The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1917-02-09
Full Official Text Of New German
Note to the United States
Here is the official text of the German note on unreserved
naval warfare addressed to Secretary Lansing and
signed by Count Won BernstOrff;
Mr.. Secretary of State:

signed by Count Won Bernstorf;
MI. Secretary of State:
Your Excenency was good enough to transmit TO the
Imperial Government a copy of the message which the
President of the United States Of America addressed to the
Senate on the 22nd inst. The Imperial Government has
given it the earnest consideration which the Presidents
statements deserve, inspired as they are by a deep senti-
ment Of responsibility. 1t is highly gratifying to the I'M
perial Government to ascertain that the main tendencies of
this important statement correspond largely to the desires
and principles professed by Germany. These principles es-
ecally include self-governmnt and equality of rights for all
nations. Germany would be sincerely glad if, in recognition
of this principle, countries like Ireland and India which do
not enjoy the benefits of political independence, should now
obtain their freedom.
The German people also r~epudiate all alliances which
serve to force the countries into a competition for might
and to evolve them in a net of selfish intrigues.- On the
other hand, Germany will gladly cooperate in all efforts to
prevent future wars The freedom of the seas, being a
preliminary condition of the free existence of nations and
the peaceful intercourse between them, as well as the open
door for commerce of all nations, has always formed part
of the leading principles of Germany's political programme.
Ait the more the Imperial Government regrets that the
attitude of her enemies who are so entirely opposed to
peace makes it impossible for the world at present to bring
about the realization of these lofty deals. Germany and her
allies were ready to enter now into a discussion Of peace and
had set down as a basis the guaranty of existence, honor
and free development Of their peoples. Their aims, as has
been expressly stated in the note of December IL, 1916,
were not directed toward the destruction or humiliation of
their enemies and were, according to their conviction, per-
fectly compatible with the rights of the other nations.
AS to Belgium, for which such warm and cordial SYM
pathy is felt in the United States, the Chancellor had de-
cared only a few weeks previously that its annexation had
never formed part of Germany's intentions. The peace to
be signed with Belgium was to provide for such conditions
in that country, with which Germany desires to maintain
friendly ~neighborly relations, that Belgium should not be
rood oooio NV orroopv'g ooovio- fr +Io ,rOoco &c ;oc+;
eating continuous hostile i~ntrigues. Such precautionary
measures are all the more necessary, as Germanys enemies
have repeatedly stated, not only in speeches delivered by
their leading men but also in the statutes of the economical
conference in Paris, that it is their intention not to treat
Germany as an equal, even after peace has been restored,
but to continue their hostile attitude and especially to wage
a systematical economical war against her.
The attempt of the four allied Powers to bring about
peace has failed owing to the lust of conquest of their
enemies, who desired to dictate the conditions of peace. I'm
der the pretence of following the principle of nationality our
enemies have disclosed their real aims in this way, viz:
To dismember and dishonOr Germany, Austria-Hun-
gary, Turkey and Bulgaria. To the wish of reconciliation
they oppose the will of destruction. They desire a fight to
the bitter end.
A new situation has thus been created which forces
Germany to new decisions. Since two years and a half En-
gland is using her naval power for a criminal attempt to
force Germany into submission by starvation. In brutal con-
tempt of international law the group of Powers led by Eng
land does not curtail the legitimate trade of their opponents,
but they also by ruthless pressure compel neutral countries
either altogether to forego every trade not agreeable to the
Entente Powers or to limit according to their arbitrary de-
crees.
The American Government knows the steps which have
been taken to cause England and her allies to return to the
rules of international law and to respect the freedom of the
seas. The English Government, however, insists upon con-
tinuing its war Of starvation, which does not at all affect
the military power of its opponents, but compels women and
children, the sick and the aged, to suffer for their country
pains and privations which endanger the vitality of the ma
ton. Thus British tyranny mercilessly increases the suffer
ings of the world, Indifferent to the laws of humanity, in
different to the protests of the neutrals whom they severely
harm, Indifferent even to the silent longing for peace among
England's own allies. Each day of the terrible struggle
causes new destruction, new sufferngs. Each day shorten
ing the wan, on both sides, will preserve the life of thousands
of brave soldiers and be a benefit to mankind.
The Imperial Government could not Justify before its
own conscience, before the German people and before his
tory the neglect of any means destined to bring about the
end Of the war. Like the President of the United States,
the Imperial Government had hoped to reach this goal by
negotiations.
After the attempts to come to an understanding with
the Entente Powers have been answered by the latter with
the announcement of an intensified continuation of the war
THE nFpERIAI C~OVERNNENV- ia order tn Sarva the