The Elbert County tribune., 1915-07-16

Berlin, July S.-The undersigned
has the honor to make the following
reply to his excellency. Ambassador
Gerard, to the note of the 10th ultimo,
regarding the impairment OF Ameri
can interests by the German subma-
rine warfare.
THE imperial government learned
with satisfaction 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 gov
ernment is quite willing to permit its
statements and decisions in the pres
snt case to be governed by the princi-
pies of humanity, Just as it has done
always.
THE imperial government vel
coined with gratitude when the
American government in the note of
May 18th itself recalled that Germany
had always permitted itself to be gov
erned 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 JEFF
terson the treaty of friendship and
commerce of September 9, 1888, be-
tween Prussia and the Republic of the
West German and American states
men have, in fact, always stood to-
gether in the struggle for the free
dom of the seas and for the protec-
tion of peaceable trade.
Germany and America Progressive.
In the international proceedings
which since have been conducted for
the regulation of the laws of mari
time war, Germany and America have
Jointly advocated progress. especially
the adjustment of the right of cap
ture at sea and the protection of the
interest of neutrals.
Even at the beginning of the pres
ent war the German government i'm
mediately declared its willingness to
ratify the declaration of London and
thereby subject itself in the use of its
naval forces to all the restrictions pro-
vided 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
enemy country, but that the enemy
country. but that the enemy civilian
possible from the measures OF war.
THE imperial government cher
ishes the definite hope that some way
will be found when peace is conclud-
ed, or perhaps earlier, to regulate the
law of maritime war in manner guar
anteeing the freedom of the seas, and
will welcome it with gratitude and
satisfaction If it can work hand in
hand with American government on
that occasion.
Declare Foes Aim at Destruction.
"If in the present war the prin-
ciples which should be the ideal of
the future have been traversed more
end more, the longer its duration. the
German government has no guilt
therein. 1t is known to the American
government how Germany's adver-
saries, by completely paralyZing peace
able traffic between Germany and
neutral countries, have aimed from
the very beginning and with increas-
ing lack oe consideration at the de-
struction not SO much of the armed
forces as the life of the German ma
ton, repudiating in doing so all the
rules of international law and disre-
garding all the rights of neutrals
"On Nov. 3, 1914, England declared
the North sea a war area and by plant
1Hk pOOTly duCuOTtu HliueS anu Dy Int
stoppage and capture of vessels made
passage extremely dangerous and diff
ficult for neutral shipping, thereby ac-
tually blockading neutral coasts and
ports contrary to all international
law. Long before the beginning of
submarine war England practically
completely intercepted legitimate neu-
trail navigation to Germany also Thus
Germany was driven to a submarine
war on trade.
Would Keep Food From Germany.
"On Nov. IA, 1914, the English pre-
mier declared In the House OF Com
mons that 1t was one of England's
principal tasks to prevent food for the
German population from reaching
Germany via neutral ports. Since
March 1. England has been taking
from neutral ships without further for
mality all merchandise proceeding to
Germany, as well as all merchandise
coming from Germany, even when neu-
trail property Just as it was also
with the Beers, the German people is
now to be given the choice of perish
ing from starvation with its women
and children or of relinquishing its in
dependence.
while our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction, we were
conducting war in self-defense for our
national existence and for the sake of
peace of an assured permanency. We
have been obliged to adopt subma-
rine warfare to meet the declared in
tentions of our enemies and the
method of warfare adopted by them in
contrnvention of international law.
with all its efforts in principle to
protect neutral life and property from
damage as much as possible. the Ger
man goveenment recognizes unreserv-