The Nome daily nugget., 1915-08-09

Berlin, July 8.
 "The undersigned has the honor 10 make the following reply to His Ex- cellency Ambassador Gerard, to the note of the 10th ultimo le the impair ment of American interests by the German submarine war. The Imperial Government learned with satisfaction from the note how earnestly the Gov ernment of the United States is con- cerned in seeing the principles of hu- manity realized in the present war. Also this appeal finds ready echo in Germany and the Imperial Government is quite willing to permit its state ments and decisions in the present case to be governed by the principles of humanity just as it has done always.
 "The Imperial Government welcomed with gratitude when the American Government. in the note of May 15, itself recalled that Germany had al- ways permitted itself to be governed by the principles of progress and hu- manity in dealing with the law of maritime war.
 Since the time when Frederick the Great negotiated with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas .Jef- ferson the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce of September 9. 1785. be- tweHn Prussia and the Republic of the WeSt, German and American statesmen have. in fact. always stood together in the struggle for the freedom of the seas and for the protection of peace able trade. In the international pro- ceedings which since have been con- ducted for the regulation of the laws of maritime war Germany and Amer ica have jointly advocated progressive principles. especially the abolishment of the right of capture at sea and the protection of the interests of neutrals
 "Even at the beginning of the pre- sent war the German Government im- mediately declared its willingness. in tSSPObCC tO pioDO5diS DI the Anfflcdn Government, to ratify the declaration of London and thereby subject itself in the use of it's naval forces to all the restrictions provided therein in fa vor of neutrals.
 Germany likewise has beeen always tenacious of the principle that war ahn,tIA he and organized forces of an enemy country. buf that the enemy civilian population must be spared so far as possible from the measures of war
 "The Imperial Government cherishes the definite hope that some way will be found when peace is concluded, or maritime war in a manner guarantee ing the freedom of the seas and will welcome it with gratitude and satis- faction If it can work hand in hand with the American Government on that occasion
 If in the present war the principles which should be the ideal of the future have been transgressed more and more. the longer it's duration, the German Government has no guilt therein.
 'It is known to the American Gov ernment how Germany's adversaries. by completely paralyzing peaceable traffic between Germany and neutral countries. have aimed from the very beginning and with increasing lack of consideration at the destruction not so much of the armed forces as the life of the German nation, repudiating in doing so all the rules of international law and disregarding all rights of neu- trals
 "On November 3. 1914, England de- clared the North Sea war area. and by planting poorly anchored mines and by the stoppage and capture of vessels made passage extremely dan gerous and difficult for neutral ship ping. so (byO actually blockadine neutral coasts and ports contrary to all international law. Long before the beginning of submarine war England practically completely intercepted legi- timate neutral navigation to Germany also. Thus Germany was driven to Q submarine war on trade.
 ''On November "A. 1914. the English Premier declared in the House of Com mons that 1t was one of Englands principal tasks to prevent food for the German population from reaching Ger many via neutral ports. Since March England has been taking from neu tral ships without further formality all merchandise proceeding to Ger many, as well as all merchandise com ing from Germany. even when neutral property Just as 1t was also with the Boers. the German people is now to be given the choice of perishing from sto for i1-