The state herald., 1917-02-09
TO SINK VESSELS
W|THNOW WARNING
GERMANY REvoKEs PLEDGES TO
v. 8. IN STRONG NOTE RE-
cEivEo At WARRINGTON.
RUTHLESS SEA WARFARE
ACTION TO FORCE PEACE NEoo
riArioNs IN SHORT TIME Is
THE rEuToNlc VIEW.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Washington.-Following is the note
Of the Imperial German Government
announcing Its decision to adopt pol
Icy of unrestricted naval warfare.
which was handed to Secretary Lans'
ing by Count Won Bernstorf:
Mr.. Secretary of state:-Your Excel.
lency was good enough to transmit TO
the Imperial government n copy of the
United States of America addressed 10
the Senate on the 22nd inst. The I'M
perlal government has given II the
earnest consideration which the Presi-
dents statements deserve, inspired us
they are by u deep sentiment OF re-
sponsibility. 1t Is highly gratifying to
the imperial government to ascertain
that the main tendencies of this I'm
to the desires and principles protested
by Germany. The principles especially
include self government and equality
would be sincerely glad II In recogni-
tion of this principle countries like Ire
land 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 coun..
tries into q competition for might and
to involve them In n net of selfish in
trigues. On the other hand, Germany
prevent |, ss future aH0Ss wars. The . fr.sdom Of Of
the seas. being a preliminary condi-
tion of the free existence Of nations
and the peaceful Intercourse between
them, as well a. 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-
al.a a A. - A.. Ia
who are so entirely opposed to peace.
makes II impossible for the world at
present to bring about the realization
of these lofty ideals. Germany and 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-
1916. were not directed toward the de-
struction or annihilation Of their ene--
mics 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 few weeks previously
that It's 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 Germany's enemies for the
| purpose OF instigating continuous hos
| tile intrigues. Such precautionary meas
| ures are all the more necessary, as
Germany's enemies have repeatedly
| stated. not only In speeches delivered
| by their leading men, but also In tho
| statutes of the economical conference
In Paris. that 1t is their intention not
| to treat Germany Rs an equal, even
after peace has been restored; but to
continue their hostile attitude and es-
pecially to wagc systematical eco
nomical 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-
| emies who desired to dictate the con-
| ditions Of peace. Under the pretenss
OF following the principle OF national
real aims In this way. viz; to dismem-
| ber and dishonor Germany, Austria
| Hungary. Turkey and bulgaria. To the
wish OF reconciliation they oppose the
to the bitter end. new situation thus
has been created which forces Germany
| to new decisions. Since two years and
= half ago England IL using her naval
power for n 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 curtatl the legitimate
by ruthless pressure compel neutral
| countries either to forego altogether
every trade not agreeable to the en-
tente powers or to limit It according to
| their arbitrary decrecs.
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 re-
spsct the freedom Of the seas. The
| English government. however. insists
upon continuing Its war OF starvation.
which does not Mt NIL affect the mill
psIs Women and shrsn *. Id ssk eS and
the aged. to suffer for their country.
pains and privntions which endanger
the vitality OF the nation, Thus Brit
suffering of the world, Indifferent 10
the laws of humanity. Indifferent to
| tho protests OF the neutrals. whom they
seversiy harm. indifferent even to tho
lands own allies, Each day Of tho ter.
rible struggle causes new destruction,
new sufferings. Each day shortepinE
the war Will, on both sides. presorve
the lives Of thousands of brave soldiers
| and be n benefit to mankind.
The imperial government could not
justify before It's own conscience. be-
or; 'ss h. D:Sp and s,iS,' h:
tined 20. bring about the end Of IN.
war. Like tho President OF the United
States. the imperial government had
hoped to reach thi. goal BY nsxotia.
an understanding with the entente
powers have been answered by the lat
ter with tho announcement OF an In
| tennified continuation OF the war. the
imperial government. In order 20 serve
| the welfare OF mankind In higher
| sense and not to wrong Its own peo-
| pie, H. now compelled to continue the
| fight for existence. again forced upon
Il. with tho full employment OF all the
weapons which are At It's disposal. - .
Enclosing two memoranda regarding
| the details OF the contemplated milf.