Middletown transcript., 1917-02-10
GERMANY DECLARES
RUTHLESS SEA WAR
Gives Notice to Sink Ships
Without Warning.
TO sTARvE THE ALLIE S
United States Is Notified TO Warn
American Ships Against Entering
Barred Zones and To Warn It's Citi-
xens Against Taking Passage Or
confiding Goods To Ships Destined
For the Allied Ports.

xens Against Taking Passage Or
confidins Goods To Ships Destined
For the Allied Ports.
Berlin tby wireless to Sayv3lie>.-
The German Government announced
It's decision 20 adopt n 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" viii do SO at their
own risk. Precautions will be taken
to protect neutral ships which sailed
for these zones prior to February /.
The new order amounts practically
to al absolute prescription OF shipping
to or from ports Of the Entente
nations. A clause in the decree pro-
yides that, under certain restrictions,
one vessel q week shall be allowed
to pass between the United States and
England.
Neutrals are urgently advised to
warn their vessels Oh the way 10 ports
in the barred zones and direct them
away from these areas. Neutral ships
in port within barred zones will be
given until February 5 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
bassador, 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
day 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.
ut 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. 10
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 if nations like Ireland and 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
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.
"rhe Imperial Government all the
| more regrets that the attitude OF the
adversaries, being hostile to peace
makes It impossible for the world a
present to work out the situation along
these lines. Germany and her allie!
| were ready to enter into peace nego
tiations and had indicated guarantee
| of existence, honor and liberty as
basis Their plans were for evolution
as was expressly stated in the note O
December 12, 1916, and were not aimee
| at the destruction or annihllatfon O
| their adversaries, and in their convic
| tion were compatible with the right;
| OF other nations. Az to Belgium, which
is the subject of warm hearted sym
pathy In the United States, the Chan
cellor q 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 II
take precautionary measures so tha
that country, with which the lmperla
Government wishes to live in good
neighborly relations, could not be ez
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 il
repeated speeches, and especially il
the resolutions of the Paris economi
conference, declared their unveiled In
tention, even after the restoration 0
peace (not?) to recognize Germany a
of equal right, but rather continue t
fight in systematic fashion.
SAYS Allies Have Forced Move.
THE attempt Of the four Allie
Powers to bring about peace failed o.
account Of the lust for conquest o
their adyersaries who (do not? wan
peace. Under the pretext Of the prin
ciple Of nationalities they unveiled a
their war aims opposition to and dis
honor for Germany. Austria-Hungary
Turkey and Bulgaria. To our desir