The Irish standard., 1915-02-27
TEXT OF GERMAN NOTE
TO THE UNITED STATES
(Continued from PAGE ~

selves bear the responsibility for any
unfortunate accidents that may occur.
Germany disclaims all responsibility
for such accidents and their conse-
quences.
Il Misunderstanding Alleged.
Germany has further expressly an
nounced the destruction of all enemy
merchant vessels found within the war
zone, but not the destruction of all
merchant vessels, as the United States
seems enormously to have understood.
This restriction, which Germany i'm
poses upon itself is prejudicial to the
aim of our warfare, especially as in the
application of the conception of con-
traband practiced by Great Britain
towards Germany-which conception
will now also be similarly interpreted
by Germany-the presumption will be
that neutral ships have contraband
aboard. Germany, naturally, is unwill-
ing to renounce it's rights to ascertain
the presence of contraband in neutral
vessels and in certain cases to draw
conclusions therefrom.
Open to Negotiations.
Germany is ready finally to deliber-
ate with the United States concerning
any measures which might secure the
safety of legitimate shipping of neu-
trails in the war zone. Germany cannot
however, forbear to point out that all
its efforts in this direction may be rem
dered very difficult by two circum-
stances; first, the misuse of neutral
flags by British merchant vessels,
which is Individually known to the
United States; second, the contraband
and trade already mentioned, espe-
cially in war materials, on neutral YES
sells.
Situation Explained.
Regarding the latter point Germany
would fain hope that the United States
after further consideration will come
to conclusion corresponding to the
spirit of the real neutrality regarding
the first point. The secret order Of
the British Admiralty, recommending
to British merchant ships the use of
neutral flags, has been communicated
by Germany to the United States and
confirmed by communication with the
British Foreign Office, which designates
this procedure as entirely unobjection-
able and in accordance with British
law. British merchant shipping imme
diately followed this advice, as doubt
less is known to the American Govern
ment from the incidents of the Lusi-
tania and Laertes.
Moreover, the British Government
has supplied arms to British merchant
ships and instructed them forcibly to
resist German submarines. In these
circumstances, 1t would be very diff
cult for submarines to recognize neu.
trail merchant ships, for search in most
cases cannot be undertaken, seeing
that in the case of disguised British
ship from which an attack may be ex
pected, the searching party and the
submarine would be exposed to de
struction.
Great Britain then was in posi-
tion to make the German measures IL
lusory If the British merchant fleet
persisted in the misuse of neutral flags
and neutral ships could not otherwise
be recognized beyond doubt. Germany
however, being in state of necessity
wherein she was placed by violation
of the law, must render effective her
measures in all circumstances, in order
thereby to compel her adversary to
adopt methods of warfare correspond.
ing with international and so restore
the freedom of the seas of which Ger.
many at all times is the defender and
for which she today is fighting.
Protest to Britain Lauded.
Germany therefore rejoices that
the United States has made representa-
tons to Great Britain concerning the
illegal use of their flag and expresses
the expectation that this procedure
will force Great Britain to respect the
American flag in the future. In this
expectation, commanders of German
submarines have been instructed, as al
ready mentioned in the note of Feb 4
to refrain from violent action against
American merchant vessels so far as
these can be recognized.
In order to prevent in the surest
manner the consequences of confusion
though naturally not so far as mines
are concerned-Germany recommends
that the United States make their
ships which are conveying peaceful
cargoes through the British war zone
discernible by means of conveys.
Germany believes it may act on
the superstition that only such ships
would be conveyed as carried goods
not regarded as contraband according
to the British Interpretation made in
the case of Germany.
How this method of convoy can be
carried out is question concerning
i which Germany is ready to open nego.
tiations with the United States as
& soon as possible. Germany would be
particularly grateful, however, if the
IL Tinted CtatoS would ,rpontlv rocon,.