The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-20


agent for the German Red Cross was
active In German propaganda In this
country. has written several articles since
his return to Berlin regarding German
American relations. His latest article.
which appeared In a recent Issue Of the
BeritHer Taoeblatf, concerns President
Wilson'S note to England. Americas
attitude toward Great Britain and Ger
many. both az regards shipping and
the Issues arising from submarine war
fare.
The submarine question. he says. had
to be settled fiut because II involved
lives instead Of pecuniary loss. He
counsels Germans to maintain a digni-
ned attitude. as he says hat Americas
controversy with Great Britain In over
. principle for which Germany herself
Ia c~ontending. He also holds that while
America seeks no quarrel she would not
hesitate to act II her national pride
should be wounded by any foreign
Power. A full translation Of DR.. Dern-
burg's article follows:
"The Imperial German Chancellor In
his last declaration urged the freedom
Of the seas Sir Edward Grey has as
serted that a discussion OF this subject
may be possible n fruitful--after tho
war. Both of these statesmen In touch
Ing on this question have more or less
avoided circumscriblns this definition.
president Wilson. too. has In his
various recent notes and speeches pro-
claimed the freedom OF the seas and has
designated II as an ~inalienable right OF
tho United States. He has made II quite
plain just what he wishes TO have under
stood when he speaks OF tho freedom OF
the seas. namely. the enforcement and
maintenance OF the international mari
time law as defined in the Declaration OF
London.
True. This declaration was moi signed
by oil the nations that participated in
Its collaboration. but neither has there
been any objection to II. and It's purpose
was. as Its name says. to stipulate In
declaratory form. under cooperation OF
all nations. what Is In our time legal on
the high seas.
Americas Attitude.
THE United States has come during
the present war into conflict with two
belligerent nations over the application
OF the international maritime law since
autumn OF last year with England.
which undertook manifold notifications
through the issuance OF royal DEGREES
and which otherwise cared little about
the s~tipulations OF maritime law and
with Germany on the occasion OF the
sinking Of the Lus'tania.
The American President refused "a
treat simultaneously the disputes with
! England and Germany. because he
wanted II clearly understood that the
question AT issue In both cases revolved
around the rights OF Americans. rights
which must be treated separately and
without confusion with one another.
Tho President declined 70 accede 10
the suggestion that Germany might yield
in the matter Of submarine warfare II
England. upon American pressure,
agreed to observe international mari
time law. The dispute concerning sub.
marine warfare had to he settled hrst,
and speedily, because that dispute did
not. as did Britain's commercial war
treat with replaceable wares or imam
cini loss hut with the menace to ths
lives of American citizens.
Therefore. the adjustment 81 the
difficulties with England was postponed
until the wise yielding on the part OF
Germany in the Arabic Ease paved the
way for II. Apart from the fact that she
shared the humane objections Of ths
United states. Germany apparently
yielded principally because 81 her real
izatiOn that he who desires the freedom
OF the seas must not on his part con
tribute toward SCATTERING those princi'
pies Of law which hitherto had safe
guarded II. even II impcrfectly. and tina
the United states could not he expected
90 ask England to observe the maritime
laws II II did not at the same time MAKE
the same demand upon Germany And
the submarine war. carried on Win y
new weapon was not In accord with the
application OF the London declaration.
Attitude Toward England.
Now that Germany has met tho
- - .g-.., a ,A f.sA ~
President has addressed a note TO Eng
land and has that " Others
will follow. I do not propose Ia go into
the details Of the note. Suffice 1t to re-
peat that the United states declares a
blockade OF Germany and Austria to be
~non-existent and legally ineffective tina
IL regards as unjustifed the Britisf
practice Of coniscating goods destined
for neutral countries on the mere sus'
piclon that they might ultimately react
the enemy that II regards as uncallet
for the demand that such goods be ad
dressed, instead OF TO the consignee, tC
a specific recipient. / p. to the overseas
trusts under British control that I
will no longer suffer the taking %
American or neutral vessels into British
ports, and finally. that 1t refuses 10 ac
cept the British prize court decisions be
cause they are based not upon the rule
Of the general maritime law but upof
British Government DEGREES.
These are the principal points. An
nounced IL n further note r~efusini
American acquiescencc in the most re
cent British DEGREES under which tn,
nationality Of a vessel In TO be deter
mined not according TO its registry an'
flag but according to the nationality o
the owner or one OF the owners lto wit
the case of the HoCking),
And finally, u third note, perhaps tn
most important Of all. is announced, It
!, which the arbitrary notifications whicI
England has made In the list of condi
tional and unconditional contraband ar
declared as unbinding AS far ~ IN
, United States IL concerned.
with this stand on the part of Amer
lea the entire structure which Grea
Britain has In the past fifteen month
artfully erected. not only TO starve Ger
many into submission but also to throttl
, American trade, cru,uhles to pieces.
"Tho Decla ration Of London had desig
: mated cotton az belonging under any AN
! all circumstances on the free lis
Cereals and foodstuifs were fixed n
conditional ~coutraband only to sue
1 an extent AS they were destined for III
consumption OF the fighting forces G
, for the provisioning OF fortified port
g The burden of proof is given by III
Declaration Of London to that Pow,
A which seizes these goods.
1.-THE American President asserts IN;
he Is speaking In behalf Of the right
. OF all neutrals. and II may be assume
. with certainty that he has not made tn
abatement without previous agrecmei