The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-07-23

IN the use OF Its naval forces to all the
restrictions provided therein in favor
of neutrals. Germany likewise has beef
always tenacious of the principle tha
war. should be conducted against the
armed and organized forces of an en-
envy country, but that the enemy civil
ian population must be spared as faI
as possible from the measures of war
The imperial government cherishes
the definite hope that some way will
be found, when peace is concluded, OF
perhaps earlier, to regulate the law OF
maritime war in a manner guarantee
ing the freedom of the seas, and will
welcome it with gratitude and salts
faction if it can work hand in hand
with the American government on
that occasion.
Germany Disclaims Guilt.
IF in the present war the principles
which should be the ideal of the future,
have been traversed more and more,
the longer its duration, the German
| government has no guilt therein. 1t
is known to the American government
| how Germany's adversaries, by COM
| pletely paralyzing peaceful traffic be-
tween Germany and neutral countries,
have aimed from the very beginning
and with increasing lack of considera-
ton at its destruction, not so much
of the armed forces as the life of the
German nation, repudiating in doing
so all the rules of international law
and disregarding the rights of neutrals.
Puts Blame On England.
ION November 8, 1914, England de-
clared the North sea a war area and
by planting poorly anchored mines and
by the stoppage and capture of vessels
made passage extremely dangerous
and difficult for neutral shipping, so
(by?) that actually blockading neutral
coasts and ports contrary to all in
ternational law. Long before the be-
ginning Of submarine war, England
practically completely intercepted
legitimate neutral navigation to Ger
many also. Thus Germany was driven
to submarine war on trade.
Prevents Food Reaching Germany.
ION November IA, 1914, the Eng
fish premier declared in the house of
commons that it YVES one of England's |
principal tasks to prevent food for |
the German population from reaching |
Germany via neutral ports. Since |
March LIST England has been taking |
from neutral ships, without further J
formality, all merchandise proceeding
to Germany as we'll as all merchandise
coming from Germany, even when neu-
trail property. Just as 1t was also with
the Beers, the German people is now
to be given the choice of perishing
from starvation with its women and
children or of relinquishing its indie
pendence.
Calls Submarine Warfare Necessary.
while our enemies thus loudly and
openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction, we were
war in self-defense for
our national existence and for the sake
OF peace Of an assured permanency.
We have been obliged to adopt SUBJ
marine warfare to meet the declared
Intentions of our enemies and the
method OF warfare adopted by them in
Of international law.
Recognizes NeutraIs May Suffer.
With all its efforts In principle to
protect neutral life and property from
1amage as much as possible, the Ger
nan government recognizes unreserv-
sdly In its memorandum of February
that the interests of neutrals might
suffer from the submarine warfare.
However, the American government
will also understand and appreciate
hat in the fight for existence which
las been forced upon Germany by it's ,
Ldversaries and announced by them. !,
is the sacred duty of the imperial ,
government to do all within its power
o protect and save the lives of Ger 6
nan subjects. If the imperial govern !
nent were derelict in these, its duties. !
would be guilty before God and his !;
Dry of the violation of those principles I
I highest humanity which are the
Of every national existence. :
usitana Tragedy EnqIand's Fault? /
THE case OF the Lusitania shows Z
nth horrible clearness to what jeopar- t
izing Of human lives the manner of q
onducting war employed by our ad- c
ersaries leads. In the most direct