Evening journal., 1915-07-27
NOTE UNFRIENDLY.
berlin PAPERS SAY
"ShowS An Absolute Lack of
Readiness to Understand
German Standpoint
HAVE CONCEDED
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE

BERLIN. July 27.-The latest
American note TO Germany concern
ing submarine warfare has been re-
ceived most unfayorably by most OF
the German newspapers. The vos-
sische zeitung in an editorial says
THE refusal TO accept Germany's
practical proposal 10 protect Ameri-
can passengers shows an absolute
lack of readiness to understand the
German standpoint The principle
that belligerent states must protect
neutrals is untenable II applied in
the fullest sense. as II would mean
abdication to neutral states.
1T is true that belligerents must
respect neutral rights. but only pro-
vided neutrals do everything 10 pre-
vent their citizens getting into situa-
tions where protection is impossible.
Victory the Supreme Law.
Victory over the enemy is the SUI
preme law for every belligerent Those
who render more dlfilcult this task
than does international law support
the enemy The war on land has
shown clearly that restrictions are
necessary. A person who remains
within a beleaguered fortress or
walks into a gunfire zone risks his
life without the right of protection
from his home government
HThe same also is true OF naval
warfare. in spite Of the mistaken
phrase freedom OF the seas II is
granted that the ocean is free for
peaceful travel, bu; naval battles also
take place on II. Neutral ships sail
ing between fighting battleships run
the risk Of being hit by shells and
also Of being struck by mines. The
submarines only instruments are
torpedoes
Those who demand that Germany
should conduct the war according TO
rules laid down by some academic
professor expect Germany either TO
endanger her submarines or 10 give
up this warfare. which means the
weakening OF Germany In the inter
est Of the enemy. This is not neu-
trality but partisanship against Ger
many.
Has Clear Conscience.
I'VE know today that the passenl
gers (of the Lusitania) could have
been saved but that they were ne
elected. Germany regrets their death
but she has a clear conscience and
has no reason 10 disapprove Of the
conduct OF her submarine comman-
ders.
President Wilson considers the
further torpedoing OF British war
ships carrying American passengers
a deliberately unfriend act. While
Germany always Is glad to respect
American friendship. she has CON
ceded everything that can be con-
ceded One bit more would be con-
sidered humiliating by the German
nation, whose armies have been vic
torious. upon all the battlehelds In
the east and in the west"
The Vossische zeitung adds that
the note further shows that not only
is President Wilson's policy in the
matter of the German submarine pol
icy Influenced by an especial relation
TO England but also by the internal
political situation in the United
States"
THE only answer to the concluding
paragraph OF the note" says the
newspaper. lis that American citizens
have II in their own power to avoid
danger"
Says Note Aids Britain.
Capt Persius. naval expert OF the
Tageblatt says;
The American note expresses a de-
cided Will to rob us in our battle
against England Of the weapon on
which We place the biggest hopes. BY
the rejection OF the German proposals
regarding special ships. the United
States shows that II is not striving
for the safety of its citizens, but rath-
er for the laming of our submarine
campaign
1T distinguishes between the rule,
OF International law on land and on
sea because II now suits the CHIEF
helper of Great Britain 10 do so.
The note shows that the pro-Britisf
agitators have now secured DONNA,
ton over the President"
Count Ernest Won Reventlow. In IN,
Tageszeitung. declares that the con
tents and wording OF the note far eX
coed even the most unfavorable an
ticipations. Count Reventlow writes
The note uses language which vii
ind no response with the overwhelm
ing majority Of the German nation
since II means. in the last analysis
an appeal to fear. a threatening dom
ineering demand The note will maxi
a conceivably bad impression amonl
the people. since II lacks utterly thu
friendly frankness of the German
note and breathes almost hateful dis
regard OF the German GOVERNMENT
standpoint"
The Tagetszeitung says further:
'Neutrals have rights. but so ais,
has a great nation lighting for IL
life. Though maintaining submarine
warfare Germany always is willing (,
respect the justihable wishes o
Americans. but not al any price"
Calls Note Threatening.
The Morgen Post declares that thl
note shoves the German proposals
aside and that its author lifts his
finger threatening and considers tha
an especially strong way OF estab
fishing his point"
The kreuzzeitung declares that al
most every sentence in the note de
mapds sharp disagreement. II add,
tnat II may be supposed that IN,
German government will stamp as