The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-23

Confronted by ersver troubles with
~ Germany than those from the out
side the chancellor went to great
headquarters tc report TO the kaiser
and to discuss with Won ,Hindenburg
and JhIdendorf what should be done
To unite the German nation,
while the army had been successful
IN Rumania and had given the people
renewed confidence. this was not great
enough TO carry the people through
another hard winter,
While Germany had made promises
TO tie United states in May that no
ships would be sunk without warn
ing. The submarines were not adher-
ifc vrrN closely to- the written instruc-
lions. The whole world was aroused
over GermsuYs repeated disregard of
the rules and practice OF sea warfare.
President Wilson through Ambassa-
dor Gerard. had sent nine inquiries
to the foreign office asking for re-
port from Germany on the sinking OF
various ships not only contrary TO in
ternatiohal Law. but contrary TO Ger
uanys pledges In an attempt TO
ward off any OF the neutral indict
ments Of Germany's sea warfare the
official North German Gazette pub
lished an explanation containing the
following:
AN OFFICIAL r-ROAT
ANNOUNCEMENT
The activity of the submarines In
tho Atlantic ocean and White sea has
led the press of the entire world to
producing articles as to the waging
OF cruiser warfare by means Of cub
marines. In both cases II can he
accurately stated that there is no
ID.
bat Of cruiser warfare wagsd with
the support OF submarines. and the
details reported hitherto as to the ac~-
tivities Of our submarines do not ed
NIT Of any other explanation. In spite
OF the endeavors Of the british press
to twist and rusrepresent facts. II
is aieo strictly correct to state that
the cruiser warfare which is being
wdRed by means OF submarines is In
strict compliance with the German
prize regulations. which correspond
10 the international rules laid down
and agreed to In the Declaration OF
London. which are not being any
more complied with nv England the
accusations and charges brought for
ward by the British press and propa-
ganda campaign In correction with
ships sunk can be shown as futile,
az our position Ia. both Ynilitarily and
from the standpoint of international
law, frteproa chabie. We do not sink
neutral ships per Sc, as was recently
declared in = proclamation, but the
ammunition transports and other con-
trahand wares conducive to the pro-
lonRation Of the war. and the rights
OF defensive measures as regards this
cannot be denied Germany any more
than any other country.
5a n - 81 ~. oh
vious that the real loss of the destruc-
ton of tonnage must be attributed to
the supplies sent to England and not
IN the attitude displayed ev Germany,
which has but recourse to purely de-
fensive measures. II tho attitude dis
played by England toward nsutrais
during the course OF this war be con-
sideyed the manner in which 1t forced
com pulsory supplies of contraband
goods etc, 1t can be further recog-
nized that England Is reSponsible for
the losses In ships. as II is owing TO
England's attitude that the cause 10
TO he found ."
Although England has ht and
crippled legitimate trade to such an
extent Germany does not wish to act
in the same manner, hut simply to
stop the shipments of contraband
goods calculated to langthen the war.
England evidently lis being hard hit
by our defensive submarine measures
and Is therefore. doing all In her
power 10 incite public opinion against
tho German methods OF warfare and
confuse opinion in neutral countries,
Therefore II rnust afain be recalled
that il is:
England which he's crippled neu-
trail trade
England which has rendered the
freedom OF the seas impossible!
England which has extended the
risk Of contraband wares in excess of
International Agreements. and now
raises cry when the same weapons
are used against herself
England which has compelled the
neutrals TO supply, these shipments OF
contreband goods calculated TO length
en- the war
AZ the neutrals quietly acquiesced
when there waa a question of aban-
donAng trade with the central powers.
they have remedies In hand FOR the
losses OF ships which affect them SO
deeply. They need only consider the
fact that German submarines on the
high seas are able to prevent war
services 10 the enemy ia the ship
nents OF contra band goods in = man
ner that is both rnilitsrily and from
the standpoint OF international law
ire proachs bic. ! [ they agree to de-
u