Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-19

thcse friendly relations. the German
government believes that 1t may all
the more reckon on n fun understand
ms with the United states. as the pro-
cedure announced by the German adj
miralty, which was fully explained in
tho note of tho ith instant. is in no
way directed against legitimate com
merce and Legitimate shipping of nen-
trails. hut represents solely measure
of self-defcnse. imposed on Germany
hy her vital Interests against England =
method o; warfare. which is contrary
10 international law. and which SO far
no protest by neutrais has succeeded III
bringing back to The generally recos =
uized principles OF law existing be
foro tho outbreak OF war.
I'm order 10 exclude all doubt re
sardinE The cardinal points. the Ger
man government once more begs leave
TO state how things stand. Until now
Germany has sCrupuluusly observed
valid international rules regarding
naval warfare. At the Very beginning
OF the war Germany Immediately
agreed TO the proposal OF the Amcri-
can government 10 ra,ify the new
Declaration OF London. and took over
its contents unaltcred. and without
formal obligation. into her prize law.
OHEIED ENEN H. OPPOSED
TO MILITARY INTERESTS
The German government has obeyed
these rules even when they were
diamctrically opposed to her military
interests. For instance, Germany al
lowed the transportation of provisions
to England from Denmark until to-day
although she WAS we'll able. hy her sea
forces. 10 prevent IT, In coutradistinc-
ton 10 this attitude. England has not
even h"Sitated at q second infringe
mcnt OF international law. IL by such
means she could paralyze. the poRrcfu
commerce of Germany with ncutrals
The German government will be the
i"ss obliged to enter Into details as
these are put down sufficiently. though
not cNSaustively. in the American note
20 ting British government dated De-
ccmhcI %. as result OF five months
experience
MI these cncroRollments have been
made, as has been admitted in order 10
cut on all supplies from Germany. ana
thereby starve her peaceful civil popu-
latlon-a procedure contrary to all
humanitarian principles. Ncutrals have
neen unable TO prevent the Interrupt
ton OF their commerce with Germany.
= IL W =.
The American government ms Germany
readily acknowledges. has protested
aEninst the British procedure IN spite
Of these protests. and protests from
other neutral states Great Britain
could not he induced TO depart from
the course OF action she had decided
upon Thus. for instance the Aineri-
can ship Wilhelmina recently was
stopped by tn" British. although her
cargo was destined solely for the Ger
man civil population. and accord
ing TO the express declaration OF the
German government. was to be en-
pioycd only for this purpose
Germany Is as good as cut off from
her overseas supply by the silent or
protesting liberation OF neutrals. not
only IN regard TO such goods AS are
absolute contraband. but also in regard
TO such as, according 10 Acknowledged
law hefore the war. are only condI
tonal contra band or not contraband at
al. ireht Britain on the other hand is
with tho liberation OF neutral govern :
menis, not only supplied win such
FOODS As are not contraban or not con-
hitionai conirabaud, but with goods
Whlch are regarded by Great Britain. IL
sent TO Germany, as absolute contra :
hand; namely, provisions, Industrial raw
materials, etc, nnd even with goods
-
Iardcd as absolute contrabnnd
CoNTRARAND TRAFFIC.
WITH GREAT HnIT4IN
The German government feels itself
obliged 10 point out with the greatest
emphasis that a traffic In arms csti =
mated NJ many hundreds OF millions is
being carried on between American
irns and GcrmanN'S rncIi.cS GERMANY
tully comprchcnds that the practice Of
itsF. al H.
The part OF ncutrals are matters shso.
lutcly at the dissertations uf ncutrals.
and involve ns formal violation OF neu
iFality. Germany, therefore, did not
complain OF any formal violation o,
noutra!!ty bu; the German government,
IN view OF the complete evidence he
fore II, cannot help pointing out that
H.. together with the entire public
opinion OF Germany. feels itself to he
severely prcjudiced by the fact that
nnutrals in safeguarding their rights
in legitimate commerce with Germany
according TO international law. have,
up to the present. achieved no, or
only Insignificant, results. while they
are making unlimited use Of their
right by carrying on contrabrand
irsf''c with Great Britain and our
"lf IL is formal right OF neutrals
10 take steps 10 protect their legiti-
mate trade with Germany. and even
10 allow themselves 10 be influenced
IN the direction O! The conscious ana
wiiful restriction OF their trade, on
the other hand, they have tho perfect
right which they unfortunately do nor
exercise. 10 cease cUntInbrand trade
especially IN arms. with Gcrmany's
enemies.
In view Of this situation. Germany,
after SIX months Of patient waiting
secs herself obliged TO answer Grca
Britain's nurderous method oC naval
warfare with sharp coUutcrmcnsures
II Great Britain. III her nEht against
German, summons hunger as an ally
for the purpose OF imposing upon y
civilized people OF 100000. the choice
between d"stitutiur and starvation. OF
submission 10 Great RritaIn's com
merciel NIL then Germany IS deter
mined to take up the gauntlet and
appeal 70 similar allies
Germany trusts that The neutral.
who 90 far have submitted 10 the dis.
advantageous consequences Of Grca'
Britain's hunger war in silence or mere.
ly in registering protest. wlil displaI
towards Germany no smaller meh sur.