The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1915-02-27
BRITAIN REJECTS PROTEST OF U. S;
BERL|KS REPLY FIRM BUT FRIENDLY
Reply to U. 5. Protest Says
Blockade Is Necessary.
USED AS sELF-DEFENsE
Commanders Of Submarines Told 70
Use Vigilance to Spare American
vessels-WarshIps Urged to Ac-
company Ships In War Zone.

n
Berlin, Germany (via London), Feb
20.-The reply of Germany to the pro
test OF the United States against q
blockade OF British waters Is couched
In the most friendly terms, but firmly
maintains the position Of Germany
as already announced. The answer
which Is a long document, was con.
verted into code at the United States
embassy under the direction Of Am
bassador Gerard and on Thursday was
transmitted in full to Washington.
The note explains that Germany's
proposed action is rendered necessary
by Great Britain's policy Of attempt.
ing to cut of the food supply for the
German civil population by method
never recognized in international law.
England's course In ordering mer-
chantmen to fly neutral flags and
equipping them with artillery, with or
ders to destroy submarines, the Ger
man reply contends. renders nugatory
the right of search.
Germany holds that she cannot
abandon that right under the stress
which England has put upon her.
Since Germany must compel the
nations with which she Is at war to
return to the recognized principles of
international law and restore the free
dom of the seas. she argues that the
stand she has taken Is necessary.
The note recommends that the
United States government send war
ships to England to convoy merchant
vessel through the danger zone. with
the understanding that vessels thus
guarded shall carry no war supplies.
Hope Is expressed that the Ameri-
can government will understand the
position in which Germany has been
placed and appreciate the reasons for
its course.
The reply closes with an expression
OF the hope that the United States
may prevail on Great Britain to re-
turn to the principles OF international
law recognized prior to the outbreak
OF the war" and in particular obtain
the observance of the declaration of
London by belligerents opposed to
Germany. II this Is done, the note
explains, Germany would be enabled
to import food supplies and raw ma
terials. Germany would recognize
this, says the reply, an invaluable
service toward more humane con-
duct Of the war and would act In ac-
cordance with the new situation thus
created.
Great Britain is. with the federation
OF neutral governments, not only sup
piled with such goods as are not
contraband. but with goods which are
regarded by Great Britain. II sent to
Germany, as absolute contraband.
The German government feels itself
obliged to point out with the greatest
emphasis that traffic in arms, esti-
mated at many hundreds Of millions,
Is being carried on between United
States firms and Germany's enemies.
II It Is a formal right Of neutrals to
take no steps to protect their legiti-
mate trade with Germany, and even
to allow themselves to be Influenced
in the direction of the conscious and
willful destruction of their trade. on
the other hand they have the perfect
right. which they unfortunately do not
exercise. to cease contraband trade,
In arms. with Germany's
Germany is ready to deliberate with
the United States concerning any
which might secure the
safety Of legitimate shipping OF neu-
trails in the war zone.