Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-03-05

terests Of neutrals as well as the laws
of humanity.
I'm this sense the German note OF
February 16, already has pointed out
that the observance Of the London
declaration by Germany's enemies
would create a new situation from
which Germany gladly would be pre-
pared to draw conclusions"
On particular suggestions Of the
American note, the following remarks
are made:
Germany would be prepared to
make the suggested declaration con-
corning the unemployment Of drift
ing mines and further agrees with
the suggestion to attach a government,
mark to any mines which may be laid
On the other hand, 1t appears to Ger
many not to be practicable for the
b~elligerent powers fully to renounce
employment of anchored mines for Of
fensive purposes.
Second, German submarines would
employ force against mercantile yes.
sells Of whatsoever flag only in 80 fai
as 1t is required for the purpose OF
carrying out the right to hold up and
search. II the hostile nationality OF
a ship or the presence Of c~ontraband
were proved to the, submarines would
proceed according to the general in
ternational rules.
Third, as the American note pro
vides for the above mentioned restric-
ton in the employment Of submarines
If follows that enemy mercantile yes.
sells should abstain from the use OF
neutral flags and other neutral signs
In this connection 1t Is obvious thai
hostile mercantile vessels should moi
be armed and should refrain from Of
fering resistance since such conduct
which Is opposed to international law
renders it impossible for submarines
to proceed in accordance with inter
national law.
Fourth, the regulation Of the le'
ultimate importation Of food supplies
to Germany, as suggested by the
American government, appears in gen.
eral to be acceptable. This regula.
ton, Of course, would be restricted tc
importation by sea; but on the Other
hand, 1t also would include indirect
importation via neutral ports.
Germany would, therefore, be pre-.
pared to make declarations such al
are provided for in the American note
so that the employment Of imported
food supplies would be guaranteed tt
be exclusively for the peaceful civi
population.
IN this connection, Germany, how
ever, must emphasize that the impor'
tation also Of other raw materials fol
peaceful economic purposes and in
Guiding fodder, should be made pos
sible. For this purpose the hostile
governments would have to allow fret
passage to Germany Of raw materiali
mentioned in the free list Of the Lon
don declaration and to treat in thu
same manner as foodstuffs those ma
terials contained in the list Of condi'
tional contraband."
The note concludes:
1.-The German government hopes
that the understanding suggested b!
the American government will, re-
gard being paid to the foregoing re
marks, be realized and that thereb!
peaceful neutral shipping and peace
full neutral commerce will not hav'
more to suffer than Is absolutely nee
essary from the effects Of the nava
warfare.
Such effects, moreover, would b.
substantially diminished If, as al
ready pointed out in our note of Feb
ruary 16, means and ways could b
found to exclude the importation o.
war material from neutral to bellig
erent states on ships Of whatsoevel
flag.
1.-The adoption of a definite attitude
Of course, must be postponed until thu
German government on the basis o.
further communication from tn
American government, is in a position
to see what obligations the British
government on its side, is prepared t.
assume"