Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-09
Bernstorff Presents Views
of His Government in
Long Memorandum
KAISER WILLING TO
FOLLOW PRECEDENTS
Submarine Warfare Merely
Reprisal for British
Disregard Of Laws

Washington, D. c., March s.-The
German government, in memoran-
dun handed today by Count Won Bern
storff to Secretary Lansing, outlines
in detail its position in regard to arm
rL ships, reviews events leading up
70 its decision to torpedo without
warning all armed merchantmen of
its enemies, comedies that interna-
tional law, as at present constituted,
makes no provision for the use of
Submarines and expresses willing
ness to operate its submarines in ac-
cordance with international law pre-
vailing prior to the war on the condi-
late the same laws.
as follows:
The German Position.
"The imperial government, on ac-
count Of the friendly relations which
have always existed between the two
great nations and earnestly desiring
TO continue them, wishes to explain
the U-boat question once more to the
American government.
"At the outbreak of the war the
German government, acting on the
suggestion Of the United States. i'm
mediately expressed is readiness to
ratify the declaration of London. At
that time a German prize code had
already been issued, which was en-
tirely and without modification, based
upon the rules Of the declaration Of
London Germany thereby proved
her willingness to recognize fully the
existing rules of International law
which insure the freedom Of the seas
for the legitimate trade Of neutral
nations not only among themselves
hut also with belligerent countries.
Great Britain, on the other hand.
declined to ratify the declaration of
Lcndon and, after the outbreak of the
var. began to restrict the legitimate
trade of the neutrals in order to hit
Germany. The contraband provisions
were systematically extended on Aug
ust s, 20, September 21 and October
-, 1914. On November 8. 1914, the
order Of the British admiralty fol-
lowed declaring the whole North sea
4 war zone In which commercial ship
ping would be exposed to the most
serious danger from mines and men
of war.
Protests from neutrals were Of no
svail and from that time on the free.
dom Of neutral commerce with Ger
many was practically destroyed. Un.
Ger these circumstances Germany
was compelled to resort, in February,
1915, to reprisals in order to fight her
opponents measures, which were alb.
sclutely contrary to international law.
She chose for this new weapon, the
use Of which had not yet been regu.
lated by international law and In do.
Ing so did not violate any existing
rules but only took into account the
popularity Of this new weapon, the
submarine boat.
Proper Warning Given.
THE use of the submarine naturally
necessitated a restriction OF the fres
movement Of neutrals and constituted
4 danger for them which Germany
Intended to ward of by special warn
ing analogous to the warning Eng.
land had given regarding rhe North
sea.
"As both belligerents Germany in
her note Of February II and Great
Britain In those of February 18 and 20,
1915-claimed that their proceeding
was only enacted in retaliation for the
violation of International law by their
opponent, the American government
approached both parties for the pur-
pose Of trying to reestablish inter-
national law as it had been in force
before the war. Germany was asked
to adapt the use of her new weapon to
the rules which had been existing for
the former naval weapons and England
not to interfere with the food supplies
intended for the noncombatant Ger
man population and to admit their dis
tribution under American supervision.
Germany on March /, 1915, declared
her willingness to comply with the pro-
posal of the American government
whilst England, on the other hand, de-
clined to do So BY the order in coun.
Gil. March II, 1915, Great Britain
abolished even what had remained of
the freedom of neutral trade with Ger
many and her neutral naighbors Eng
lands object was to starve Germany
into submission by these illegal
means.
NeutraIs Spared.
Germany, after neutral citizens had
lost their lives against the wish and
Intention. nevertheless in the further
course Of the war, compiled with the
wishes OF the American government
(Continued on page s.
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