New Britain herald., 1917-02-10
BRAZIL PROTESTS
 U-B0A7 BLOCKADE Informs Berlin Submarine Cam. paign Is Regarded As Illegal DUTY BOUND TO OBJECT

Assures Berlin of Country's Neutrality
 But Cannot Pass Over New Status
 Without Demand for Modification
 of Edict.
 Rio Janeiro, Feb. 10.-The note handed to the German secretary of foreign affairs by the Brazilian min- ister at Berlin in reply to Germany's declaration of the resumption of un- restricted submarine warfare was made public here today. Tie text is as follows:
 II have transmitted to my govern ment by telegraph your letter of Feb. 3, in which your excellency informed me of the resolution of the German Imperial government to blockade Great Britain, it's islands the littoral of France and Italy and the eastern Mediterranean by submarines which would commence operations on Feb. [. Your letter stated that the submarines would prevent all maritime traffic in the zones above mentioned abandon ing all restrictions observed up to the present in the employment of means for sea fighting and would use every military resource capable of the de- struction of ships.
 "The letter of your excellency says further that the German government having confidence that the govern ment of Brazil would appreciate the reasons for the methods of war which Germany was forced to take on ac- count of the actual circumstances, hope that Brazilian ships would be warned of the danger they ran if they navigated the interdicted zones, the same as passengers or merchandise on board any other ship of commerce, neutral or otherwise.
 Brazil Vigorously Neutral.
 T have just been directed to in- form your eXcellency that the federal government has the greatest desire not to see modified the actual situa- tion, as long as the war lasts, situa- tion in which Brazil has imposed upon itself the rigorous observance of the laws of neutrality since the com mencement of hostilities by the na- tions with whom she has had friendly relations. My government has always observed this neutrality while reserv- lHS lO ltScll IlS Il6HC W llCl DClOHSS to it and which it has always been accustomed to exercise, of action in those cases where Brazilian interests are at stake. The unexpected com- munication we have just received an nouncing a blockade of wide extent of countries with which Brazil is con- tinually in economic relations by for eign and Brazilian shipping, has pro- duced a justified and profound i'm pression through the imminent men ace which it contains of the unjust sacrifice of lives, the destruction of property and the wholesale disturb ance of commerce relations.
 Blockade Not Legal.
 "In such circumstances and while observing always and invariably the same principles, the Brazilian gov ernment, after having examined the tenor of the German note, declares that it cannot accept as legal the blockade which has just been sudden ly decreed by the imperial govern ment. Because of the means em- ployed to realize this blockade, the extent of the interdicted zones the absence of all restrictions, including the failure of warning for even neu- lfdl HenaCed Sn1pS ana the announced intention of using every military means of destruction of no mat ter what character, such block ade could neither be regular nor eff fective, and would be contrary to the principles of law and the conventional rules established for military opera tions of this nature
 'FOr these reasons the Brazilian government in spite of its sincere and keen desire to avoid any disagreement with the nations at war, with whom it is on friendly terms, believes it to be it's duty to protest against this blockade and consequently to leave entirely with the imperial German government the responsibility for all acts which will involve Brazilian citi- zens. merchandise or ships and which are proven to have been committed in disregard of the recognized prin- ciple of international law and of the conventions signed by Brazil and Germany