Connecticut western news., 1915-07-15
FULL TEXT OF THE NOTE.

The undersigned n0S the honor U make the following reply to his excel lency Ambassador Gerard to the not, of the 10th ultimo re the impairment 0 American interests by the German sub marine war:
 The imperial government learnef with satisfaction from the note how earnestly the government of the Unit ed States is concerned in seeing the principles of humanity realized in tht present war; also this appeal find: ready echo in Germany. and the impe rial government is quite willing to per init it's statements and decisions in the present case to be governed by the principles of humanity just as it has done always.
 ! The imperial government welcomed with gratitude when the American government in the note of May 15 it. self recalled that Germany had always permitted 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, 17S5, between Prus- sia and the republic of the west Ger 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.
 1 In the international proceedings which since have been conducted for the regulation of the laws of maritime war Germany and America have joint. ly advocated progressive principles, es. pecially the abolishment of the right of capture at sea and the protection of the interests of neutrals.
 ' Cites Declaration of London.
 Even at the beginning of the present war the German government imme- diately declared its willingness, in re sponse to proposals of the American government, to ratify the declaration Of London and thereby subject itself In the use of its naval forces to all the restrictions provided therein in favor of neutrals.
 Germany likewise has been always tenacious of the principle that war should be conducted against the armed and organized forces of an enemy coun- try, but that the enemy civilian popu. iation must be spared as far as nossi. ble from the measures of war. The imperial government cherishes the def mite hope that some way will be found when peace is concluded, or perhaps earlier, to regulate the law of mari time war in manner guaranteeing the freedom of the seas and will welcome it with gratitude and satisfaction if if can work hand in hand with the Amer can government on that occasion.
 If in the present war the principles which should be the ideal of the future have been traversed more and more, the longer it's duration. the German government has no guilt therein. If Is known to the American government how Germany'S adversaries. by con- pletely paralyzing peaceable traffic be. tween Germany and neutral countries, have aimed from the very beginning and with increasing lack of considera- ton at the destruction, not so much of the armed forces as the life of the German nation, repudiating in doing so all the rules of international law and fisregarding all rights of neutrals.
 On Nov. 3, 1914, England declared the North sea war area, and by planting poorly anchored mines and by the stoppage and capture of yes sels made passage extremely dap~o~
 't -9~s- -sa,s 8Ra aificpE. fer neutral shipping. and thaSt actNFliy bl6ckading neutral coasts and ports contrary to all inter- national law. Long before the begin ming of submarine war England prac' tically intercepted legitimate neutral navigation to Germany also. Thus s7ermany was driven to a submarine war on trade.
 F~~ Would Starve .the People,.
 On Nov. 14, 1914, the English pre- mier declared in the house of com rsens that it was one of England principal tasks to prevent food for tn <Gerlsan population from reachin Germany via neutral ports. Sine March 1 England has been takin from neutral ships without furthe formality all merchandise proceedin to Germany. as well as all merchal disc coming from Germany, eve
 when neutral property. Just as
 was also with the Boers, the Germa
 people is now to be given the choi
 of perishing from starvation with i
 women and children or of rel1nquis
 ing it's independence.
 While cur enemies thus loudly al
 openly proclaimed war without mer
 until our utter destruction, we we
 conducting war in self defense
 our national existence and for the sa