The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-01


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
should now obtain their freedom.
Alliances Repudiated.
The German people also repudiate
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 the COM
! merce of all nations, has always form
ed part Of the leading principles OF
Germany's political program. All the
more the imperial government regrets
that the attitude of her enemies who
| 1t impossible for the world at present
to bring about the realization of these
lofty ideals. Germany and her allies
were ready to enter now into dis
| cussion of peace and had set down as
base 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 towards the
enemies and were, according to their
conviction, perfectly compatible with
/ the rights Of the other nations.
AS to Belgium.
AS to Belgium, for which such warm
and cordial sympathy Is felt in the
United States, the chancellor had de-
cIared only few weeks previously
Ink &c hn1 FnV~ cd
part of Germany's intention. The peace
to be signed with Belgium was to pro-
vide for such conditions in that coun-
try, with which Germany desires to
maintain friendly neighborly rela-
lions, that Belgium should not be used
again by Germany's enemies for the
purpose of instigating continuous
hostile intrigues Such precautionary
measures are all the more necessary,
as Germany's 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 systematical
economical war against her.
The attempt of the four allied pow
ers to bring about peace has failed
owing to the lust of conquest of their
enemies, who desire to dictate the
conditions of peace. Under the pre-
tense Of following the principle of ma
tionality our enemies have disclosed
their real aims in this way. viz. to
Austria Hungary, Turkey and Bull
garia. To the wish of reconciliation
they oppose the will Of destruction.
They desire to fight to the bitter end.
Condemns British Blockade.
new situation has thus been Gre
ated which forces Germany TO new de-
csions. Since two years and a half
England is using her naval power for
criminal attempt to force Germany
into submission by starvation. In
brutal contempt of international law
the groups Of powers led by England
does not only curtail the legitimate
trade of their opponents, but they al
so by ruthless pressure compel neu-
trail countries either to altogether
forego every trade not agreeable to
the entente powers or to limit it &C
cording to their arbitrary DEGREES. The
American government knows the
steps which have been taken to cause
England and her allies t. return to
the rules of international law and to
respect the freedom of the seas. The
English government, however, insists
upon continuing it's war of starvation,
which does not at all affect the mil
itary power of it's opponents, but COM
pels women and children, the sick and
the aged, to suffer for their country
pains and privations which endanger
the vitality of the nation. Thus Brit
ish tyranny mercilessly increases the
sufferings Of the world, Indifferent to
the laws of humanity, Indifferent to
the protests of the neutrals whom
49, - fn6
to the silent longing for peace among
England's own allies. Each day Of
the terrible struggle causes new de-
struction, new sufferings. Each day
shortens the war will, on both sides,
preserve the life Of thousands Of
brave soldiers and be a benefit to
mankind.
justify before its own conscience, be"
fore the German people and before
history the neglect Of any means des-
tined to bring about the end of the
war; Like the president Of rhe United
States, the imperial government had
hoped to reach this goal by negotia-
tons. After the attempts to come to
an understanding with the entente
powers have been answered by the
latter with the announcement If an
intensified continuation of the war, the
imperial government, in order to
serve the welfare Of mankind in
higher sense and not to wrong its
own people, is now compelled to CON-
tinue the fight for existence, again
forced upon it, with the full employ
ment of all the weapons which are at
it's disposal.
Sincerely trusting that the people
and government of the United States
will understand the motives for this
decision and it's necessity. the imperial
government hopes that the United
States may view the new situation
from the lofty heights of impartial
ity and assist, on their part, to pre-
vent further misery and unavoidable
sacrifice of human life.
Enclosing two memoranda regard
ing the details Of the contemplated
military measures at sea, I remain,
etc.
(Signed) ]. Bernstorff.