The Washington times., 1915-07-11
Official Text of German Reply

blockading neutral coasts and ports
contrary to all international law.
Long before the beginning of the
submarine war England practically
completely intercepted legitimate
neutral navigation TO Germany also.
Thus Germany was driven to SUBJ
marine war on trade. On Novem-
Der l6, 1914. the English prime min
lister declared in the house OF com
mons that 1t was one OF Engiands
principal tasks to prevent food for
the German population from reach.
Ing Germany by way OF neutral
ports. Since March / of this year
England has been taking from neu-
ell merchandise proceeding to Ger
many as well as all merchandise
coming from Germany even when
neutral property. Just az was the
case with the Beers the German peo-
pie is now TO be given the choice of
perishing from starvation with its
women and children or relinquishing
Its independence.
While our enemies thus loudly and
openly have proclaimed war without
we are. conducting war in self-de-
Tense for our national existence,
and for the sake OF peace OF assured
permanency. We have been obliged
TO adopt submarine warfare TO meet
the declared intentions of our ene-
mics and the methods Of warfare
adopted by them in contravention Of
international law.
Interests Might Suffer.
With all its efforts in principle
to protect neutral life and property
from damage as much as possible
the German government recognized
unreservediy in its memorandum of
February 4. that the interests of
neutrals might suffer from subma-
rine warfare. However the Amer
lean Government will also under
stand and appreciate that in the
fight for existence which has been
forced upon Germany by It's adver-
saries and announced by them II Is
ernment TO do all within its power
to protect and TO save the lives Of
government were derelict In these.
It's duties. it would be guilty be-
fore God and history Of the viola
tion Of those principles Of the high
est humanity which are the founda-
uoE OF every national existence.
The case of the Lusitania shows
with horrible clearness to what
manner of conducting war employed
by our adversaries leads.
In most direct contradiction OF
International law all distinctions
between merchantmen and war
vessels have been obliterated by
the order 10 BritiSh merchantmen
TO arm themselves and to ram
submarines, and the promise of re-
wards therefor; and neutrals who
use merchantmen as travellers have
thereby been exposed in an Tn
Creasing degree to all the dangers
OF war.
II the commander OF the German
submarine which destroyed the
Lusitania had Caussd the crew and
travellers to put out In boats be-
fore firing the torpedo this would
have meant the sure destruction
OF his own vessel. After the eXpe-
riences in the sinking OF much
smaller and less seaWorthly vessels
II was to be expected that a
mighty ship like the Lusitania
would remain above water long
enough even after the torpedoing
to permit the passengers TO enter
the ships boats. Circumstances OF
very peculiar kind, especially
the presence on board of large
quantities OF highly explosive ma
terials. defeated this expectation.
In addition. II may be pointed out
that II the Lusltania had been spared
thousands of cases of ammunition
would have been sent to Germany's 3
enemies. and thereby thousands OF
German mothers and children robbed
of their supporters.
Not To Hinder u S. Ships.
In the spirit of friendship with
which the German nation has been
imbued toward the Union and its