The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-05-12
TEXT OF sERLIN'S REPLY TO THE
AMERICAN NOTE.

AMERICAN NOTE.
Berlin (by wireless via Sayville, ".
Yo.-Following is the text of the note
OF the German government in reply TO
the American note respecting subma-
rine warfare delivered by Gottlieb Won
Jagow,the foreign secretary. to Am
bassador Gerard:
The undersigned, on behalf OF the
Imperial German Government, has the
honor TO present 10 his excellency the
ambassador OF the United States, Mr..
James W. Gerard, the following reply
90 the note OF April 90 regarding the
conduct OF German submarine war
fare:
The German government handed ov-
er 10 the proper naval authorizes for
early investigation the evidence con-
corning the Sussex as communicated
by the government of the >United
States. Judging by the results that the
investigation has hitherto yielded, the
German government is alive TO the
possibility that the ship mentioned in
the note OF April 10 as having been
torpedoed by German submarine is
actually identical with the Sussex.
Wants More Facts.
The German government begs to re-
serve further communication on the
matter until certain points are ascer.
tained. which are OF decisive import
ance for establishing the facts of the
case. Should 1t turn out that the COM
mander was wrong - assuming the
vessel TO be man-of-war. the German
government will not fail to draw the
consequence resulting therefrom.
In connection with the case Of the
Sussex the government Of the United
States made a series OF statements
the gist Of which is the assertion that
the incident is to be considered but
one instance OF a deliberate method
OF indiscriminate destruction OF ves-
sells of all sorts, nationalities, and des-
tinations by German submarine com
manders.
The German government must en-
phatically repudiate the assertion.
The German government however.
thinks it Of little avail 10 enter into
details in the present stage OF affairs.
more particularly as the government
OF the United States omitted to sub
stantiate the assertion by reference
60 concrete facts.
No Consideration from Allies.
The German government will only
state that il has imposed far-reaching
restraints upon the use of the subma-
rine weapon, solely in consideration OF
neutrals' interests. in spite OF the fact
that these restrictions are necessarily
OF advantage 70 Germany's enemies.
No such consideration has ever been
shown neutrals by Great Britain and
her Allies.
The German submarine forces have
had, in fact. orders 10 conduct the sub
marine warfare in accordance with the
general principles OF visit and search
and the destruction OF merchant ves-
sells recognized by international law.
the sole exception being the conduct OF
warfare against enemy trade carried
on enemy freight ships encountered
in the war zone surrounding Great Bri.
tain. With regard 20 these no assur-
ences have ever been given 10 the
government OF the United States. No
such assurances are contained in the
declaration OF Feb. 8. 1916.
The German government cannot al.
NIT any doubt that these orders were
given or are executed in good faith.
Errors actually occurred. They can
In no kind OF warfare be avoided al
together. Allowances must be made
In the conduct OF naval warfare
agsinst an enemy resorting 10 all kinds
OF ruses. whether permissible or iii.
CT.
But apart from the possibility OF
errors, naval warfare. Just like war
fare on land implies unavoidable dan.
gers for neutral persons and goods en-.
tering the fighting zone. Even in cas-
es where the naval action Is confined
20 ordinary forms OF cruiser warfare.
neutral persons and goods repeatedly
come 70 grief
The German government has re-
peatedly and explicitly pointed out the
dangers from mines that have led 70
the loss OF numerous ships.
The German government has made
several proposals 20 the government
OF the United States In order 10 re-
duce 10 a minimum for American trav.
slers and goods the inherent dangers