New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-10

Berlin. July S.-The undersigned has the honor to
make the following reply to His Excelency Ambassador
Gerard to the note of the 10th uino the impairment
of American interests by the German submarine The
Imperial Government learned with satisfaction from the note
how earnestly the Government of the United States
cerned in seeing the principles of humanity realized in the
present Also this appeal finds ready echo in Germany
and the Imperial Government quite willing to permit its
statements and decisions the present to be governed
by the principles of humanity just it has done always
The Imperial Government welcomed with gratitude
when the American 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
dealing with the law of maritime Since the time when
Frederick the Great negotiated with John Adams, Benjamin
Franklin and Thomas Jefferson the treaty of friendship and
of September g. 1875, between Prussia and the
Republic of the West German and American statesmen
have fact always stood together the struggle for the
freedom of the and for the protection of peaceabe
trade In the international proceedings which since have
been conducted for the regulation of the laws of maritime
war Germany and America have jointly advocated pro-
gresve principles, especially the abohmen of the right
of capture and the protection Of the interests of
neutras.
Even at the beginning of the present the German
Government Immediately declared its willingness,
ponse to proposals of the American Government to raty
the Declaration of London and thereby subject itself the
in favor of neutraS Germany likewise has been always
tenacious of the principle that should be conducted
against the armed organized forces of enemy
ry but that the enemy civilian population must be spared
as far possible from the OF war he Imperial
Government chershes the definite hope that will
be found when peace concluded perhaps earlier to
regulate the law of maritime guaranteeing
the freedom of the SEAS and will welcome it with gratitude
and satisfaction work hand in hand with the AmerI-
can Government that occasion.
If in the present the principles which should be the
ideal of have been raversed and more the
longer its DURATION the German Government has guilt
therein Il is known the American Govcrnn. 1t how
Germanys adversares by completely parayzng peaceabe
traffic between Germany and neutral countries, have aimed
from the very beginning and with increasing lack or con-
sderaton the destruction, not much of the armed
forces as the life of the German nation, repudang doing
so all the rules of international law and disregardng all
rights of neurals.
On November g. 1914 England declared the North
Sea and by planting poorly anchored mines and
by the soppage and capture of vessels made passage ex-
tremey dangerous and difficult for neutral shipping SO
actually bockadg neutral and ports contrary to all
international law Long before the beginning OF submarine
war England practically completely intercepted legitimate
neutral navigation to Germany also Thus Germany
driven to a submarine on trade.
On November H. 1914, the English Premier declared
:, the House of Commons that it OF Engand's
tasks prevent food for the German population
from reaching Germany via neutral ports Since March
England has been taking from neutral ships without further
formaliy all merchandise proceeding to Germany as well
q. all merchandise coming from Germany when neutral
nronertv Just as was also with the Boers the German
people is now to be given the choice of perishng from
starvation with its women and children of renqushng
its independence.
While our enemies thus loudly and openly proclaimed
war without mercy until utter destruction were con-
ducting in sefdefence for our national existence ana
for the sake peace of assured We have
been obliged adopt submarine warfare to meet the de-
clared intentions enemies and the method OF warfare
adopted by them in contravention of international law
With all its efforts in principle to protect neutral life
and property from damage much possible the German
Government recognized unreervedy its memorandum OF
February that the interests of neurals might suffer rom
the submarine warfare However, the American Eovern-
ment will also understand and appreciate that IN the hsht
for existence which has been forced Germany oy us
adversaries and announced by them the sacred duty OF
the n,peria Government to do all within Its power 10 pro-
ect and save the lives of German subjects 1t the Imperial
Government were derect in these its duties, 1t wou'd DC