The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1917-02-08
GERARD ORDERED HoME-BERNsToRFF GETS HIS PASSPORTS
JOINT SESSION HEARS PRESIDENT
CONCERTED ACTION.
MIss0URrs TROOPS ARE READY
STATE LEGISLATURES RESOLUTIONS ENDORSING THEl
PRESIDENT WILSON,

fine the operations of war for tn
rest OF its duration to the fight
ing forces of the belligerents
thereby also insuring the freedom
of the seas, principle upol
which the German Government
believes now, as before, to be il
agreement with the Government,
of the United States.
" THE German Government
guided by this idea, notifies the
Government of the~United States
that the German naval forces
have received the following or.
ders: In accordance with the
general principles of visit and
search and destruction of merch.
ant vessels recognized by inter.
national law. such vessels, both
within and without the area de-
clared a naval war zone, shall not
be sunk without warning and
without saving human lives, un-
less these ships attempt to escape
or offer resistance.
But it added, neutrals
can't expect that Germany, forced
to fight for her existence, shall
for the sake of q neutral interest,
restrict the use Of an effective
weapon if her enemy is per-
mitted to continue to apply
at will methods of warfare
violating the rules of interna-
tional law. Such demand
would be incompatible with the
character of neutrality, and the
German Government is convinced
that the Government of the Unit
ed States does not think of max
ing such a demand, knowing that
the Government of the United
States has repeatedly declared
that it is determined to restore
the principles of the freedom of
the seas, from whatever quarter
it has been violated.
To this the Government of the
United States replied, on May s,
accepting, of course, the assurance
given, but adding:
"Thc Government of the Unit
ed States feels it necessary to
state that it takes it for granted
hat the Imperial German Govern
nent does not intend to imply
hat the maintenance of it's new
y announced policy is in any way
contingent upon the course or re-
'ult Of diplomatic negotiations
between the Government of the
United States and any other bel
igerent Government, notwith-
the fact that certain
passages in the Imperial Govern
nent's note of the 4th inst. might
Ippear to be susceptible to that
obstruction. In order, however, +
o avoid any misunderstanding,
he Government of the United
'tates notifies the Imperial Gov
rnment that it cannot for a mo-
1cnt entertain, much less discuss,
suggestion that respect by Ger
ian naval authorities for the
lights of citizens of the United
tates upon the high seas should
1 any or in the slightest degree
e made contingent upon the con-
uct of any other Government,
ffecting the rights of neutrals
nd nOncombatants. Response
ility in such matters is single,
OF joint, absolute, not relative.
To this note of May 8 the I'm l
erial German Government made {
D reply. s
On January 81, the. Wednesday {
; the present week, the German i
AMBASSADOR handed too the Sec
'tary of State, along with a for j
al note, a memorandum which j
'ntained the following state i
ent: Q
"The Imperial Government, s
erefore, does not doubt that the b
of the United States a
III understand the situation n