Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-31
Won JiGow COMMENTS
ON REPLY TO AMERICA


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Won JiGOW COMMENTS
ON REPLY TO AMERICA
Berlin. May 80 tyia london, May
81, $3.50 a. m.)--Ciottlieb Won Jagow
the Imperial German foreign secrc-
I tafy. today received the correspond
ent Of the Associated Press and out
/ lined the reasons which impelled the
German government to send an ad in
term note toNthe United States gov
eminent, instead Of a final and defi-
mite reply 10 the American representa-
tions regarding the Lusitania and
other ships that have been torpedoed
and Germany's submarine policy.
The issues involved. said Herr
Won Jagow, ARE Of such importance,
and the views in regard to the Lusi-
tania show such variance, that the
German government believed it essen
I tial to attempt to establish common
basis of fact before entering into a
discussion of the issues involved
I'VE hope and trust that the Amer
| lean government will take the same
view OF the ease and let us know in
what point their understanding on the
facts differs from The German view
point as sci forth in the note, and
in what points they agree, before
looking for a direct answer TO their
communication.
THE American note, Of course,
leaves the way open for a preliminary
discussion of the questiop as suggest
ed in the German note. ! hope that
such common basis of fact, once es-
tablished may serve as the ground
work for further conversations
The minister was unwilling to give
more definite outline or to com
ment on the suggestion that an ar
arrangement might be reached on a ba-
sis of an inspection and certification
by the American government of pas
lsenger ships not carrying war cargoes,
pointing out that he did not feel enti-
tied to anticipate as the other depart
ments of the government must be
heard before suggestions could he def
intely taken up or discussed
Or. Won Jagow expressed pleasure
lat the newspaper announcement that
American line steamers were not car
rying contraband, but he suggested
the advisabllity of supplementing such
newspaper statements by more defi-
mite authoritative announcements.
Replying TO n question. DR. Won ia
gov said that Germany from, the out
set had been Wiling to abandon her
submarine warfare against merchant
men in response to a return by Great
Britain TO the regulations of war re-
garding contraband generally accept
ed before the war, the specific con-
dition being the lifting of the embargo
on foodstuffs and raw materials now
on the list of conditional contraband
II WAS not Germany's fault, he said,
that the well-meant proposals of tho
United States for o compromise
failed
THE question Of fo0dstuffs and raw
materials" DR.. Won Jagow said, Is
not question Of necessity for Ger
many. but one Of principle. Germany
has shown, ! think that it cannot be
starved ont, by Great Britain's embar-
60 on foOdstuffs We may be a little
short Of some or other particular food
product. but we have enough to keep
on the struggle.
"'rhe same H. true of raw materials
with which. according to the London
declaration, belligerents have no right
TO interfere when they are not specifi-
cally destined for the armed force of
an enemy. Germany is able TO get
along, even If the imports of such ma
terials are cut off. Germany, how
ever objects to the cool assumption of
the British cabinet that when it is un-
able to defeat the German armies le-
Ultimately on the battlefield. it is en-
titled to try to force the nation to its
knees by economic pressure, disre-
garding all accepted precepts and reg
ulations of war.
"The analogy of the besieged for
tress does not apply to Germany
The resident who settles In fortress
does so cogni2ant of the risk and
aware that he can leave before the
siege begins; but there is no precedent
for the siege Of the civilian population
Of a whole nation i'm its own land with
no possibility of escaping Germany
will fight such an unjustified method
Of war with all the means at her dis
posal"
Dr. Won Jagow said he had absn-
lutely no information regarding the
American steamer Nebraskan which
vas damaged by an explosion in the
Irish sea last week, and in the abb
sence of any definite. news as TO
whether the ship was torpedoed or
struck mine, he declined to express
any opinion as to the effect of the in
cident on the pending negotiations.
The Nebraskan, in any event, DIR,
Won Jagnw said. was not torpedoed
with design by German submarine. !
The German policy regarding neutral
shipping. even in the war zone. had
been enunciated clearly. There was
no intention of attacking neutral
ships.
Are you an optimist or pessimst
regarding the German-American sit
uatiOn?" the correspondent asked as
he was taking his leave of the foreign
minister. How can | tell you how
our note will he received ?" replied /
DR. Won Jagow, Il have no means of |
communicating with the ambassador
al Washington or of gauging public |
sentiment Wireless communication
is Unite / and rather unsatisfactory. |
There are no means for cabling. and
the open wireless messages we are
sending are read or interfered with /
by British stations We are virtually |
cut off from America and are work |
t.. ) h.. L.. u