Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-07
GERMANY WARNS
UNITED STATES Of
DRASTIC SEA WAR
Kaiser Orders Ruthless Subma-
rine Campaign.
SITUATION CALLED GRAVE
Copy Of Berlin Note Announcing Mer-
CHESS Methods Presented to WASH
ington Government by Am
bassador Bernstorff.

Washington. Feb. Count Won
Bernstorif, the German ambassador,
presented TO Secretary Lansing
note from the German government re-
plying to the presidents world peace
address before the senate. The am
bassador announced that the COM
munication was identical with the COM
municatiOn handed Ambassador Gerard
at Berlin.
Germans declaration of unrestrict-
ed naval warfare, assumed to mean
the sinking without warning of pas
senger and freight vessels-the course
which the United States in the Sussex
negotiations gave warning would cause
the American government TO sever
diplomatic RELATIONSHIPS received
here with the most profound sur
prise.
No Hint of Development.
There had been no official hint that
such development was coming.
President Wilson was in his office
when the text of the German note be-
gan coming in on the wires, and copies
were sent to him as received. He
would see no callers.
The decision as to what the course
of the American government shall be
lies with the president.
Prompt Action Expected.
Preliminary reading of the German
note by officials was followed by ex-
presslons which gave the impression
that the resulting situation was
viewed with extreme gravity. Prompt
action was expected.
Text of German Note.
mfr. Secretary of State:
Your excellency was good enough to
transmit to the imperial government a
copy of the message which the presi-
dent Of the United States of America
addressed to the senate on the 22nd
inst. The imperial government has
given 1t the earnest consideration
which the presidents statements de-
serve, inspired. as they are. by deep
sentiment of responsibility.
1T is highly gratifying to the i'm
perial government to ascertain that the
main tendencies of this important
statement correspond largely to the de-
sires and principles professed by Ger
many.
Freedom for india and ireland.
"These principles especially include
self-government and equality of rights
for all nations. Germany would be
sincerely glad if in recognition of this
~ fr,To
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
countries into a competition for might
intrigues.
ION the other hand, Germany will
gladly cooperate in all efforts to pre-
vent future wars. The freedom of the
seas, being a preliminary condition of
the free existence of nations and the
peaceful intercourse between them, as
well as the open door for the com
merce of all nations. has always formed
part OF the leading principles of Ger
many's political program.
Foes Obstruet Way to Peace.
"All the more the imperial govern
ment regrets that the attitude of her
enemies, who are so entirely opposed
to peace, makes 1t 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 guar
anty Of existence. honor and free de-
velopment Of their peoples.
Their aims, as has been expressly
stated In the note OF December u,
1916, were not directed toward the de-
struction or humiliation of their enc
mics and were, according to their con-
viction, perfectly compatible with the
rights of the other nations.
Denies Plan to Annex Belgium.
"As to Belgium, for which such warm
and cordial sympathy is felt In the
United States, the chancellor had de
clared only a few weeks previously
that its annexation had never formed
part Oh ueEEhduy > AlltuAtOHS.
1.-The peace to be signed with Bel
GUM was to provide for such condi-
lions in that country, with which Ger
many desires to maintain friendly
neighborly relations, that Belgium
should not be used again by Germany's
enemies for the purpose Of instigating
continuous hostile intrigues.
such precautionary measures are
all the more necessary. as Germany's
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 IL is their intention not TO treat
Germany as an equal, even after peace
has been restored, but to continue theiI
hostile attitude and especially TO wage
a systematical economical war asins'
her.
THE attempt of the four allied pow
ers to bring about peace has failed
>~N~~~~~~~~ON~~~~ ~~~~~~~~N"~|N~~~>~N~>
Much Fresh Air Is Needed.