Evening star., 1915-02-17
Admiral Behncke Gives United
States NavaI.Attache De-
tailed Statement.
NATION is FIGHTING
FOR ITS LIFE, HE SAYS
Country Without Sufficient Food for
Civil Population Strikes Eng
land in Retaliation.

BERLIN. February II. by wireless
Admiral Behncke of the marine depart
n,ent has made statement to Lieut.
Comma nder Walter r. Gherardi, naval
attache of the American embassy at
Berlin. which is given, out ofhcially as
the best exposition of the situation
with respect to Germany's declaration
of the waters around the British Isles
as war zone. Admiral Behncke' S
statement follows:
Up to the present time Germany in
the war at sea has followed the London
declaration or the stipulations of the
Paris treaty, on which the conduct OF
war on the had been based before
the London declaration
In waging this commercial warfare,
England had in view the subjugation
of Germany by starvation Germany
had in every way sought to bring the
others to the necessity she was under
to obtain food for her civilian popula-
tion, which was her right under the
laws of war No results could be OBJ
tatned from her efforts.
Germany Short of Food.
Since the shutting off of food sup
plies had now come to a point where
Germany had no longer sufficient food
for her to bring England to terms by
the exercise of force. Germany knows
that by the use of the subma rine Eng
land can be placed in a position where
food Will be lacking. She has the sub
marine force with which to do it; her
life as a nation and the lives OF her
people depend upon putting this cam
paign into action. and she must do So
The difficulties lying In the way of
this campaign have been largely con-
nected with the care which it is de-
sired to give to neutral ships and to
the lives of those on board all COM
mercial ships. whether neutral or be-
longing to the enemy.
First. in arming her merchant ships
with guns for self-defense England
mans strongly protest The United
States took the British point of view
II is not possible for submarines to ap-
proach British merchant ships and
make examinations without exposing
themselves to gunfire or bomb attack,
against which a submarine boat will be
helpless.
Second. England has advised her
merchant feet to fly neutral flags. to
cover up names and change stacks. to
escape the consequences of their na-
tionality. This plan was designed to
bring Germany into conflict with other
nations
Life Depends on Her Act.
Germany does not wish in the slight
est degree to harm American or other
neutral ship, or their cargoes, unless
carrying contraband of war. She is,
however, in position where her life
depends upon her putting into effect
the only means she has of saving her
self. She must and will use this means.
Commanding officers of submarine
boats have been given orders to make
To To- orl II
spite of the precautions which sub
marines could take-without the dan
ger of being destroyed themselves-the
possibility was noted that neutral ships
might through error OF attack be de-
stroyed- For this reason strong
warning was issued
IN addition. the English coast has
been mined by the British themselves
for protective reasons. and would be
mined by the Germans as an act of
offensive warfare Ships were there-
fore in danger from mines.
Proposal to England.
In spite of the great effect the ad-
niralty staff feel the use of the sub
marines will have in bringing the war
TO rapid close, the admiralty do not
wish to put it into effect. to the detri-
ment of neutral commerce and the
rights of nations on the high seas
Ahey nave, therefore,, stated that II
Great Britain will abide by the dec
!eration of London. without modifica-
tions, or by the treaty of Paris where
by food supplies necessary for the civil
population can be freely brought into
Germany. the whole matter of sub
marine blockade will be dropped by
Germany.
This proposal has been transmitted
through diplomatic channels. If ac-
cepted the matter will be no longer
one provocative of trouble between
the United States and Germany"
Admiral Behncke called Commander
Gherardts attention to the fact that
Great Britain. when. by her proclama-
ton, she closed the North sea, did not
give free passage to American ships
bound for the neutral country of Hol-
land. but compelled the ships to pass
through certain channels, take an Eng
lish pilot aboard and undergo a search
for contraband of war at the hands of
officers of British warships.
Suggests Warship Convoy.
Admiral Behncke then said that Ger