New Britain herald., 1917-02-01
American Vessels Per-
 mitted to Cross At-
 lantic Ocean But Only Under Conditions Prescribed By Berlin

Washington, Feb. 1.-Am bassador von Bernstorff presented the follow ing memorandum from the German government to Secretary of State Lansing, late yesterday.
 Washington, Jan. 31, 1917. MT. Secretary of State. ts
 Your Excellency was good enough to transmit to the imperial govern ment a copy of the message which the president of the United States of Am erica addressed to the senate on the 22d inst. The imperial government has given it the earnest consideration which the presidents statements de serve, inspired, as they are, by deep sentiment of responsibility.
 It is highly gratifying to the imper- al government to ascertain that the main tendencies 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 coun- tries Ike Ireland and India, which do not enjoy the benefits of political independence, should now obtain their freedom.
 The Ezerman people also repudiate all alliances which serve to force tho countries into a competition for might and to invilve them in a net of sell fish int1 igLes.
 On the other hand, Germany will gladly cooperate in all efforts to prevent future wars. The freedom or the seas. being a preliminary condi- of and the peaceful intercourse between them as we'll as the open door for the commerce of all nations. has always formed part of the leading principles of Germany's political program.
 All the more the imperial! govern ment regrets that the attitude of her enemies who are so entirely opposed to peace makes it impossible for the world q. present to bring about :ae realization of these lofty ideals. Ger many and her allies were ready to ea- ter now into a discussion of peace and had set down as basis the guar anty of existence, honor and free 1e- velopmert of their peoples.
 Never Wanted Belgium. Their aims, as has been expressly stated ,n the note of December 12. 1916, were not directed toward the de- struction or annihilatiQn of their | enemies and were, according to their 1 conviction, perfectly com patible with l the rights of the other nations. As to Belgium, for which such warm and cordial sympathy is felt in 1 the United States, the chancellor had 1 declared only few weeks previously 1 that it's annexation had never formed 1 part cf Germany's intentions. The ] peace to be signed with Belgium was ] to provide for such conditions in ttat l country, with which Germany desires
 to maintain friendly neighborly 1ela- i tions, that Belgium should not be usei l again by Germany's enemies for the l purpose of instigating continuous hos l tile intrlgues.
 l Such precautionary measures are al! 1 the more necessary, as Germany s
 enemies have repeatedly stated, not 1 only in speeches delivered by their leading men, but also in the statutes
 of the economical conference in Paris, 1 that it is their intention not to treat l Germany as an equal even after peace l has been restored, but to continue their hostile attitude and especially 1 to wage a systematical economic war 1 against her.
 The attempt of the four allied pow ] CTS to bring about peace has failed, ! owing to the lust of conquest of their l enemies, who desired to dictate the 1 conditions of peace. Under the pre- l tence of following the principle of na- tionality our enemies have disclosed their real aims in this way, viz: Tc
 dismenlber and dishonor Germany Austria Hungary, Turkey and Bu,
 garia. To the wish of reconciliation ] they oppose the will of destruction
 They desire a fight to the bitter end. l A new situation has thus been created l which forces Germany to new deci
 sions. For two years and half Eng land has been using her naval powa