The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-01
|GRnN MtY CORDIAL
Bernstorff Explains Why
Central Powers Must
Continue Warfare.
Continued From Page one.)

4
OF the leading principles Of Germany's
political program. All the more the i'm
perial government regrets that the at
titude OF her enemies. who are SO en- :
tirely opposed to peace, makes 1t i'm
possible for the world at present to
bring about the realization Of these
| lofty ideals.
Germany and her allies were ready to
enter now into discussion OF peace
ana had set down as basis the c,,ar-
| anty Of existence, honor and FREQ de-
velopment of their people. Their aims.
az has been expressly stated in the
note Of December II. 1916. were not
directed towards the destruction or
humiliation Of their enemies and were.
according to their conviction, perfectly
compatible with the rights of other
nations. As to Belgium, for which such
warm and cordial sympathy is felt in
the United States. the chancellor had
declared only a few weeks previously
that its annexation had never formed
part of Germany's intentions. 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
by Germany's enemies for. the purpose
Of instigating continuous hostile in
trigues. Such precautionary measures
are all the more necessary, as Ger
many'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. hut to continue their
hostile attitude and especially to wage
a systernatical economical war against
her.
Peaceful Efforts Fail.
The attempt of the four allied powers
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 pretense of follow
ing the principle Of nationality our
enemies have disclosed their real aims
in this way. viz. to dismember and dis
honor Germany. Austria Hungary,
Turkey and Bulgaria. To the wish of
reconciliation they oppose the will of
destruction. They. desire to fight to
the bitter end.
A new situation has thus been Great
ed which forces Germany to new de-
cisions. Since two years and a half
England Is using her naval power for
criminal attempt 10 force Germany
into submission. In brutal contempt of
International law. ,thA group OF powers
led by England does not only curtail
the legitimate trade of their opponents
but they also by ruthless pressure COM
pei neutral countries either to alto
gether forego every. trade not agree
able to the entente powers or to limit
1t according to their arbitrary DEGREES.
The American government knows the
steps which have been taken to cause
England and her allies to return to
the rule of international law and to re-
spect the freedom Of the seas. The En-
glish government, however, insists up
on continuing its war of starvation,
which does not at all affect the mill
tary power OF Its 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 British tyranny mercilessly in
creases the sufferings of the world, in
different to the laws OF humanity, in
different to the protests Of the neutrals,
whom they severely harm, Indifferent
even 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
| shortening the war will, on both sides,
preserve the life OF thousands Of brave
soldiers and be a benefit to mankind.
The imperial government could not
justify before it's own conscience, be-
fore the German people and before his
tory the neglect Of any means destined
| to bring about the end of the war. Like
the president Of the United States, the
imperial government had hoped to
reach this goal by negotiations. After
the attempts to come to an UNDER
standing with the entente powers have
been answered by the latter with the
announcement of an intensified con-
ttnuation OF the war. the imperial
government-in order to serve the
welfare OF mankind in q higher sense,
and not to wrong its own people. is
now compelled to continue the fight
for existence, again forced upon it,
with the full employment of all the
weapons which are at its disposal.
| Sincerely trusting that the people
and government of the United States
will understand the motives for this
decision and It's necessity. the impc-
rial government hopes that the United
States may view the new situation
from the lofty heights OF impartiality
and assist. on their part, to prevent
further misery and unavoidable sac
rifice Of human life.
Enclosing two memoranda regarding
the details OF the contemplated meas.