm
posed on Germany by her vital inter
ests against England's methods OF
warfare
1t is stated that Germany at all
times has adhered to the valid inter.
national rules Of warfare and agreed
at the very outset of the war to rati-
| fy the principles of the declaration OF
London. 1t is pointed out that until
today Germany has permitted the
transportation of provisions from Den.
mark although she has always been
in position to prevent 1t. Germany
also subscribes to the note Of the
United States to England on Decem-
ber 20 protesting against British In
| reference with American shipping.
i The holding up Of the Wilhelmina's
cargo Of food stuffs is referred to as
a fiagrant breech of international law.
Germany is declared to be cut off
1 from her overseas supply by the
"silent or protesting toleration of neu-
trails, both as regards conditional and
actual contraband Of war, while Great
Britain, is with the toleration of neu-
trial governments, supplied with both.
The German government, ex-
plains the note, feels itself obliged
to point out with the greatest en-
phasis, that traffic in arms estimat-
ed at many hundreds OF millions, Is
being carried on between American
firms and Germany's enemies. Ger
many fully comprehends that the prac-
tice Of right and the liberation OF
wrong on the part Of neutrais are
! matters aDSOlulelS ~ lue uiSSA Stao-A
of neutrais and involve no formal
violation OF neutrality.
This 1t is declared is merely point
ed out because Germany feels that
her legitimate commerce rights are
severely prejudiced by the fact that
neutrals in safeguarding their rights
in legitimate commerce with Germany
according to international law, have,
Inn to the present, achieved no, or
1 onlv insignificant, results. while they
Iare making unlimited use of their right
Inv carrying on contraband traffic with
Great Britain and other enemies.
/ It is pointed out that neutrais have
The right which they should exercise
of forcing the cessation of contraband
trade, especially in arms, with Ger
lmanys enemies. The note tnen con
cludes: "In view of this situation,
Germany. after six months OF patient
waiting, sees herself obliged to an
swer Great Britains murderous meth
Il z 4