Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-07

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
dismember and dishonor Germany, Aus
tria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria.
TO the wish of reconciliation, they
oppose the viii of destruction. They
desire fight to the bitter end.
Criminal Abuse Of Power.
"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
criminal attempt to force Germany
into submission by starvation. In
brutal 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 ruthless pressure, compel neutral
countries either to altogether forego
every trade not agreeable to the en-
tente powers or TO limit it according
to their arbitrary DEGREES.
1.-The American government knows
the steps which have been taken to
cause England and her allies TO return
to the rules of international law and
to respect the freedom of the seas.
England for War of Starvation.
'"The English government, however,
insists upon continuing its war of star
walton, which does not at all affect the
military power or its opponents, but
compels women and children. the sick
and the aged, to suffer for their coun-
try pains and privations which endan-
ger the vitality of the nation. Thus
British tyranny mercilessly increases
the sufferings of the world, Indifferent
to the laws of humanity, indifferent to
the protests of the neutrals whom they
severely harm. Indifferent even to the
silent longing for peace among Eng
lands own allies.
Ready to. Negotiate for Peace.
Each day of the terrible struggle
causes new destruction, new suffer
ingS. Each day shortening the war
will, on both sides. preserve the life
of thousands of brave soldiers and be
benefit to mankind.
THE imperial government could not
justify before its 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.
Flight for Existence"
after the attempts to come to an
understanding with the entente powers
have been answered by the latter with
the announcement of an intensified
continuation of the war; the imperial
governmental order to serve the well
fare of mankind in 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 its necessity, the imperi-
al 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 sacri-
fee of human life.
Enclosing two memoranda regard
( - 4. 4
military measures at sea. remain,
etc.
(Signed) ~. BERNSTORFF."