The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-02-09
TO SINK VESSELS
wITAN0 WARNING
oeRMANv REvokEs PLEDGES TO
Y. S. IN STRONG NOTE RE-
cEivEo AT WASHINGTON.
RUTHLESSSEAw WARFARE
ACTION TO FORCE PEACE NEeo
TIATIoNs mi SHORT TIME 10
THE TEUroNic VIEW.


Western Newspaper Union News Service.
OF the Imperial German Government
announcing its decision to adopt a pol
ICY OF unrestricted naval warfare.
which was handed to Secretary Lans-
ing by Count Won Bernstorf:
Mr.. Secretary of state:-Your Excel
!sncy was good enough to transmit to
the imperial government a copy of the
message which the President OF the
United States OF America addressed to
the Senate on the 22nd inst. The inn
perial government has given IT the
earnest consideration which the Presi-
ueht 3 statements deserve, inspired rs
they are by a deep sentiment Of re-
spoons! bllity. 1t Is highly gratifying to
the imperial government to ascertain
thai the main tendencies OF this i'm
portant statement, correspond largely
90 the desires and principles professed
by Germany. The principles especially
include SELF government and equality
woula be- si nor a g nations in
ton of this principle countries like Ire
land and India, which do not enjoy the
benefits of political Independence,
| should now obtain their freedom.
The German people also repudiate all
alliances which serve to force the coun-
tries into competition for might and
20 involve them in a net of selfish In
trigues. on the other hand. Germany
VIII gladly cooperate In all efforts to
prevent future wars. The freedom OF
the seas. being preliminary condi-
and the peaceful intercourse between
| them. as well 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 government re-
grets that the attitude of her enemies.
makes it impossibie for the world ut
present to bring about the realization
OF these lofty ideals. Germany and her
allies were ready to enter now into
discussion Of peace. and had set down
a. basis the guaranty of existence. hon.
or and free development OF their peo-
pies Their aims. as has been express-
~ stated In the note OF December IL,
1916. were not directed toward the de-
struction or annlhilation of their ene--
mics and were according to their con-
viction perfectly compatible with the
rights OF other nations.
As to Belgium, for which such warm
and cordial sympathy ts felt In the
United States, the chancellor had de-
that its annexation had never formed
part of Germany's intentions. Tho
peace to be signed with Belgium was
country, with which Germany desires
TO maintain friendly, neighborly rela-
lions. that Belgium should not be used
again by Germany's enemies for the
purp pose of instiga ting continuous hos
tile intrigues. such precautionary meas
ures 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 1t is their intention not
to treat Germany as an equal even
after peace has been restored; but to
continue their hostile attitude and es-
pecially to wage a systematical eco.
nomical war against her.
The attempt of the four allied pow
ers to bring about peace has failed ow-
ing 10 the lust of conquest Of their en-
ssm,9iies. who desired to dictate the con-
Of following the principle of national-.
ity our enemies have disclosed their
real aims In this way. viz: to dismem-
Der and dishonor Germany. Austria
Hungary. Turkey and Bulgaria. To the
wish Of reconciliation they oppose the
will Of destruction. They desire fight
has been created which forces Germany
to new decisions. Since two years and
half ago England is using her naval
power for a criminal attempt to force
Germany into submission by starvation.
In brutal contempt Of International law
the group of powers led by England
trade Of their opponents. but they also
by ruthless pressure compel neutral
countries either to forego altogether
every trade not agreeable to the en-
their arbitrary DEGREES.
The American government knows the
steph winch nave Deen taken To cause
England and her allies to return to the
| rules OF international law and to re-
spect the freedom of the seas. The
English government, however. insists
upon continuing Its war of starvation,
which does not at all affect the milf
tary power of Its opponents, but COM
psls 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
.uffering of the world, Indifferent to
the protests of the neutrals, whom they
severaly harm. Indifferent even to the
silent longing for peace among Eng
lands own allies. Each day Of the ter
new sufferings. Each day shortening
the war will, on both sides, preserve
the lives of thousands Of brave soldiers
and be a benefit to mankind.
The imperial government could not
Justify before its own conscience. be-
tory. the neglect Of any means des-
tined to bring about the end of the
war. Like the President OF the United
States. the Imperial government had
tons. After the attempts to come to
an understanding with the entente
powers have been answered by the lat
ter with the announcement OF an in
tensified continuation Of the war. the
imperial government. in order to serve
sense and not to wrong its own peo-
pie. Ii now compelled to continue the
Tight FOR existence, again forced upon
1t. with the full employment of all the
Enclosing two memoranda regarding
the details of the contemplated mill
tary measures at sea, remain, etc.
(Signed): J. BERNSTORFF.