Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-16
GERMANY MAKES
ANSWER TO NOTE
OFFERS IMMUNITY FOR PAssEN.
GER VESSELS ENGAGED IN
LEGITIMATE TRADE.
The Same Policy viii be Extended TO
q Reasonable Number Of Neutral
Passenger Ships Under the
American Flag.

Berlin-The reply OF the imperial
government to the American note re-
garding the sinking of the Lusitania,
was delivered to Ambassador James
w. Gerard ON July 9.
The text of the note follows:
Berlin, July 8.
1.-THE undersigned has the honor to
make the following reply to his ex-
cellency, Ambassador Gerard, to the
note of the 10th ultimo re the impair
ment of American interests by the
German submarine war. The imperiaR
government learned with satisfaction
from the note how earnestly the gov
eminent of the United States is con-
cerned in seeing the principles OF hui
manity realized in the present war.
Also this appeal finds ready echo in
Germany, and the imperial govern
ment is quite willing to permit its
statements and decision in the pres
ciples of humanity just as it has done
always.
Recalls Past Agreements.
1.-THE imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
government in the note of May Is it.
self recalled that Germany had al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles OF progress and hui
mainly 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 8,
1855, between Prussia and the repub-
lie of the west, German and Amer
lean statesmen have, in fact, always
stood together in the struggle for the
freedom of the seas and for the pro-
lection of peaceable, trade. In the
International proceedings which since
have been conducted for the regula-
ton of the laws of maritime war, Ger
many and America have jointly advo-
Gated progressive principles, especial
ly the adjustment Of the right of
capture at sea and the protection of
he interests of neutrals.
Mindful of Neutral interests.
even at the beginning of the pres
emit war the German government inn
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
provided therein IN favor of neutrals
Germany likewise has been always te-
nacious of the principle that war
should be conducted against the
armed and organized forces OF an en-
envy country, but that the enemy ci
william population must be spared as
far as 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 a manner
guaranteeing the freedom of the seas
and will welcome it with gratitude
and satisfaction if it can work hant
in hand with the American govern
ment on that occasion.
Paralyze German Traffic.
'If in the present war the principles
which should be the ideal Of the fu
ture have been traversed more ant
more, the longer its duration, the Ger
man government has no guilt therein
1t is known to the American govern
Inent how Germany's adversaries, b!
completely paralyzing peaceful traffic
between Germany and neutral coun
tries, have aimed from the very be
ginning and with increasing lack o
consideration, at the destruction, no
80 much of the armed forces, as thu
life Of the German nation, repudiat
ing in doing so all the rules of inter
national law and disregarding all tn
rights of neutra1s.
ION November 8, 1914, England dc
clared the North sea a war area an
by planting poorly anchored mine
/ hrr 10 50
vessels made passage extremely daI
/ gerous and difficult for neutral shiT
ing, so (by) that actually blockadin
neutral coasts and ports contrary t
all international law. Long before tn
beginning of submarine warfare Emf
land practically completely intercept
ed legitimate neutral navigation t
Germany also. Thus Germany wa
driven to submarine war on trade.
Submarine War Forced.
ION November IA, 1914, the Englis
premier declared in the house of con
mons that 1t was one of England
principal tasks to prevent food for tn
German population from reaching &c
many via neutral ports. Since Marc
l England has been taking from neV
trail ships without further formalit
all merchandise proceeding to &c
many, as we'll as all merchandise cor
ing from Germany, even when neutr'
property. Just as 1t was also wit
the Beers. the German people Ia NO
to be given the choice. Of perishin
from starvation with its women an
children or of relinuuishing its ind
pendence.
while our enemies thus loudly an
openly proclaimed war without merC
until our utter destruction. we wei