The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-01
BREAK With GERMANY
Continued from First Page.)

! u
most important part in its formula.
ton.
It is expected that ttuStra-Hungary
will take action similar TO that of Ger
many with regard To operations OF lis
submarines in the Mediterranean.
Every public in1imation from Ger
many in the last few months has been
! that. an unrestricted submarine war
fare. almost certain TO bring in the
i United States. would be- adopted only
las Il last act Of desperation. German
papers have said Germany would not
dare oppose neutral opinion unless
she were willing to have the rest of
1.-The neutral world added 10 her
enemies.
Two opposing views of American
hostility have been allowed TO pass
the German censor. The first was
that the harm the United States could
do Germany as an active enemy WIS
no greater than as a neutral supplying
munitions and loans 10 The allies and
that the Gripping of allied shipping
would be the turning point of the war.
This apparently is tho view now
adopted. The other view, known 10
have been held by some officials here.
was that Germany might in dcSpera.
,tion seek 10 involve the United States
as an actual enemy on III" ground
that her influence at the peace con-
ference would be generous one.
Officials Stunned.
Officials here stunned al the dense
ness of the German action, 90 not heSl'
tate to conceal their disQuietude over
the mental unpreparCdneSS OF the
American public for what may be com
ing. The recent flood Of peace dis
cussion. started by the German oHer;
increased by the Presidents note, and
again by the Entente Eepiy. are
thought 10 have turned public opinion
in this country entirely away from the
possibility of war. and 10 have focused
attention on the terms Of a near.peace
A revulsion Is expected 10 take place
in the Entente countries. with the re-
suit that the world war will enter
period Of frightfulness unimagineh
heretofore. With the message Tor
huge offensiveS by land and the an
nouncement Of ruthlessneSS by sea. Of
fcials look forward to at least spring
and summer Of unprecedented slaugh-
ter ~
The German note sweeps away all
the issues that have previously loomed
so large. such as what armament
merchant ship can carry, where ~
must be located. how 1t may be USED
whether the ship is chartered requlSl-
toned. or still private. ana replaces
them with one clear issue "nlcn Cali
not be brooked or ignored.
Text Of Note
THE complete text Of the notes Is as
follows:
Slr. Secretary Of State:
Your cyccllcncy were good enough 10
transmit to the Imperial government "
renT of the United States of AmGoicH
addressed TO tho Senate on the --hu.
instant The Imperial government mas
given il the earnest consideration WIFI
hn Presidents statements dtserEr' IN
snircd as they are, by deep sentiment
or responsibility. II is Highly CRAFTY
Ing 70 the Imperial government TO aScer-
min that the main tendencies or TINS I'M
purtant statement correspond iareciS ~,
the desires and principles pr"lcSseu ~
G., rmany Those principles cSpcclallE
include self-Eovernmcnt and cQualt! ~
, rights for all nations. Germany "ouIr
he sincerely glad If in recognition OF
this principal countries like lrclatS anu
Irdia which do not enjoy the dement's
of political independence. should now
nh,nin their freedom. The German peo-
pie also repudiato all alliances "hlch
serve to force the countries into com
f, ~ tition for might and 10 cnSolFe lhGIt'
il Il not of selfish intrigucS. IN tne
MO in all efforts 10 prevent future wars.
Th, freedom Of tho seas. being prellTn.
mary condition OF the Tree existence VI
nations and the peaceful intercourse pc
tween them. as well as Ene open ~ ~
for tho commerce Of all nations, has al
WAYS formed part Of the leading prlh-
ripies OF Gcrmany'S political program.
All the more the Imperial government
regrets that tho attitude OF her enemies
who are so entirely opposed to peace
a. n,nISSihla for the wOrlQ At
present to bring about the realization OF
these lofty ideals. Germany ana hcr al
lies were ready to enter now INTO us
russion of peace and had set down as
basis the guaranty or existence. the
honor and free development OF their
pruplc Their aims as has been cS-
rrrSsIy stated in tho note or Deem per
10 1915 were not directed towards inc
destruction or humiliation OF their en-
enirs and were according to their CON
victiun perfectly compatible with tho
rights OF the other nations.
AS to Belgium
As to belgium for which SUCH warm
and cordial sympathy is felt in the
United States. the Chancellor had de-
rlared only few weeks previously that
its annexation had never formed part
Of Germany's intentions. The peace 70
be signed with Belgium was 10 proviIS
for such conditions In that country. with
which Germany desires TO maintain
friendly ncighborly relations. that ltfl-
GUM should not be used again ny Ger
many's enemies for the purpose OF IN
stiyatinE continuous hostile intrlgucs'
Such precautionary measures are MI me
more necessary. as Gcrmanys enemies
havo repeatedly stated not only IN
speeches delivered by their leading men.
| but also in the statutes or the cGohIit'-
cal conference In Paris. that il Is their
intention not to treat Germany as an
equal. even after peace has been re-
stored but 10 continue their hostile at
titude and especially to wage sys-
tematic economical war against hcr.
The attempt of the four allied powers
TO bring about peace has failed owing
to the lust of conquest OF their enemies:
who desired TO dictate the conditions Oh
neace. Under the pretnnco of following
The principle Of nationality our enem-
les have disclosed their real aims in this
way, viz, TO dismembcr and dishonor
Germany, hustria-Hunsary. Turkey and
Bulgaria To the wish Of reconciliation alton
they oppose the will Of destruction. They
desire a fight TO the bitter end.
Forces New Decisions.
a new situation has thus been created
which forces Germany to new decisions.
Since two years and half Eng lana Is
using her naval power for n criminal at
tempt TO force Germany into submission
nv starvation. In brutal contempt for
International law. the group OF powers
led by England does not only curtail
, tho legitimate trade Of their opponents
! but they also Dy TulnleSS pEeSSulc CUM
| mel neutral countries either TO nlto-
gethcr forcgo every trade not agreeable
! ~ the Entente powers or TO limit 1t &C
| ccrding TO their arbitrary DEGREES. 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 respect the
| freedom Of the seas. The English gov
eminent, however. insists Upon Gnntinu-
| ing its war of starvation. which dots
not at all affect tho military power OF
| its opponents. but compeis women and
children. the sick and tho aged TO suffer.
for their country, pains and privat!ons
! which nndanger the vitality of the na-