West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-07-15
GERMAN REPLY RECEIVED IN
ANSWER TO AMERICAN NOTE
United States Vessels Engaged IN
Legitimate Trade Will Not Be
lntcrfered With-The Lives of
Americans on Neutral Ships Will
Not be Endangercd

BERLIN. July 9.-Germany's offer.
embodied in the reply to the Ameri-
can note regarding the sinking of the
Lusitania and submarine warfare
which was delivered to James w Ger
ard, the American ambassador, last
night. is:
First, reiterated assurance that
American ships engaged in legitimate
trade will not be interfered with nor
the lives OF Americans upon neutral
ships endangered.
| Second, that German submarines
Will be instructed to allow American
passenger ships to pass freely and
safely, Germany entertaining i'm re
turn the confident hope that the Amer
lean government will see that these
ships do not carry contraband. such
ships to be provided with distinguish
ing marks and their arrival announ-
ced reasonable time I'm advance
| The same privilege Is extended TO a
| reasonable number of neutral passen-
6N' 'ihPo hAAhtA Aitt american nag.
and should the number of ships thus
available for passenger service prove
inadequate Germany is willing to
promise America to place four hostile
passenger steamers under the Ameri-
can flag TO ply between North America
and Europe under the same condi-
| tions.
The text OF the German note fol-
lows:
Berlin, July s. 1915.
| The undersigned has the honor to
make the following reply To His Ex-
cellency Ambassador Gerard. TO the
note of the tenth ultimo regarding the
impairment OF American interests by
the German submarine war. The inn
perial German government learned
with satisfaction from the note how
earnestly the government of the Uni
ted States is concerned i'm seeing the
principles of humanity realized i'm the
present war. Also this appeal finds
ready echo i'm Germany and the imper-
ial government is quite willing to per
init it's statements and decisions I'm
the present case TO be governed by
the principles of humanity just as IL
has done always.
"The imperial government welcom-
ed with gratitude when the Ameri-
can government, in the note OF May Is
itself recalled that Germany has al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and hu-
manity In dealing with the law of mar
thine war. Since the time when Fred
erick the Great negotiated with John
Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thorn
as Jefferson the treaty OF friendship
and commerce of September 8, 1875.
between Prussia and the republic OF
the West. German and American
statesmen have in fact always stood
| together in the struggle for the free
dom OF the seas and for the protection
of peaceable trade. In the interna-
tional proceedings which since have
been conducted for the regulation OF
the laws OF maritime war Germany
and America have jointly advocated
progressive principles. especially the
abolishment of the right OF capture at
sea and the protection OF the interests
of neutrals.
Even at the beginning of the pres
ent war the German government i'm
mediately declared its willingness i'm
response 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 prin-
ciple that war should be conducted
against the armed and organized
forces Of an enemy country but that
the enemy civilian population must
be spared az far as possible from the
measures OF war. The imperial gov
ernment cherlshes the definite hope
that some way will be found when
peace Is concluded. or perhaps earlier
to regulate the law OF maritime wal
in manner guaranteeing the freedom
of the seas. and will welcome II with
gratitude and satisfaction If II car
work hand In hand with the American
government on that occasion
"If in the present war the princi
pies which should be the ideal Of IN,
future have been traversed more ant
more, the longer its duration. the Ger
man government has no guilt therein
II Is known to the American govern
ment how Germany's adversarica. b,
completely paralyzing peaceful traf
hc between Germany and neutra
countries. have aimed from the yer,
beginning and with increasing lack o
consideration at the destruction no
so much Of the armed forces as In,
life Of the German nation. repudia
ting in doing so all the rules of inter
national law and disregarding all IN,
rights OF neutrals
"On November 3. 1914. England dc
clared the North sea a war area ant
by planting poorly anchored mines
and by the stoppage and capture O
vessels made passage extremely dan
gerous and difficult for neutral ship
] ping. so (byO that actually blockad
ing neutral coasts and ports contrary
J to all international law Long befor,
the beginning OF submarine war Eng
land practically completely intercept
b ed legitimate neutral navigation {,