The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-01


Ia the oflcial text Of the German
note addressed to Secretary Lam
sing:
"Mr. Secretary Of State: Your ex-
cellency was good enough to trans
NIT to the imperial government
copy OF tho message which the presi-
dent OF the United States Of America
addressed to tho senate 22nd Inst.
Tho imperial government has given
It the earnest confederation which
the uresident's stxtemeAts Aeserve
inspired as they are. by = deep sen
timent Of responsibility. II is nigniy
| gratifying to the imperial govern
ment to ascertain that the main ten.
dencies of this important statement
correspond largely to the desires and
! principles professed by Germany.
These principles especially include
self-government 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 Importance,
should now obtain their freedom.
Freedom Of the Seas.
The German people also repudiate
all alliances which serve to force the
countries into competition Tor
might and to involve 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 peace
tuI intercourse between them, as
well as the open door for the COM
merce of all nations, has always
formed part of the leading principles
OF Germany's political program. All
the more the imperial government
regrets that the attitude of her enc
mics who are so entirely opposed to
peace. makes it impossible for the
world at present to- bring about the
realization of these lofty ideals. Ger
many and her allies were ready to
enter now into a discussion OF peace
and had set down as basis the guar
anty of existence, honor and free
development of their peoples. Their
aims, as has been expressly stated
in the note of Dec. IL, 1915, were not
directed towards the destruction or
annihilation of their enemies and
were according to their conviction
perfeCtly COInpdCiplc Win INC AA6h'S
OF the other nations.
No Designs on Belgium.
AS to Belgium for which such
warm and cordial sympathy is felt
in the United States. the chancellor
Eas declared only a few weeks pre-
yiousIy that its annexation had
never formed part of Germany's in
tentions. 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 used again
hy Germany's enemies for the pur-
nose of instigating continuous hos
tile intrigues Such precautionary
measures are all the more necessary,
az Germany's enemies have repeat
edly stated not only in speeches de-
livered 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 hos
tile attitude and especially to wage
a systematical economical war
against her.
Lust Actuates Allies.
The attempt of the four allies pow
ers to bring about peace has failed
owing to the lust of conquest of
their enemies, who desired to die
tate the conditions of peace. Under
the pretense of following the prin-
ciple of nationality our enemies have
disclosed their real aims In this way,