Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-10

Germany's reply to the American snoto regarding submarine warfare, which was brought to the attention of the German government following the sinking of the Lusitania, reiterates the assurance that American ships will not be interfered with so long as they are engaged in legitimate trade, nor the dives of Americans upon neutral ships sbe endangered.
 The German government also makes the assurance that German submarines will be instructed to permit the pas sage of American passenger ships. but in return entertains the hope that hie American government will see that these ships do not carry contraband.
 Should the number of passenger ships flying the American flag prove inadequate, Germany announces that she Is willing to permit America to place in service four hostile passenger steamers under the American flag to ply between European and American ports.
 Berlin. July g. 9.25 p. m-. via London. July 10.-The text of the German note follows:
 ''The undersigned has the honor to make the following reply to His Ex- cellency Ambassador Gerard to the note of the 10th ut1irno re. the impair
 
 German submarine war. The imperial government learned with satisfaction from the note how earnestly the gov ernment of the United States is con- cerned in seeing the principles of hu- manity realized in the present war. Also this appeal finds ready echo in Germany. and the imperial government Is quite willing to permit its statements and decisions in the present case to be governed by the principles of hu- .nanity, just as it has done always.
 Progress and Humanity.
 The imperial government welcomed with gratitude when the American gov ernment in the note of May. 15 itself recalled that Germany he'd always per- 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 g. 17s5, between Prussia and the republic Of the west, German 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 proceedings which since have been conducted for the regula- tion of the laws of maritime war, Ger many and America have Jointly advo- cated progressive principles, especially the abolishment of the right of capture at sea and the protection of the inter- ests of neutralS.
 Germany Would Spare Enemy Civilians
 "Even at the beginning of the pres- ent war the German government im- mediately declared it's willingness, in respose 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 the en- erny country, but that the enemy civil ian population must be spared as far as possible from the measures of war. The imperial government cherishes the defl- n1te hope that some way will be found when peace is concluded, or perhaps earlier, to regulate the law of maritime war in manner guaranteeing the free- dom Of the seass and will welcome 1t with gratitude and satisfaction if it can work hand in hand with the Amer ican government on that occasion.
 Adversaries Aim at Germany's Life.
 If in the present war the princi- pies which should be the ideal of the future have been trangressed more and more the longer its duration the German government has no guilt therein. It is known to the American government how Germany's adversa- ries, by completely paralyzing peace able traffic between Germany and neu- trai countries. have aimed from the very beginning and with increasing lack of consideration at the destruc- 4ion. not so much of the armed forces as the life of the German nation, re- pudiating in doing so all the rules of international law. and disregardine all rights of neutrals.
 Driven to Submarine War On Trade
 'On November 8, 1914. England de- clared the North Sea a war area, and by planting poorly anchored mines and by the stoppage and capture of vessels made passage extremely dam gerous and difficult for neutral ship ping, so by that actually blockading neutral coasts and ports contrary to all international law. Long before the beginning of submarine war England practically completely intercepted le- gitimate neutral navigation to Ger many also. Thus Germany was driven to a submarine war on trade.
 England Selxing Neutral Properly.
 con November 14. 1914, the English premier declared in the Blouse of Commons that 1t was one of Engiand's principal tasks to prevent food for the German population from reaching Germany via neutral ports. Since March 1se England has been taking from neutral ships without further &orrnality all merchandise proceeding to Germany. as we'll as all merchan- dtse coming from Germany even,