Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-03-04

tornational law The American gov
ernment would rather regard suoh an
agreement as q modus vivendi, which
Is based more on suitableness than on
legal right
German Reply.
The German reply to the note Of
the United States was dispatched last
sunday II begins as follows,
THE German government has taken
note OF the American suggestion with
lively interest and secs therein new
proof of friendly feelings, which are
fully reclprocated by Germany. The
suggestion corresponds also to the
German wishes that the naval war
should be waged according to rules
which, without subJecting one or the
other belligerent powers TO one sided
restrictions OF methods Of warfare,
would take into consideration the in
tcrcsts Of neutrals as well as the laws
OF humanity
I'm this sense the German note of
February l6 already has pointed out
that the observance Of the London
declaration by Germany's enemies
would create a new situation from
which Germany would gladly be pre-
pared To- draw conclusions
starting from this conception, the
German government has submitted
the American suggestion TO attentive
examination and believes that It can
recognize therein an effectively suit
able basis for a practical solution Of
the questions at issue"
On particular suggestions contained
in the American note the following re-
marks are made,
Germany would be prepared to
make the suggested declaration con-
cerning the unemployment of drift
ing mines and the construction Of
anchored mines and. further agrees
with the suggestion to attach a gov.
eminent mark to any mines which
may be laid
"On the other hand, II appears to
Germany not TO be practicable for the
belligerent powers fully to renounce
the employment OF anchored mines
for offensive purposes.
Protect Merchantmen.
Second, German submarines would
employ force against mercantile yes
sells Of whatsoever flag only insofar
carrying out the right to hold up and
search. II the hostile nationality Of
a ship or the presence Cf -contraband
were proved, the submarines would
proceed according to the general in
ternational rules.
Third, as the American note pro-
Vides for the above mentioned reStric-
ton In the employment of submarines,
it follows that enemy mercantile YES
sells should abstain from the use of
neutral flags and other neutral signs
In this connection il Is obvious that
hostile mercantile vessels should not
be armed and should refrain from of
fering violent resistance, since such
conduct, which is opposed to interna-
tiOnal law, renders il impossible for
submarines TO proceed In accordance
with the international law.
Fourth, the regulation of the legit-
innate importation OF food supplies to
Germany, as suggested by the Amer.
lean government appears In general
would, of course, be restricted to i'm
portation by sea, but on the other
hand 1t would also include indirect
importation Via neutral ports.
Supplies for Civilians.
Germany would therefore be pre-
pared TO make declarations such as
are provided for in the American note,
so that the employment of imported
food supplies would be guaranteed to
be exclusively for the peaceful civil
population.
an this connection. Germany must,
however. emphasize that the importa-
tiOn also of other raw materials for
peaceful economic purposes and in
cludng fodder. should be made posi-
BILE. For this purpose the hostile gov
ernments would have to allow free
passage to Germany of raw materials
mentioned in the free list of the Lon
don declaration and to treat in the
same manner as foOdstuffs those ma
terials contained in the list of condi-
tional contraband."
The note concludes as follows:
THE German government hopes
that the understanding suggested by
the American government will be rea-
ll2ed and thereby peaceful neutral
shipping and peaceful neutral COM
merce will not have more to suffer
than is absolutely necessary from the
effects OF the naval warfare.
Await England's Action.
"Such effects moreover would he
substantially diminished If, as already
pointed out i'm our note Of February
1G, means and ways could be found
to exclude the importation Of war
materials from neutral to belligerent
states on ships Of whatsoever flag.
"The adoption of definite attitude
must, Of course, be postponed until
the German government, on the basis
Of further communication from the
Ion
to see what obligations the British
government, on its side is prepared to
assume"
TURKISH MINISTER Is WOUNDED