The Washington times., 1915-07-10
Text of Berlin Reply to y. S. Note

The undersigned has the honor to
make the following reply to his ex-
cellency Ambassador Gerard to the
note of the tenth ultimo, lie the inn
pairment of American interests by
the German submarine war:
The imperial government learned
with satisfaction from the note how
earnestly the Government of the
United States is concerned. in seeing
the principles of humanity realized
IN the present war. Also this appeal
nnds ready echo In Germany, and
the Imperial government is quite
willing to permit Its statements and
decisions in the present case to be
governed by the principles of hui
manity just as 1t has done always.
Inc imperial government welcomed
with gratitude when the American
Government. in the note of May Is.
itself recalled that Germany had al
ways permitted itself to be governed
by the principles of progress and hui
manity In dealing with the law Of
maritime war.
Since the time when Frederick the
Great negotiated with John Adams,
Bcnjamin Franklin, and Thomas
and commerce of September Q. 17s5,
between Prussia and the republic of
the west. German and American
states. have. in fact. always stood to-
Eether In the struggle for the free
dom OF the seas and for the protec-
ton OF peaceable trade.
Championed Neutral Rights.
In the international proceedings
which since have been conducted for
the regulation. of the law for mari
time warfare. 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 It's willingness. In
response to proposals of the Amei-
can Government. to ratify the decla-
ration of London. and thereby sub
ject itself In the use of Its naval
forces to all the restrictions provided
therein IN favor Of neutrals.
Germany likewise has always been
tenacious Of the principle that war
should be conducted against the
armed and organized forces of an
enemy country. but that the enemy
civilian population must be spared.
as far as possible, from the measures
Of war. The imperial government
cherishes the definite hope that some
way will be found when peace is con-
cluded, or perhaps earlier, to regu-
late the law of maritime war in a
manner guaranteeing the freedom OF
the seas and will welcome It with
gratitude and satisfaction It It can
work hand in hand with the Ameri-
can government on that occasion.
Puts Blame On Allies.
If in the present war the principles.
which should be the IDEAL OF the fu-
ture. have been traversed more and
more, the longer its duration. the
German government has no guilt
therein. 1t is known to the American
government how Germanys adversa-
rtes. by completely paralyzing peace
able traffic between Germany and
neutral countries. have aimed from
the very beginning and with in
creased lack Of consideratio at the
destruction, not SO much OF the
armed forces as the life Of the Ger
man nation, repudiating in doing so
all the rules " international law and
dlsregarding all rights OF neutrals.
On November 3, 1914, England de-
clared the North Sea a war area, and
by planting poorly anchored mines
and blythe stoppage and capture of
vessels. made passage extremely dan
gerous and difficult for neutrals'
shipping. and that actually blockad-
ing neutral coasts and ports contrary
to all international law.