Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-17
Admiral Behncke, in Off
cial Statement to Ameri-
can Attache, Declares
England Must Be Starv-
ed to Save Fatherland.
Orders Issued to Naval Officers
to Safeguard Neutrals.
Blockade Will Be Dropped
If Britain Consents to Free
Transit of Food Supplies.

BERLIN, Feb. 1T.-Admiral Behncke,
a. the Marine Department, has made a
s,stement to Lieut.. Commander Walter
Cherard, Naval Attache of the Amer
l1an Embassy at Berlin. which Is given
on, officially as the best exposition of
the situation with respect to Germany's s
declaration regarding the waters around
she British Isles as a war zone. Admiral
pehncke's statement follows:
t'fTp to the present time Germany, in
The war at sea, has followed the London
declaration or the stipulations of the
PARIS treaty, on which the conduct of
war on the sea had been based before
the London declaration.
"In waging this commercial warfare,
England has in view the subjugation of
Germany by starvation. Germany had.
In every way, sought to bring the at
tention OF the neutral powers and all
others to the necessity 1t was under to
obtain food for her civilian population,
which was her right under the laws of
war. No results could be obtained from
her efforts.
"since the shutting Off of food sup
plies had come to point where Germany
had no longer sufficient food to feed her
people, 1t became necessary for her to
bring England to terms by the exercise
Of force.
NATIONS LIFE AT STAKE.
Germany knows that by the use of
the submarine England can be placed In
position where food will be lacking.
She has the submarine force with which
to do It; her life as nation and the
lives OF the people depend upon putting
fills on nj
do so.
"The difficulties lying In the way of this
campaign have been largely connected
with the care which 1t is desired to give
to neutral ships, and to the lives of those
on board all commercial ships, whether
neutral or belonging to the enemy.
first, in arming her merchant ships
with guns for self-defense, England
adopted n policy against which Germans
strongly protest. The United States took
the British point of view. 1t is not pos
siSe for submarines to approach British |
merchant ships and make examinations |
without exposing themselves to gunflre |
or bomb attack, against which subma- |
rlne boat would be helpless.
Second, England has advised her
merchant fleet to fly neutral flags, to |
cover up names and change stacks, to
1oSdpc lHt Consequences OIL tnelT nations |
allty. This plan was designed to bring
Germany into conflict with other nations.
Germany does not wish in the slight
est degree to harm American or other
neutral ships, or their cargoes. unless
carrying contraband of war. She Is, how
ever, In a position where her life depends
upon aher putting into effect the only
means she has of saving herself. She
must and will use this means.
SAFEGUARDS FOR NEUTRALs.
Commanding officers OF submarine
boats have been given orders to make
every effort to safeguard neutrals. In
spite Of the precautions which submarines
could take-without the danger of being
destroyed themselves-the possibility was
mated that neutral ships might, through
error or accident, be destroyed For this
reason strong warning was issued.
In addition, the English coast has been
mined by the British themselves for pro-
Lectiye reasons, and would be mined by
the Germans as an act of offensive war
larey Ships therefore were in danger
from mines.
In spite of the great effect the Admir-
atty Stan feels the use of the submarine !
VII have In bringing the war to a rapid
,lose the Admiralty does not wish to
out 1t into effect, to the detriment of
leutral commerce and the rights of ma
ions OF the high seas.
II has therefore stated that II Great
sritain will abide by the Declaration of
london, without n OBLIGATIONS, or by the
treaty OF Paris, W, ereby food supplies
ecessary for the civil population can be
reely brought into Germany, the whole I
natter Of a submarine blockade will be '
ropped by Germany |
rms proposal has been transmitted {
trough diplomatic channels. II accepted.