The midland journal., 1917-02-09

Zen0 Against Taking Passage Or
confidIne Goods To Ships Destined
For the Allied Ports.
Berlin (by wireless to Sayville).-
The German Government announced
its decision to adopt policy Of unre-
served naval warfare. to take effect
/ February /.
An official statement issued by the
German Government announces that
neutral ships plying within certain
new barred zones" will do so at their
own risk. Precautions will be taken
to protect neutral ships which sailed
for these zones prior to February I.
The new order amounts practically
to an absolute prescription Of shipping
to or from ports of the Entente
nations. A clause in the decree pro-
vides that, under certain restrictions,
one vessel week shall be allowed
to pass between the United States and
England.
Neutrals are urgently advised to
, , warn their vessels on the way to ports
| In the barred zones and direct them
away from these areas. Neutral ships
in port within barred zones will be
given until February s to sail, and
must take the shortest route out Of
the restricted areas.
Notification Of this new submarine
warfare is given and the barred
zones" are defined in an annex to a
note to the United States Government,
referring to President Wilson's recent
address to the Senate, which the Ger
man Government has transmitted to
Washington.
Text Of German Note.
| The note which was handed to
James w. Gerard, the American Am
sassador, reads:
"Your Excellency had the kindness
TO communicate on the 22nd of this
month the message which the Presi-
dent of the United States on the same
lay addressed to the American Sen
ate. The Imperial Government took
knowledge Of the contents of the mes
sage with that earnest attention which
Is becoming to the explanations Of the
President, inspired by his sense OF re-
| sponsibility.
"It affords her great satisfaction to
state that the general lines of this re-
markable manifestation in the widest
sense agree with the principles and
wishes Of Germany and her allies. To
these belong in the first place the right
Of self-government and the equal rights
of all nations. Recognizing this prin-
ciple, Germany would gladly welcome
It il nations like Ireland aud India,
which do not enjoy the blessings of an
independent state, should now obtain
liberty"
Would Prevent Future Wars.
Alliances which drive nations into
competition for hegemony and incline
them towards any selfish intrigues are
likewise refused by the German peo-
pie. On the other hand, it is enthu-
siastic for cooperation in all endeavors
which aim at the prevention of future
wars. The freedom of the seas as a
preliminary condition for free and
peaceful intercourse between nations,
as well as the open door for trade,
always have been guiding principles
of German policy.
"The Imperial Government all the
more regrets that the attitude Of the
adversaries, being hostile to peace,
makes it impossible for the world at
present to work out the situation along
these lines. Germany and her allies
~ into
tiations and had indicated guarantee
of existence, honor and liberty as
basis. Their plans were for evolution,
as was expressly stated in the note OF
December IL, 1916, and were not aimed
at the destruction or annihilation OF
their adversaries, and in their convic-
ton were compatible with the rights
Of other nations. AS to Belgium, which
is the subject of warm-hearted sym
pathy in the United States, the Chan
cellor a few weeks beforehand an
nounced that the annexation OF Bel
gium had never formed part OF Ger
many's intentions.
Germany in the peace to be con-
cluded with Belgium merely wanted to
take precautionary measures so that
that country, with which the Imperial
Government wishes to live in good,
neighborly relations, could not be ex-
plotted by adversaries for the promo
ton of hostile attempts. Such a pre-
caution Is all the more urgently need
ed, since hostile persons in power in
repeated speeches, and especially in
the resolutions of the Paris economic
conference, declared their unveiled in
tention, even after the restoration of
peace (not?) to recognize Germany as
of equal right, but rather continue to
fight in systematic fashion
Says Allies Have Forced Move.
-The attempt of the four Allied
Powers to bring about peace failed on
account of the lust for conquest of