The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-02-07
ANNOUNCE RUTHLESS RESUMP-
TON OF SUBMARINE ACTIVI-
TIES AS NEW DECISION
FORCED ON THEM.
READY FOR COOPERATION
LOOKING TOWARD PEACE
Asserts EngIand's War Of Starvation
Is Responsible for New Move With
Intention Of Bringing Hasty
Ending Of War-FulI Text
of the Note.

OF the note.
Washington, Feb. 2.-Following is
dressed to Secretary Lansing and sign
ed by Count Won Bernstorff, announc-
ing the new German policy of unre-
stricted submarine warfare:
Mr.. Secretary Of State: Your excel
lency was good enough to transmit to
the Imperial government a copy of the
message which the President CT TIE
United States Of America addressed
to the Senate on the 22nd inst. The
imperial government has given it the
earnest consideration which the Presi-
dents statements deserve, inspired as
they are, by a deep sentiment of re-
sponsibility.
1t is highly gratifying to the Imperial
government to ascertain that the main
tendencies of this important statement
correspond largely to the desires and
principles professed by Germany.
These principles especially include
self-government and equality of 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 benefits
Of political independence, should now
obtain their freedom. The German
people also repudiate all alliances
which serve to force the countries into
a competition for might and to involve
them in a net of selfish intrigues.
Would Cooperate for Peace.
On the other hand, Germany will
gladly cooperate in all efforts to pre-
vent future war. The freedom of the
seas, being a preliminary condition Of
the free existence of nations and the
peaceful intercourse between them as
the open door for the commerce of all
nations, has always formed part of
the leading principles of Germany's po-
litical program.
All the more the Imperial govern
ment regrets that the attitude of her
enemies, who are SO entirely opposed
to peace, makes it impossible for the
world at present to bring about the re-
alization of these lofty ideals. Ger
many and her allies were ready to en-
ter now into a discussion of peace and
had set down as basis the guaranty
of existence, honor, and free develop.
ment of their peoples. Their aims,
as has been expressly stated in the
note of December u, 1916, were not
directed towards the destruction or an
Inhalation of their enemies, and were,
according to their conviction, perfect
ly compatible with the rights of the
other nations.
No Annexation Of Belgium.
AS to Belgium, for which such warm
and cordial sympathy is felt in the
United States, the chancellor had de-
clared only a few weeks previously
that its annexation had never formed
part of Germanys 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 rela-
tons, that Belgium should not be used
again by Germany's enemies for the
purpose OF instigating continuous hos
tile 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
economical conference in Paris, that
1t is their intention not to treat Ger
many as an equal, even after peace
has been restored, but to continue
their hostile attitude, and especially
to wage a systematical economical
war against her.
The attempt of the four allied DOW
ers to bring about peace has failed
owing to the lust of conquest of their
enemies, who desired 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 dis
member and dishonor Germany, Aus.
trfa-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. To
the wish Of reconciliation they oppose
the will of destruction. They desire
to fight to the bitter end.
Forces New Decision.
A new situation has thus been Gre
ated which forces Germany to new de-
cisions. Since two years and half
England is using her naval power for
a criminal attempt to force Germany
into submission by starvation In brut
al contempt Of international law the
group OF powers led by England does
not only curtail the legitimate trade OF
their opponents, but they also by ruth.
less pressure compel neutral countries
either to altogether forego every trade
not agreeable to the Allied Powers or