Imperial Valley press., 1915-02-17

vllle)-Admiral Behncke, in an inter
view today with Commander Gherardi
the American naval attache, explained
the reasons animating Germany in de
elaring a war zone around England.
Admiral Behnekes review Of the stu
alton is the most lucid and authorita-
tive yet expressed. He said:
Up to The present time Germany
in her operations ut sea has followed
the lines laid down in the London dec
laration- or, where this declaration did
not cover the case, she has observed
the stipalations Of the Paris treaty,
on which the conduct of war at sea
had been based before the London dec
laration.
"ln waging this war on commerce
England had had in view the subiu-
cation Of Germany by the starvation
OF ner subjects. Germany has in
every war sought to call the attention
Of neutral powers and all others to
the necessity she WAS under of OBJ
tanning food for her civilian popula-
ton. This was her right under the
laws OF war. No results had been OBJ
tanned from her efforts.
"Slnce the shutting off of food sup
plies has now come to a point where
Germany has no longer sufficient food
to feed her people, it has become
necessary for her to bring England
TO terms by the exercise of force.
Germany knows that by the use
OF submarines England can be placed
IN a position where she will find that
food will be lacking there. Germany
has the submarine force to accom-
plish this end. Germany's life as a
nation and the lives of her people de-
pend upon putting this campaign IN
TO action. and she must do it,
The difficulties lying in the way of
this campaign have been largely con-
nected with this consideration, which
1t is desired to show for neutral ships
and for the lives on board of all ships.
whether neutral or enemy.
'By arming her merchant ships with
guns for self defense, England has
adopted and put into force a policy
against which the Germans have pro-
tested strongly. And the United
States took the British point Of view.
1T is not possible for submarines
to approach British merchant ships
and make examinations without eX-
posing themselves to their gunfire or
bomb attack. against which "A sub
marine would be helpless.
'Again, England has advised her
merchant ships TO fly neutral flags,
to cover up their names and to change
the color Of their stacks in order TO
escape the consequences of their ma
tionality.
"This plan was designed to bring
Germany into conflict with other ma
tions.
Germany does not wish in the
slightest degree to harm American or
other neutral ships or their cargoes,
unless they are carrying eontraband
of war. She IS however, in a posi-
tion where her life depends on her
putting into effect The only means she
has Of saving herself and she must
and will use this means.
"The commanding officers of sub
marine boats have been given orders
to make every effort to safeguard
neutrals. In spite of all precausions
which submarines can take without
themselves being destroyed, it is pos
sible that neutral ships, through er-
ror or by accident, might be de-
stroyed.
"For this reason a strong warning
was issued
at may be added that the British
coast is mined by the British them
selves for protective purposes and al
so will be mined by the Germans as
an act of offensive warfare. All ships
therefore are in danger from mines
"In spite of the fact that the ad-
miralty staff feel the use of sub
marines will have a great effect in
bringing the war to rapid close,
they do not wish these measures to
be put into effect to the detriment of
neutral commerce and the rights of
nations on the high seas. The staff
therefore has stated that if Great
Britain will abide by the declaration
of London without modifying its
terms, or by the Treaty of Paris,
whereby the food supplies necessary
for the civil population can be freely
brought into Germany, the whole mat
ter OF submarine blockade VIII be
dropped by Germany.
"This proposal has been transmit
ted through diplomatic channels. II
it is accepted it will be matter. no
longer to provoke trouble between
America and Germany"
Admiral Behncke called Commander
Cherardi's attention to the fact that
England, when she closed the North
sea by her proclamation, did not give
free passage to American ships bound
for the neutral country of Holland,
but compelled these ships to pass
through certain channels, to take an
English pilot and be searched for con-
traband of war by officers of the
English warships.
Admiral Behncke then stated that
Germany was prepared to suggest to
the United States an even freer and
safer method of passage for Amerl-
can ships bound either through the
English channel or to English ports,
namely. that several American war
ships should wait in some port on
the southwest coast of Ireland and
when communicated with by wireless