The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-10

that American ships engaged in
legitimate trade will not be in
terfered with, nor the lives Of
Americans upon neutral ships be
endangered.
Second-That German subma-
rineS will be instructed to allow
American passenger ships to pass
freely and safely, Germany en-
tertaining in return the confident
hope that the American govern
ment Will see that these ships 40
not carry contra band; such ships
to be provided with distinguishing
marks and their arrival announce
ed a reasonable time in advance.
The same privilege is extended to
a reasonable number of neutral
passenger ships under the Amer
lean flag, and should the number
of ships thus available for passen-
ger service prove inadequate, Ger
many is willing to permit Aneri-
ca to place four hostile passen-
ger steamers under the American
flag to ply between North Amer
lea and Europe under the same
conditions.
The text of the German note fol-
lows:
Berlin, July 8, 1s15-The under
signed has the honor to make the
following reply to his eXcellency, AM
bassador Gerard, to the note of the
10th ultimo, regarding the impair
ment of American interests by the
German submarine war. The inpe-
satisfaction from the note how ear
nestly 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 I'M
peria1 government is quite willing to
permit it's statements and decisions
in the present case to be governed by
the principles of humanity, just as 1t
has done always.
Protection of Neutrals.
"The imperial government well
coined with gratitude when the Amer
lean government in the note of May
Is, itself recalled that Germany had
always permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and
humanity in dealing with the law of
maritime war. Since the time when
Frederick the Great negotiated with
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and
Thomas Jefferson the treaty of friend
ship and commerce of September y,
17S5, between Prussia and the repub-
| lie Of the west, German and Amerl-
| can statesmen have, in fact, always
stood together in the struggle for the
| freedom of the seas and for the pro-
lection of peaceable trade. In the in
ternational proceedings which since
have been conducted for the regula-
ton of the laws of maritime war,
| Germany and America have jointly
advocated progressive principles, espe.
cially the adjustment of the right of
| capture at sea anu the pIOlSCAlOA VI
| the interests of neutralS.
| Would Spare Civilians.
Even at the beginning of the pres
ent war, the German government inn
mediately declared it's Willingness, in
response to proposals or the american
government, to ratify the declaration
| of London and thereby subject itself
| in the use of it's naval forces to all
restrictions provided therein in favor
of neutrals. Germany, likewise, has
| l. ,Irx oir nf a
that war should be conducted against
the armed and organized forces of an
enemy country, but that the enemy
civilian population must be spared, as
| far as possible. from the measures OF
war The imperial government cher
| ishes the definite hope that some way
will be found when peace is concluded
or perhaps earlier, to regulate the law
! of maritime war in a. manner guaran-
| teeing the freedom of the seas ana
will welcome it with gratitude and sat
| isfaction if it can work hand In hand
with the American government on
Germany's Enemies Accused.
| eff in the present war the principles
which should be the ideal of the fu-
| ture have been traversed more ana
more, the longer its duration, the
German government has no guilt
| therein. It is known to the American
government how Germany's adver-
saries by completely paralyZing peace
| able CraI11c between 1eFlndHy anu
neutral countries, have aimed from the
very beginning and with increasing
| lack of consideration at the destruc-
ton, not so much of the armed forces
| as at the life of the German nation.
repudiating in doing so all the rules
| of international law and d1sregard1ng
all the rights of neutrals.
"On November 8, 1914, England de-
/ clared the North sea war area and
by planting poorly anchored mines and
| by the stoppage and capture OF YES
| sells, made passage extremely danger
Gus and difficult for neutral shipping
SO (by) that actually blockading neu-
trail coasts and ports contrary TO al
international law Long before the
beginning of submarine warfare, Eng
| land practically completely intercept
! ed legitimate neutral navigation to
| Germany also. Thus Germany was
driven to a submarine war on trade.
Food Blockade Cited.
son November IA, 1914, the Eng
lish premier declared in the house OF
commons that it was one OF EngIah0
principal tasks to prevent 1000 LOT tlie
German population from reaching
Germany via neutral ports Since
| March i, England has been taxing
| from neutral ships without 1urIneI
| for1nality all merchandise proceeding
10 GERMANY as well as all mercnAh-
disc coming from Germany, even "nen
neutral property. Just as 1t was dISo
HIith the Roers. the German people
is now to be given the choice OF perlsh-
ing from starvation with ITS women
and children or of relinqu1snlng lie
independence. ID
while our enemies thus Loudly anu
openIy proclaimed war without merry
until our utter destructlon' We g.
conducting a war in self-derense Loi
- o+;o1oI existence and for the