The Blackfoot optimist., 1915-07-15
GERMANY'S REPLY TO
PRESIDENT WILSON

NANl
Berlin, July 10.-Following il the full
text Of the reply Of the German govern
ment to the second American note on
the sinking Of the Lusitania and sub
marine warfare:
The undersigned has the honor to
make the following reply to his excel
lency, Ambassador Gerard, to the note
Of the 10th ultimo re. the impairment
Of American interests by the German
submarine war. The imperial govern
ment learned with satisfaction from
the note how earnestly tho government
Of the United States is concerned in
seeing the principles Of humanity real
ixed in the present war. Also this ap-
peal finds ready echo In Germany and
the imperial government Is quite will
ing to permit its statements and dscis-
ions In the present case to be governed
by the principles Of humanity, just as It
has done always. 80.
The imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American gov
ernment in the note Of May Is itself
recalled that Germany had always per-
mitted itself to be governed by the
principles Of progress and humanity in
dealing with the law Of maritime war.
Since the time when Frederick the
Great negotiated with John Adams,
Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jeffer-
son the treaty Of friendship and com
merce Of Sept. 9, 1855, between Prus-
sia and the republic Of the west, Cor
man and American statesmen have In
fact always stood together in the
struggle for the freedom Of the seas
and for the protection Of peaceable
trade. In the International proceed
ings which since have been conducted
for the regulation Of laws Of maritime
war Germany and America have joint
ly advocated progressive principles,
especially the abolishment Of the right
Of capture at sea and the protection of
the interests Of neutrals.
The Declaration Of London.
Even at the beginning Of the present
war the German government imme-
diately declared its willingness to rati-
fy the Declaration Of London and
thereby subject itself in the use Of It's
naval forces to all the restrictions pro-
vided therein in favor Of neutrals.
Germany likewise has been always ten
acious Of the principle that war should
be conducted against the armed and
organized forces Of an enemy country,
but the the enemy civilian population
must be spared as far as possible from
the measures Of war. The imperial
government cherishes the definite hope
that some way win be found when
peace is concluded, or perhaps earlier,
to regulate the law Of maritime war
in . manner guaranteeing the freedom
Of the seas and will welcome It with
gratitude and satisfaction If it can
work hand in hand with the American
government on that occasion.
II In the present war the principles
which should be the ideal Of the fu-
ture have been traversed more and
more the longer its duration, the Ger
man government has no guilt therein.
It is known to the American govern
ment how Germans adversaries, by
completely paralyzing peaceful traffic
between Germany and neutral coun-
tries, have aimed from the beginning
and with increasing lack Of considera-
tion at the destruction, not 30 much
Of the armed forces as the Life Of the
German nation, repudiating in doing
50 all the rules Of International law
and disregarding all the rights Of neu-
! trails.
On Nov. 8, 1914, England declared
the North sea war area and by
planting poorly anchored mines and by
tho stoppage and capture Of vessels
made passage extremely dangerous and
difficult for neutral shipping by &C
tually blockading neutral coasts and
ports contrary to all International law
Long before the beginning Of sub
marine war England practically com
pletely intercepted legitimate neutra,
navigation to Germany also. Thu.
Germany was driven to submarine
war on trade.
Blockade Of Neutral Ports.
On Nov. IA. 1914, the English premier
declared In the house of commons thai
1t was ono of England's principal task,
to prevent food for the German popu
lation from reaching Germany Wis
neutral ports. Since March / England
has been taking from neutral ship
without further formaIty all merchan
disc proceeding to Germany( as well ..
all merchandise csming from Germany