The Irish standard., 1915-02-27
TEXT Of THE GERMAN :! $?lE ]: 7O UNITED STATES
German Government Sets Forth language
Position of That Government - Commerce
Upon the High Seas-Note has Changed opinion in
this CountryReply to American Note States
manike Effort-The Friendly Makes
A Very Favorable Impression


The text of the German Govern
ment's reply to the American note fol-
lows:
"The Imperial Government has ex-
amined the communication from the
United States Government in the same
spirit of good will and friendship by
which the communication appears to
have been dictated. The Imperial Gov
States Government that for both par
ties it is in high degree desirable to
avoid misunderstanding which might
arise from measures announced by the
German Admiralty and to provide
against the occurrence of incidents
which might trouble the friendly rela-
tions which so far happily exist be-
tween the two governments.
with regard to the assuring of
these friendly relations the German
Government believes that it may ALI
the more reckon on full understand
ing with the United States as the pro-
'cedure announced by the German
Admiralty, which was fully explained
in the note of the 4th inst, is in no
way directed against legitimate COM
merce and legitimate shipping Of neu-
trails, but represents solely a measure
of self-defense imposed on Germany by
her vital interests against England's
method of warfare which is contrary
to International law, and which so far
no protest by neutrals has succeeded in
bringing back to the generally recog-
nized principles of law as existing be-
fore the outbreak of war.
Germany's Stand. Stated.
"In order to exclude all doubts re-
garding these cardinal points, the Ger
man Government once more begs leave
to state how things stand. Until now
Germany has scrupulously observed
valid international rules regarding ma
val warfare. At the very beginning of
the war Germany Immediately agreed
to the proposal of the American Gov
ernment to ratify the new declaration
of London and took over its contents
unaltered and without formal obliga-
tions into her prize law.
"The German Government has obey
ed these rules, even when they were
Numerically opposed to her military
interests. For instance, Germany al
lowed the transportation of provisions
to England from Denmark until today,
though she was we'll able by her sea
forces to prevent it. In contradistinc-
tion to this attitude, England has not
even hesitated at second infringe
ment of international law, if by such
means she could paralyze the peace
full commerce of Germany with neu-
trails. The German Government will be
the less obliged to enter into details
as these are put down sufficiently,
though not exhaustively, in the Ameri-
can note to the British Government
dated Dec. 29, as result of five
months experience.
Cali these encroachments have been
made as has been admitted in order
to cut of all supplies from Germany
and thereby starve her peaceful civil
population-a procedure contrary tc
all humanitarian principles. Neutrals
have been unable to prevent the inter
ruption of their commerce with Ger
many, which is contrary to interna
tional laws.
"The American Government, as Ger
many readily acknowledges, has pro
tested against the British procedure
In spite of these protests and pro
tests from other neutral states, Grea
Britain could not be induced to depar
from the course of action she had dc
cided upon. Thus, for instance, tn
American ship Wilhelmina recentl
was stopped by the British, althoug
her cargo was destined solely for tn
German civil population, and accordin
to the express declaration of the Gel
man Government, was to be employe
only for this purpose.
Cut OFF From Supplies.
Germany is as good as cut off frol
her overseas supply by the silent {
protesting federation of neutrals, NJ
only in regard to such goods as al
absolute contraband, but also in regal
to such as, according to acknowledge
law before the war, are only condition
al contraband or not contraband at al
Great Britain, on the other hand,
with the toleration of neutral Cover
ments, not only supplied with SUE
goods as are not contraband or on
conditional contraband, but with goo,
which are regarded by Great Britai
il sent to Germany, as absolute contr
band namely, provisions, industri
raw materials, etc., and even wi
goods which have always indubitab
been regarded as absolute contraban
"The German Government fet