Omaha daily bee., 1915-07-11
GERMANY SUBMITS
PROPOSALS TO U. S.
Berlin Promises Safe Passage to
American Passenger Ships, with
Restrictions.
MUST NOT CARRY CoNTRABAND


marine warfare is as follows:
BERLIN July s.-The under
signed has the honor to make the fol-
lowing reply to his excellency, Am
bassador Gerard, to the note Of the
10th uitimo, re the impairment Of
American interests by the German
submarine war. The imperial Ger
man government learned with salts
faction from the note how earnestly
the government OF the United States
is concerned in seeing the principles
of humanity realized in the present
war. Also this appeal finds ready
echo In Germany and the imperial
government is quite willing to per-
NIT its statements and decisions in the
present case to be governed by the
principle OF humanity, Just as IL has
done always.
Have stood Together.
1.-THE imperial German government
welcomed with gratitude when the
American. government, in the note OF
May 10, itself recalled that Germany
had always permitted itself to be
governed by the principles Of prog
ress and humanity in dealing with
the law of maritime war. Since the
time when Frederick the Great
negotiated with John Adams, Ben
iamin Franklin and Thomas Jeffer-
son the treaty of friendship and COM
merce of September ., 1875, between
Prussia and the republic of the west,
German and American statesmen
have in fact always stood together in
the struggle for freedom of the seas
and for the protection Of peaceable
trade.
In the international proceedings that
have been Eince conducted for the reg
ulation OF the laws Of maritime war
fare, Germany and America have Jointly
advocated progressive principles, espe-
cially as applied 10 captures at sea and
protection OF the interest OF neutrals,
Even at the beginning OF the present
war the German government declared Its
willingness to ratify the declaration OF
London and thereby subject itself to the
use of its naval forces TO all tho reatrfc-
tions provided therein in favor OF neu-
trails. Germany likewise has been always
tenacious OF the principle that war
should be conducted against the armed
and organized forces OF an enemy coun-
try, but that the enemy civilians popula-
ton must be spared as far as possible
from the measures of war. The i'm
periel government cherishes the definite
hope that some way will be found when
peace Is concluded or perhaps earlier. to
regulate the law Of maritime war In n
manner guaranteeing the freedom of the
seas, and win welcome IL with gratitude
and satisfaction IL II can work hand-in-
hand with the American government on
that occasion.
Germany Not Guilty.
In the present war the principles which
should be the ideal OF the future have
been traversed more and more, the
longer its duration. the German govern
ment has no guilt therein. IL Is known
to the American government how Ger
many's adxsrsaries, by completely paraly-
xlng peaceable traffic between Germany
and neutral countries, have aimed from
the very beginning and with increasing
lack OF consideration at the destruction.
not so much OF the armed forces as the
life Of the German nation. repudiatinE
IN doing 30 all the rules OF tnterna-
tionai law and disregarding all the rights
OF neutrals
On November q. 1914 England de-
ciared the North Sea war area and by
planting poorly anchored mines and the
stoppage and capture OF vessels made
passing extremely dangerous and diff
cult for neutral shipping. 20 that by
actually blockading neutral coasts and
ports. contrary TO all international law.
long before the beginning OF submarine
warfare. England practically completely
intercepted legitimate neutral naviga-
ton 10 Germany also. Thus Germany
was driven TO q submarine war on trade.
''on November Il. 1914 the English
premier declared In the House OF Com
mons that 81 was one OF England's prin-
cipal tasks TO prevent food for the Ger
man population from reaching Germany
by way OF neutral ports. Since March
England has been taking from neutral
ships without further formaiity all mer-
chandise coming from Germany, even
when neutral property Just as It was
also with the Beers. the German people
are now to be given the choice OF per-
ishing from starvation with its women
and children or OF relinquishing its In
dependence
War of self-Defsass.
while our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction. we were con-
Quoting war In self-defense for our ma
tionai existence and for the sake OF
peace OF an assured permanency. We
haze been Obliged 10 adopt a submarine
warfare 20 meet the declared intentions
o. our enenlies and the method Of war
fare adopted BY them in contrayentlon Of
international law
with Al its efforts IN principle 70
protect neutral life and property from
damage a. much as possible. the German
government recognized unreservedly IN
rs memorandum OF February that the
interests Of neutrnis might suffer from
the submarine warfare. However, the
American government will also under
stand and appreciate that IN the fight
for existence. which has been forced
upon Germany by it, adversaries ana
announced BY them. II Is the sacred duty
of the imperial government 10 do All
within It's power 70 protect and save the
lives Of German subjects II the imperial