Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-02-25
BRITAIN REJECTS PROTEST OF u. 6;
BERLINS REPLY FIRM BUT FRIENDLY
Reply to U. S. Protest Says
Blockade Is Necessary.
USED AS 5ELF-DEFENSE
Commanders Of Submarines Told to
Use Vigilance TO Spare American
Vessels-Warships Urged to Ac-
company Ships in War Zone.

Berlin, Germany (Yia London), Feb.
20.-The reply of Germany to the pro
test Of the United States against a
blockade Of British waters is couched
il the most friendly terms, but firmly
maintains the position Of Germany
as already announced. The answer,
which is a long document, was con-
verted ito code at the United States
embassy under the direction Of Am
bassador Gerard and on Thursday was
transmitted in full to Washington.
The note explains that Germany
proposed action is rendered necessary
by Great Britain's policy Of attempt
ing to cut of the food supply for the
German civil population by method
never recognized in international law.
England's course in ordering mer-
chantmen to fly neutral flags and
equipping them with artillery, with or
ders to destroy submarines, the Ger
man reply contends, renders nugatory
the right of search.
Germany holds that she cannot
abandon that right under the stress
which England has put upon her.
Since Germany must compel the
nations with which she is at war to
return to the recognized principles Of
international law and restore the free
dom of the seas, she argues that the
stand she has taken is necessary.
The note recommends that the
United States government send war
ships to England to convoy merchant
vessel through the danger zone, with
the understanding that vessels thus
guarded shall carry no war supplies.
Hope is expressed that the Ameri-
can government win understand the
position in which Germany has been
placed and appreciate the reasons for
its course.
The reply closes with an expression
of the hope that the United States
may prevail on Great Britain to re-
turn to the principles of international
law recognized prior to the outbreak
of the war" and in particular obtain
the observance of the declaration of
London by belligerents opposed to
Germany If this is done, the note
explains, Germany would be enabled
to import food supplies and raw ma
terials. Germany would recognize
this, says the reply, an invaluable
service toward a more humane con
duct of the war and would act in &C
cordance with the new situation thus
created
Great Britain is, with the federation
of neutral governments, not only sup
piled with such goods as are no
contraband, but with goods which are
regarded by Great Britain, if sent t.
Germany, as absolute contraband.
The German government feels itsel
obliged to point out with the creates
emphasis that a traffic in arms, est
mated at many hundreds of millions
is being carried on between United
States firms and Germany's enemies
II it is a formal right of neutrals Il
take no steps to protect their legiti
mate trade with Germany and ever
to allow themselves to be influencet
in the direction of the conscious ant
WlllTuI ueStTuSIlOu OF IIelT IIdue, Oh
the other hand they have the perfec
right. which they unfortunately do no
exercise, to cease contraband trade
especially in arms, with Germany
enemies.
Germany is ready TO deliberate witt
the United States concerning an,
measure which might secure tn
safety Of legitimate shipping of net
trails in the war zone.