The Ordway new era., 1917-02-09
TO SINK VESSELS
WITHNO WARNING
GERMANY REvokEs PLEDGES TO
". s. IN STRONG NOTE RE-
cEivEo AT WASHINGTON.
.RuTHLESSSEA WARFARE
ACTION TO FORCE PEACE NEoo
TIATioNS IN SHORT TIME is
THE TEUToNic VIEW.
western Newspaper Union New, Service

w.,,ru Newspaper Union News Service
Washington.-Follo is the note
OF the Imperial German GoYerhlheh'
announcing It's decision TO adopt po'
lev OF unrestricted naval warfare
which was handed to Secretary Lahs'
ing by Count Won Bernstorf:
Mr.. Secretary Of state.-Your Excel
lenCy was good enough to trahsil,'
the Imperial government copy OF the
message which the President OF the
United States Of America addressed 10
the Senate on the --ud inst ne I'M
perlal government has given II the
earnest confederation which the PTesl-
dents statements deserve, inspired as
they are BY a deep sentimeht o. q,
spOns bllity. II is highly sratllEtns ~
the imperial government to asSeF tam
tEat the main tendencies Of thls I'M
portant statement correspond IaFse4y
to the desires and principles pr0tes7e1u
by Germany. The principles espec!a!ly
include SELF government and eQlallty
OF rights for all nations. Germany
would be sincerely glad II in Teco NJ
tiuu Of this principle countries Ike Ire
land and India, which DO not enjoy the
benefits Of political Independence
should n, " obtain their freedom.
The German people also repudiate all
alliances which serve to force the coGh,
tries into = competition for might and
to involve them in net OF sclIlsh an
trigues. On the other hand. Germany
will gladly cooperate IN all efforts 10
prevent future wars. The freedom Ol
the seas. being a preliminary condl-
tion of the free existence of nations
and the peaceful intercourse between
them. as well as the open door for the
commerce of all nations, has always
formed part of the leading principles
Of Germany's political program All
the more the imperial government re-
grets 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 realization
Of these lofty Ideals. Germany ana her
allies were ready to enter now Into
discussion OF peace, and had set down
as basis the guaranty OF existence. hon
or and free development OF their peo-
pies. Their aims. as has been express
ly stated in the note Of December IL,
1916, were not directed toward the de-
struction or annihilation Of their ene--
niles and were according TO their con-
viction 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 de-
Clared 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 rela-
| tions, that Belgium should not be used
| again by Germanys enemies for thu
| purpose of instigating continuous hos
/ tile !ntrlgues, Such precautionary meas
| ures all the more necessary, as
! Germany'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 II is their intention not
| to treat Germany an equal even
| after peace has been restored; but to
continue their hostile attitude and es-
| pecially to wage systematical eco
! nomlcRl war against her.
The attempt of the four allied pow
ers to bring about peace has failed ow-
| ing to the lust OF conquest of their en-
| d!tions of peace. Under the pretense
| OF following the principle of national
| ity our enemies have disclosed their
real aims In this way. viz: to dismem-
| hungary. Turkey and Bulgaria To the
wish OF reconciliation they oppose the
win of destruction. They desire a fight
| 10 the bitter end. A new situation thus
has been created which forces Germany
TO new decisions. Since two years and
haif ago England is using her naval
| iermany 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 forego altogether
| every trade not agreeable to the en-
tehte powers or to limit it according to
their arbitrary decrees
| The American government knows IN.
| steps which have been taken to cause
| England and her allies to return to the
rules OF international law and to re-
| spect the freedom of the seas Ths
| Ehglsh government, however insists
upon 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 endangsr
| the vitality OF the nation. Thus Brit :
ish tyranny mercilessly increases the
suffering of the world, Indifferent 10
| the laws of humanity indifferent 10
the protests of the neutrals. whom they
tieaiy stisa, harm' indifferent even to the
Lands own allies. Each day of the ter
| rlple struggle causes new destruction
new sufferings. Each day shortening
ne ,t var VIII. on both sides, preserve
| ana De a benefit to mankind
me imperial government could not
iustity before Its own conscience he
toS tor1 'hs ne German = people. and before his
tined to bring about the end Of th.
var. Like the President of the United
states. the imperial government had
,p nopeo 70 reach this goal by negotia-
.iohs. After the attempts to come 70
an understanding with the entsnto
| powers nave been answered by thsInt
yer with the announcement Of an a.
imnsrieG continuation of the war, the
the welfare of mankind In bieh.e
sense ana not to wrong its own 1no.
PIE; Is now compelled 10 continne ~.
IL u,tb % th existence. . again forced upon
weapons which are at Its disposal
| ~ nIhsiosins two memoranda repardin1
the details of the contemplated ,,,Ii
measures at sea. remain. etc
>''s"eo': J. BERNsToRFF.