Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-19

military interests. For instance, Ger
many allowed the transportation OF
provisions to England from Denmark
until today, though she was well able
by her sea forces, to prevent 1t. In
contradistincton to this attitude, Eng
land has not even hesitated at q sec
ond infringement Of international law
II by such meas she could paralyze
the peaceful commerce Of Germany
with neutrals. The German govern
ment will be the less obliged to enter
into details, as these are put down
sufficiently, though not exhaustively
in the American note to the Britlsh
government dated Dec. "a, as a result
OF flve-months experience
British Eneroaehments
"All these entertainments have beer
made. as has been admitted, in order
to cut off all supplies from German.
and thereby starve her peaceful ciSl
populations procedure contrary te
all humanitarian principles. Neutrals
have been unable to prevent the inter
ruption Of their commerce with Ger
many, which is contrary to interna'
tional laws.
THE German government as Ger
MANY really acknowledges. has pro-
tested against the British procedure
In spite Of these protests and pro-
tests from other neutral states, Grea'
Britain could not be induced to par
from the course Of action she had de-
cided upon Thus for instance. th'
American ship Wilhelmina recently
was stopped by the British. although
her cargo was destined solely Tor tins
German civil population and. accord
ing to the express declaration Oh 'h'
German government was to be en-
ployed only for this purpose.
liberation Of Neutrais
Germany is as good as cut off from
her overseas supply by the silent OF
nrotesting liberation of neutrals, no
only in regard to such goods as arr
absolute contraband but also in re-
gard to such as, according to ac'
Lnowledged law. before the war ar
only conditional contraband or on
contrabsnd at all. Great Britain, OF
the other hand, is with the toleratloI
Of neutral governments not only sup
nlied with such goods as are not con
traband or only conditional contra
hand. but with goods which are re-
earded by Great Britain, if sent t
Germany. as absolute contraoano
namely, provisions. Industrial raw ma
t4rials. etc, and even with gooo'
which have always induoltably peei
regarded as absolute contraband
"rhe German government feels It
self as obliged to point out with tb'
greatest emphasis that traffic IL
arms estimated at many hundreds o
millions, is being carried on between
American firms and Germans enc
mics. Germany fully comprehend
that the practice Of right and the tol
Grafton OF wrong on the part or neu
trails arc matters absolutely at tn
6iscretions 70 neutrals and involve n
formal violation of neutrality.
Traffic In contraband
Germany therefore did not complain
of any formal violation of neutrality, bu
the German government. in view OF com
plete evidence becofe it, cannot hel,
pointing out that it, 'cgether with tn
/
Itself TO be severely prejudiced by tn
I fact that neutrals, in safeguarding thei
rights in legitimate commerce with Ger
many according to international law
have up TO the present achieved no o
only insignificant results, while they ar
making unlimited use of their right b
carrying on contra band traffic with Grea
Britain and our enemies
IF il is a formal right of neutrais (
take no steps to protect their legiti,rat
trade with Germany and even to ALLOW
themselves to be Influenced in the direc
ton of the conscious ard wilful restric
ton Of their trade, on the other hand
they have the perfect right. which the
unfortunately DO not exercise, TO ceas
| contraband trade, especially in arms
with Gernany's enemies.
Forced to Act
I'm view of this situation, Germany
after six months Of patient waiting. see
herself obliged 70 answer Great Britain
rnurderous method of naval warfare Wit
sharp counter measures. If Great Bri
tain in her fight against Germany sum
mons hunger as an ally, for the purpos
Of imposing upon q civilized people G
100000 the choice between destitutio
and starvation or submission to Grea
Britains commercial will, then German
! today is determined to take up the gaunt
let and appeal to similar allies
Germany trusts that the neutrals VIII
so far have submitted to the disadvanta
geous consequences Of Great Britain
hunger war in silence, or merely in reg
istering a protest. will display toward
| Germany no smaller measure OF tolera
ton. even if German measures, like thos
| of Great Britain. present new terrors c
naval warfare.
Moreover. the German government j
resolved to suppress with all the mean
at its disposal the. importation of va
material to Great Britain and her allie.
and she takes it for granted that neutra
governments which so far have take
no steps against the traffic in arms wit
Germany's enemies. will not oppose fore
IDLE suppression by Germany Of thi
trade.
The War Zone
Acting from this point of view. tn
German admiralty proclaimed a navs
war zone, whose limits it exactly de
fined. Germany, so far as possible, wi
| seek to close this war zone with mines
and will also endeavor to destroy hostil