The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-31
GERMAN FOREIGN SECRE-
TARY GIVES INTERVIEW
TO ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Wants to Establish Basis Of Fact
Before Discussing The I'm
pOrtant Issue Involved.

BERLIN. May 30. via. London. May
'3l. 3:3o a m.-Gottlieb Won JaeoW.
'the imperial German foreign secretary
today received the correspondent of
The Associated Press and outlined the
reasons which impelled the German
government 10 send an ad interim note
TO the United States government. in
stead OF a final and definite reply TO
the American representations regard
ing the Lusi'ania and other ships tha;
nave been torpedoed, and Germany's
submarine policy.
The issues involved" said Herr
Won Jagow. ARE OF such importance.
and the views I'm regard 10 the Lusi.
ania show snch variance. that the
German government bskeOso n essen.
tlal 10 attempt TO establish a common
basis OF fact before entering into a
discussion OF the issues involved.
We hope and trust that the Ameri-
can government will take the same
view OF the case and let us know in
what points their understanding Of the
facts differ from the German viewpoint
as set forth in the note and in what
points they agree. before looking for
direct answer TO their communica-
tion.
The American note. Of course
leaves the way open for preliminary
discussion Of the situation as sug-
gested IN the German note / hope
that such common basis OF fact. once
established, may serve as the ground
work for further conversations"
The minister was unwilling To give
more definite outline to. or TO com
ment on tho suggestion that an ar
rangement might be reached on a basis
of an inspection and certihcation by
the American government Of passen-
ger ships not carrying war cargoes.
pointing out that he did not feel en-
Titled 20 anticipate. a. the other de-
partments Of the government must be
heard before suggestions could be- de-
hnitely taken up or discussed
Garry No contrsband.
Dr. Won JaEow expressed pleasure
az the newspaper announcement that
American line steamers were moi car
rying cOntraband but ne suggested
The advisability Of supplementing such
newspaper statements by more denn-
ito authoritative announcements
Replying 10 question. Dr. won ia
gov said that Germany from tho out.
set had been willing 10 abandon her
submarine war against merchantmen
in response 10 a return b. Great Bri-
tain TO the regulations of war REGARD.
ing cOntraband generally accepted be-
fore tho war the specific condition be.
ing the lifting Of tho embargo on food.
stuifs and raw materials now on tho
list ~ conditional contraband. % was
not Germany fault but Great Bri.
tain's ho said that the well meant pro
posals Of the United States Tor a com.
promise failed
"Tho question of foodetuns and raw
materials. Dr Won Jsg0w said. "is not
question ~ necessity for Germany.
but one Of principle Germany has
shown. 7 think. that Dc cannot b.
starved out by Great BritaIus' rmbar.
go ON f0odsfufs We may Do UffIt
short Of some or another particular
food product but we have enough fo
live ON and Keep up the struggle
Ih" same DEL true of raw materials.
with which. arCUrdinE fo the London
Declaration. b'ilIsrronfa have no rirhf
fo Interfere when they are not specific.
Hlly destined Tor tho armed forces of
on enemy. Germany ia able fo grf
al0ns. oven DO ths imports of such ma.
tcr.sla arc cUt of Germany. however.
objects to the cool assumption OF tho
British cabinet that when it is unable
fo defeat tho German armies Irrif.
mafely on the battlefield. DO is entitled
20 cry f1 force tho nation fo Its knees
by economic pressure. dIsrcRardinr aIf
accepted precepts and regulations OF
war
Fight Unjust Method
Tho analogy % the besieEed fo-f.
ross does not apply 20 Germany The
resident who settles in fortress does
20 coEnizant of tho risk and aware that
he can leave before the siege heEIns
but there ie no precedent for the sieeo