Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-03-02
GER M ANS SHO w
REGRET OVER THE
BREAK WITH u. S.
War Would Be Even More
Regrettable Says Foreign
Secretary, in Discussing
Attempt at Negotiations.

Berlin, March (Wireless)-O
cial text of Foreign Secretary Hlm-
mermann's remarks before the relch-
stag Wednesday concerning Germanys $
negotiations with America and Den
mark was issued by the press bureau
today. The statement follows;
Indeed there have been negotia-
tions between us and Denmark" he
said. They We're known prematurely
by the leak in the Danish press.
About the exact contents, / cannot
communicate anything at all, but can
say that the agreement-if 1t Is car
ried out at all-according to the unan-
imous opinion of all departments con-
cerned. completely takes considera-
ton of our economic and military in
terests. There is no fear therefore,
necessary that these agreements may
make a hole in our barred zone and
against England.
SWISS MINISTER'S ACTION.
In the affairs of our negotiations
which were with the United States, the
underlying facts were these:
"On Feb. we received by the good
offices of the Swiss Federated coun-
ell, telegram from the Swiss min
lister at Washington, who, after the
break in relations, represented our in
terests. The telegram was as follows:
I'm America a desire exists to
avoid war. If the German gov
ernment would now incline to ne
gotiate with the United States
about the blockade, then the Swiss
minister would be gladly willing
to take further care of this af-
fair
"All speakers yesterday declared that
the breaking off of relations with the
United States was regrettable. No
doubt 1t would be still more regret
table if there would be war with the
United States. Between both countries
there exists the old friendly relations.
There is no political antagonism be-
tween both countries and in the eco
nomic domain they more or less de-
pend upon each other"
WANTED TO AVOID WAR.
"One could even say that they ought
to be economic allies" the secretary
continued. Therefore, it is easy to
understand that the government took
care to avoid everything which might
intensity the conflict and cause war
with America.
From the standpoint of these con-
siderations, we examined the sugges-
tion.
From the very outset we were alb
solutely certain that by concession on
our part, the submarine war ought in
no way be limited. Obviously, our
wish to come to an understanding
with America can only be accomplished
so far as we do not conflict with our
declaration of the barred zones which
we are firmly decided to maintain
against our enemies, under all cir
cumstances.
TO USE SHARPEST WEAPON.
"Only after long consideration did VIC
decide to use our sharpest weapon
You know, of course, of our long ne
gotiations with America and our hon
est. sincere peace offer and the jeerng
rebulle of our enemies.
To our attempt at reconciliation,
our adversaries opposed their will to
annihilate us. and. thus nothing was
left for us but to take our last and
best weapon.
After we took this decision, obvi-
ously no backward step is possible.
REGRET NEUTRAL SUFFERING.
we regret that neutrals have to
suffer by it, but we cannot help that
From the standpoint of these consid-
erations, in my answer to America,
only said that Germany now as before
was ready to negotiate under the con-
ditiCn that the establishment of the
barred zone against our enemies was
not impaired. We only hinted at our
readiness to enter into more detailed
negotiations with America about the
admission of passenger ships
The Swiss minister at Washington
transmitted our communications and
thereupon we received from Mr.. Ian
sing II note in very polite terms. Ian
sing said he was authorized by Presi-
dent Wilson to say that the govern :
ment of the United States very gladly
was willing to negotiate with Ger
many, if Germany cancelled her de-
cision of Jan. 81. This being abso-
lutely impossible, the negotiations had
to be considered as a failure before
they were really begun"