The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-02-01
WAR TO BITTER END
TO SAVE FA1HERlAND
CONTINUED from page onel

Continued from page onel
by a deep sentiment OF responsibility.
1t is highly gratifying TO the Imperial
government to ascertain that the mai1
tendencies OF this important staSa
ment correspond to the large desire
and principles expressed by Germany.
These principles include self-gov-
eminent and equality of rights for all
nations. Germany would be sincerely
glad if in recognition of this principle,
countries like Ireland and India
which do not enjoy the benefits OF po-
litical independencies. should now OBJ
tain their freedom.
E Repudiate Alliances I
"The German people also repudi4te
all alliances which serve to force the
countries into a competition for might
and to evolve them in a net OF selfish
intrigues. On the other hand Ger.
many will gladly cooperate in all ct.
forts to prevent future wars.
CAS- to Belgium. for which such
warm and cordial sympathy is felt
in the United States, the chancellor
had declared only few weeks previ-
ously that its annexation had never
formed part OF Germany's intention.
The peace to be signed with Belgium
was to provide for such conditions in
that country, with which Germany
desires to maintain friendly neighbor-
ly relations, that Belgium should not
be used again by Germany's enemies
for the purpose Of instigating continu-
Gus hostile intrigues. Such precan.
tionary measures are all the more nee
essary as Germany's enemies have re-
lpeatedly stated. not only in speeches
delivered by their leading men but
also in the statute of the economical
conference in London that it is their
intention not to treat Germany as an
equal. even after peace has been re-
stored. but to continue their hostile
attitude and especially to wage sys-
tematic economic war against her.
New Situation. ss.
"A new situation has thus been ere
ated, which forces Germany to new
decisions. Since two years and a halt
England is using her naval power
for a criminal attempt to force Ger.
many into submission by starvation.
In brutal contempt of international
law, the group of powers led by Eng
land, does not only curtail the legiti.
mate trade of their opponents, but
they also, by ruthless pressure, COM
pei neutral countries either to alto
gether forego every trade not agree
able to the Entente powers, or to limit
it according to their arbitrary DEGREES.
War Of Starvation.
"The English government. however,
insists on continuing its war of star
walton. which does not at all affect
the military power of it's opponent. but
compels women and children, the sick
and the aged, to suffer for their coun-
| try pains and privations, which en-
danger the vitality of the nation.
"The Imperial government could not
justify before its own conscience, be-
fore the German people and before
history the neglect of any means des.
tined to bring about the end Of the
war. Na
Sincerely trusting that the people
and government of the United States
will understand the motive for this
decision and its necessity the Imper-
ia1 government hopes that the United
States may view the new situation
from the lofty heights of impartiality
and insist on their part, to prevent
further misery and unavoidable sacri-
fee of human life.
Enclosing are two memoranda re-
garding the details of the contemplat-
ed military measures at sea.
Il remain, etc.
| (Signed)
81. Bernstorff."
Following is the annex referred to
in the German note:
From February l, 1917, within bar
red zones srctnd Great Britain
II - =