The Ely miner., 1915-07-16


Berlin. via London.-The text of the
German note follows:
"Berlin.--The undersigned has the
honor TO make the fol low IN
reply to his eXcellency,- Ambassador
Gerard, TO the note of the 10th ultimo,
re the impairment of American inter
eSts hy the German submarine war
The imperial government learned with
satisfaction from the note how earn
estly the government of the United
States is concerned in seeing the prin-
ciples of humanity realized in the
present war. Also this appeal finds
ready echo in Germany and the i'm
perial government is quite willing to
permit its statements and decisions in
the present case to be governed by
the principles of humanity just as it
has done always.
Recalls Principles of Humanity.
The imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
government. in the note of May l5,
itself recalled that Germany had al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and hu-
manity 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 g.
1855, between Prussia and the republic
of the west, German and American
statesmen have, in fact, always stood
together in the struggle for the free
dom of the seas and for the protec-
ton of peaceable trade In the inter-
national proceedings which since have
been conducted for the regulation of
the laws of maritime war. Germany
and America have jointly advocated
progressive principles, especially the
abolishment of the right 10 capture at
sea and the protection Of the interests
of neutrals.
Would Spare Enemy Civilians.
Even at the beginning of the pres
ent war, the German government i'm
mediately declared it's willingness, in
response to proposals Of the American
government, to ratify the Declaration
of London and thereby subject itself
in the use OF its naval forces to all the
rest, provided therein in favor
of neutrals. Germany likewise has been
always tenacious of the principle that
war should be conducted against the
armed and organized forces of an en-
emy country, but that the enemy civil
ian population must be spared as far
as possible from the measures of war
The imperial 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 manner guarantee
ing the freedom of the seas, and will
welcome it with gratitude and salts
faction if it can work hand in hand
with the American government on
that occasion.
Germany DiscIaims Guilt.
IF in the present war the principles
which should be the ideal of the future.
have been traversed more and more,
government has no guilt therein. 1t
is known to the American government
how Germany's adversaries. by COM
pietely paralyzing peaceful traffic be-
tween Germany and neutral countries,
have aimed from the very beginning
and with increasing lack of considera-
ton at its destruction, not so much
OF the armed forces as the life of the
German nation, repudiating in doing
so all the rules of international law
and disregarding the rights of neutrals.
Puts Blame On England.
ON November ;, 1914, England de-
clared the North sea war area and
by planting poorly anchored mines and
by the stoppage and capture of vessels
made passage extremely dangerous
and difficult for neutral shipping, SO
as to actually blockade neutral
coasts and ports contrary to all in
ternational law. Long before the be-
ginning of submarine war, England
practically completely intercepted
legitimate neutral navigation to Ger
many also. Thus Germany was driven
to submarine war on trade.
Prevents Food Reaching Germany
ION November IA, 1914, the Eng
lish premier declared in the house of
commons that it was one of Englands
principal tasks to prevent food for
the German population from reaching