The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-10
GERMAN NOTE
lcontinusd Prom first Page,

Va ofHA'AAAVtA At0NH hfANfFM
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 proceed
ings which since have been conducted
for the regulation of the laws of mari
time war Germany and America have
Jointly advocated progressive principles.
especially the adjustment Of the right
OF capture at sea and the protection OF
the interests of neutrals.
Showed Willingness.
Even at the beginning OF the pres
.ent war the German government i'm
'mediately declared its WILLINGNESS IN
response TO proposals OF the Ameri-
can government. To ratify the Declare
ton Of London and thereby subject IT.
self in the use NJ its naval forces TO
all the restrictions provided therein
In favor of neutrals. Germany IKE
wise has been always tenacious OF the
principle that war should be conducted
against the armed and organized
forceE OF an enemy country but thar
the enemy civilian population must
be spared as far as possible from the
measures OF war. The imperial gov
that some way will be found when
peace is concluded. or perhaps earlier.
to regulate the law of maritime war
in a manner guaranteeing the Tree
dom OF the seas. and will welcome It
with gratitude and satisfaction n II
can work hand in hand with the
American government on that occa-
sion.
III in the present war the prin-
ciples which should be the ideal OF
the future have been traversed more
and more. the longer It's duration. the
German government has no guilt
therein II Is known TO the Amerl-
can government now Germany's al
versaries. by completely paralyzing
peaceful traffic between Germany and
neutral countries. have aimed from the
very beginning and with increasing
lack OF consideration at the destruc-
tion not so much of the armed forces
as the life of the German nation. re-
pudiatins in doing so all the rules or
international law and disregarding all
rights of neutrals.
Declared War Area.
"On November ,. 1914. England de-
clared the North sea war area and
by planting poorly anchored mines
anu ny wv ENuHIMkf anu AtRAuAt VI
vessels made passage extremely dan
gerous and difficult for neutral ship
ping. so Thy p that actually block
aiding neutral coasts and ports con
trary to- all international law. Long
before the beginning of submarine war
England practically completely inter
cepted legitimate neutral navigation 20
Germany also.
Thus Germany was driven to a sub
marine war on trade.
"On November II. 1914. the Eng
lish Premier declared in the house on
Commons that IL was one Of England's
principal tasks 10 prevent food for the
German population from reaching Ger
many via neutral ports. Since March
first. England has been taking from
neutral ships without further formal
ity all merchandise proceeding 10 Ger
many. as well as all merchandise conf
ing from Germany. even when neutral
property. Just as IL was also with
the Beers. the German people Is now
to be given the choice Of perishing
from starvation with its women and
children or OF relinquishing It's indie
pendence
War Of sletOefense.
while our enemies thus loudly and
Z openly proclaimed war without mercy
until our utter destruction. We were
| conducting q waF Boz selfdenfense for
our national existence and for the
sake Of peace OF an assured perma-
I rcncy. We have been OBLIGED to
| adopt submarine warfare 10 meet
I the declared intentions Of our enc
mics and the method 81 warfare
adopted by them in contraycntion Of
& international law
With an be efforts I'm principle 10
| protect neutral life and property from
I damage az much sa possible. tho Ger
man government recognized unrcrorv-
/ eddy in its memorandum of February
I q that The Interests ct neutrals mirht
7 suffer from tho submarine warfare
l However. tho American government
T will also understand and appreciate
b that in tho ncht Tor existence which
has been forced upon Germany hy its
adFersarics and announced by them
Do is The sacred duty of tho imperial
I rycrnmont to do aU within Ifs power
I o. protect and sasc the lives OF Ger
man subjects. NJ the imperial govern
ment were dereIcf in these. Its duties.
Z BE- would be- cuuty before God and his
tory Of tho violation OF those nrinci-
l nlce Of highest humanity which are
| the foundation of every national exist
. cncc
Lustsnfa Case in Point
THE case of The IusifanIa shows
with horrible rirarurHr fr what leo-
pardizinE OF human lives tho manner
Of condurtinr war employed hF our
E advcraaries lead. In tho most direct
contradiction of International aw. on
distinctions between merchantmen and
war vessels have been 0hIterafrd hv
t the order to British merchantmen 10
arm themselves and 90 ram aubm1-
rines. and tho promise of rewards
therefor. and nfutrais Who ueo NOR
Z chantmen aa travellers thereby have
been exposed In an Increasing do-ree
to Oh the dangers of war
'if The commander OF tho German
ru brla rfrr arMFrh FFafrrrrr fhe ..-t