Albuquerque morning journal., 1915-02-17
GERMAN ADMIRAL
EXPLAINS POLICY

Berlin Feb. l6 (by wireless TO
Sayville, n. YD-Admiral Behncke
OF the marine department. has made a
statement to Lieutenant Commander
Walter r. Gherardi. naval attache of
the American embassy at Berlin.
which is given out officially as the
best exposition Of the situation with
respect TO Germanys declaration Of
the waters around the British isles
as war zone. Admiral Behncke's
statement follows
AT the present time Germany in
the war at sea has followed the Lon
don declaration or the stipulations OF
the Paris trcaty,~on which the con-
duct OF the war on the sea had been
based before the London declaration.
In waging this commercial war
fare, England had in view the sub
jugation of Germany by starvation.
Germany had in every way sought to
bring the attention Of the central
powers and al others 10 the neces-
sity she was under to obtain food for
her civilian population, which was her
right under the laws of war No re-
suits could be obtained from her ef-
forts.
Since the shutting of Of food sup
plies had come To a point where Ger
many had no longer sufficient food
10 Feed her people, II became neces-
sary for her 10 bring England to
terms by the exercise Of force. Ger
many knows that by the use of the
submarine England can be placed in
"a position where food viii be lacking
She has the submarine force with
which to do tt, her life as nation
and the lives Of her people depend
upon putting this campaign into ac-
ton and she must do so.
The difficulties lying IN the way
of this campaign have been largely
connected with the care which It is
desired TO give to neutral ships and
to the lives Of those on board all com !.
mercial ships whether neutral or be- |
longing TO the enemy.
First, in arming her merchant /
ships with guns for self-proteetion, I
England adopted a policy against I
which Germans strongly protested I
The United States took the British 4
point OF view. II Is not possible for I
submarines To- approach British mer- 1
chant ships and make examinations \
without exposing themselves to gun Il
Tire or homh attack, against which H
a submarine boat will be helpless.
Second. England has advised her
merchant fleet to- fly neutral flags, To
cover up names and change stacks. Go 1
escape the consequences OF their ma
.ionality This plan was designed TO
bring Germany into conflict with |
other nations.
Germany does not wish in the |
slightest degree to harm American or
ither neutral ships or their cargoes. |
unless carrying contraband of war. |
she Is, however, in a position whore |
ler life depends upon her putting |
nto effect the only means she has Of |
MVing herself. She must and will use |
his means
Commanding officers Of subma-
'ine boats have been given orders TO
make every effort to safeguard neu- (
rats. IN spite az the precautions / |
which submarines could take-with- II
'ut danger Of being destroyed them II
eives-the possibility was noted that ( |
leutfal ships might through error or !
ecident be destroyed. For this reas- /
N q strong warning was issued. II
Ia addition, the English eoast has L
ieen mined By the British themselves ( |
or protective ressGas and would h.. :
mined by the Germans as an act of
offensive warfare. Ships were there
ore IN danger from mines.
IN spite of the great effect the adj II
niraity staff feel the use Of the sub
marines Will have in hrnging the war Il
@ a rapid close, the admiralty does
'ot wish 10 put it into effect 10 the
Ietriment of the neutrals and tho Il
lshts of nations on the high seas
'heN have therefore stated that il 4
treat Britain viii abide by the dee
afation Of London. without modiflca- II
ION or by the treaty OF Paris whereby
ood supplies necessary for the civil
equation can be freely brought into |
iermany the whole matter OF subma.
me blockade viii be dropped by i
iermany
This proposal has been submitted /
trough diplomatic channels II ae-
epted, the matter will be no longer
ne provocative OF trouble between
ae United States and Germany,
Admiral Behncke called Comman-
er Sherardi's attention to the fact
sat Great Britain when. by her proc
nation. she closed the North sea.
a not give free passage to American /
llps hound for the neutral country
Holland, but compelled the ships
BASS through certain channels. |
ke an English pilot aboard and
ndergo search for contrahand af /
ar at the hands OF officers Of Brit II
n warships II
Admiral Behneke then said that =