Arizona republican., 1917-02-01
TIE N0TE

which serve to force the countries into a competition for might and to Involve them in a net of selfish intrigues. On the other hand Germany will gladly cooperate in all efforts to prevent fu- ture wars. The freedom of the seas. being a preliminary condition of the free access of nations and the peaceful
 intercourse between them, as well as the open door for the commerce of all nations, has always formed part of the leading principles of Germanys poli- tical program. All the more the i'm perial government regrets that the at rltude of her enemies. who are so en- tifely opposed to peace, makes 1t im
 possible for the world at present to bring about the realization of these lofty ideals. Germany and her allies were ready to enter now into a dis
 cussion of peace and had set down as basis the guaranty of existence, hon
 or and free development of their peo- ples. Their aims, as has been expressly stated in the note of December F, 1916, Were not directed towards the destruc- ton or annihi' ltion of their enemies and were, according to their conviction
 perfectly compatible with the rights
 of the other nations. As to Belgium for which such warm and cordial sym pathy is felt in the United States, the chancellor had declared only a few
 weeks previously that its annexation
 had never formed part of Germany's s intentions. The pe,.ce to be signeo i with Belgium was to provide for such conditions in that country, with whicf Germany desires to maintain friendly neighborly relations, that Belgium should not be used again by Germany s aiaes he f,fi tferat | no continuous hostile intrigues. Such 1 precautionary measures are all the more necessary as Germanys enemies have repeatedly stated not only in | speeches delivered by their leading ! men. but also in the statutes of the | economical conference in Paris, that j. l is their intention not to treat Germapg as an equal even after peace has beel. restored but to continue their hostil, attitude and especially to wage a sys- | tematical economical war against he, 'The attempt of the four allied pow ] CTS to bring about peace has failet 1 owing to the lust of conquest of thei | enemies. who desired to dictate the
 conditions of peace. Under the pre- ! tense of following the principle of na- tionality our enemies have disclosed their real aim in this way, viz; tc 1 dismember and disnonor Germany ! Austria Hungary, Turkey and Bulga ' ria To the wish of reconciliation they . oppose the will or destruction. They 1 desire a fight to sthe bitter end.
 "A new situation thus has been cre-
 ated which forces Germany to new de ctsions. Since two years and a hal1 1 England is using her naval power fol
 a criminal attempt to force Germany into submission by starvation. In bru- , 1al contempt of international law, ths
 group of powers led by England doe!
 not only curtail the legitimate trad'
 of their opponents, but they also, by | ruthless pressure compel neutral coun- ! tries either to forego altogether every
 trade not agreeable to the entente ! p1Wers or to limit it according to theil
 arbitrary decrees The American gov ernment knows the steps which have
 allies to rdUlrn to the rules @ of inter,
 national law and to respect the free i dom of the seas. The English gov. II eT1menl, however, insists upon con
 linuinP it's war of starvation, whic
 does not at all effect the military pow CT of it's opponents but compels womei
 and children, the sick and the aged t l suffer for their country, pains ant pIivatiOns which endanger the vitalit,
 or the ndllOn mus BrltlSn tyTdnn, ' mercilessly increasing the suffering o the world, indifferent to the laws o . humanity, indifferent. 10 tLe protest
 of the neutrals whom they severel. f harm, indifferent even to the silen , longing for peace among England own allies. Each day of the terribl
 struggle causes new destruction, neN
 sufferings. Each day shortening tn
 war will, on both sides, preserve tn
 life of thousands of brave soldiers am E be benefit to mankind.
 The imperial government could no . justify before it's own conscience, be r fore the German people, and befor ll history the neglect of any means de