Middletown transcript., 1915-02-27
GERMAN REPLY TO
UNITED STATES
Is a Firm ReiteratiOn Of the
Retaliation Plan.
sELF-DEFENSE MEASURE
Points Out With Great Emphasis Big
Traffic In Arms Between This coun-
try and AIlies-Papers Character
lze Reply AZ Satisfactory.

Berlin, via Amsterdam.-The text Of
the German reply to the United States
protest against the submarine block
ade was made public, and it is, as ex-
pected, firm reiteration Of the Ger
man claim that her action is a legiti-
mate retaliation against English
methods.
In tone the answer is especially
friendly to the United States, but 1t is
carefully set forth that Germany took
the steps she did only after mature
deliberation and because the English
measures are in violation of the ac-
cepted principles of international law"
The German Government is declared
to be "in accord with the United
States that it is in a high degree de-
Sirable to avoid Misunderstanding
which might arise from the measures
announced by the German Admiralty"
Reference is made to the note Of
February 4, which, it is stated. ac-
curately set forth the reasons for the
German action.
Measure OF self-Defense."
This action is in no way a measure
directed against the commerce of neu-
trails" 1t says, but represents solely a
measure Of self-defense imposed on
Germany by her vital interests against
England's methods of warfare"
1t is stated that Germany at all times
has adhered to the valid international
rules Of warfare and agreed at the
very outset of the war to ratify the
principles of the declaration of Lon
don. 1t is pointed out that until today
Germany has permitted the transpor-
tation of provisions from Denmark al
though she has always been in posi-
ton to prevent it.
Germany also subscribes to the note
of the United States to England on
December 20. protesting against Brit
ish interference with American ship
ping. The holding up of the Will
helmina's cargo of foodstuffs is re-
ferred to as a fragrant breach of inter
national law.
Germany is declared to be off from
her overseas supply by the silent or
protesting liberation of neutrals, both
as regards conditions and actual con-
traband of war, while Great Britain is,
with the liberation Of neutral govern
ments, supplied with both"
AZ To Traffic In Arms.
1.-THE German Government" explains
the note, feels itself obliged to point
out with the greatest emphasis that a
traffic in arms, estimated at many hun
dreds Of millions, is being carried on
between American firms and Ger
many's enemies. Germany fully com
prehends that the practice of right and
the toleration of wrong on the part of
the neutrals are matters absolutely at
the discretion Of the neutrals and in
volve no formal violation of neu-
trality."
This, it is declared, is merely pointed
out because Germany feels that her
legitimate commerce rights are severe
| ly prejudiced by the fact that neutrals
"in safeguarding their rights in legiti-
mate commerce with Germany, accord
ing to international law, have up to the
present achieved no, or only in
significant results while they are max
ing unlimited use of their right by
carrying on contrabapd traffic with
Great Britain and our other enemies" :"
Obliged To Take Step.
1t is pointed out that neutrals have
the right, which they should exercise,
of forcing the cessation of contraband
trade, especially in arms, with Ger
many's enemies. The note then con-
cludes:
"In view of this situation, Ger
many, after six months of patient
waiting. sees herself obliged to answer
Great Britain's murderous method of
naval warfare with sharp counter
measures. If Great Britain in her
fight against Germany summons hun
ger as an ally for the purpose of i'm
posing upon a civilized people Of TO-
000, 900 the choice between destitution
and starvation or submission to Great
Britain's commercial WILL then Ger
many today is determined to take up
the gauntlet and appeal to similar
allies"
Satisfactory, Say Papers.
All the German newspapers charac-
terize the German reply as eminently
satisfactory to the nation.
Great interest has been aroused nv