GERMANY'S REPLY TO AMERICA'S NOTE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 5

GERMANY'S REPLY TO AMERICA'S NOTE

WHINE ABOUT TPE BLOCKADE PRESIDENT WILSON ACCEPT GERMAN CONDITIONS — V By Telcsraph-Press Assoc^ation-OopyrlEht Washington, May 5. Germany repudiates the suggestion thafc she has in any way violated international law by using submarines. The tNote takes exception to the American statement that Germany indiscrim inatUly destroyed neutral vessels during the past year, and professes that every consideration was shown to neutral vessels except within the war zone around it-he British Isles, where neutral vessels carrying enemy freight wero en countered. Germany, the Note continues, made many offers to the' United States to prevent American passengers travelling on •enemy ships, but the United States refused to accept the suggestions:'therefore,, the United States itself cannot escape responsibility. Germany, however, renews this offer. Germany cannot dispense with submarin e> warfare, as Great Britain is breaking international law in a wholesale fashion by starving .women and children.

Germany was anxious to confine the war ijurely to the belligerent forces, but Great Britain extended it to worn en and ichildren, and in self-defence Germany was obliged to resort to submarines. Germany offers, furthermore, to order heri submarine commanders not to sink any ships anywhere unless after due warming and.safeguarding the crews, the only exception being if ships attempt to escape or offer resistance. This offer, however, is conditional on the United States eo-operating with Germany to restore the freedom of the seas, as the United States has suggested previously in Notes to the British Government. If ;the United States fails to do this, Germany wall hold herself free to deal with'tthe situation thus arising with complete freedom of action. . \ . Germany nevertheless hopes that America tq ill consider the new orders to submarines as satisfactory, and reciprocate by insisting on Britain to observe humanity. If America fails to attain this, Germiany will be faced with a new situation, involving complete liberty of decision, land! concludes "Germany is resolved to go to the limit of concessions in view of the great doom threatening the' world if this cruel and sanguin dry war is Cabinet is considering the iinofficia 1 text of the Note, and it is understood that no hasty action will be taken. ! ' [In America's rely to Germany's Note of July |9, 1915, the paint raised by Germany as regards the blockade wtis fully dealt with. America's Teply was in part as follows-.—"The Government of tho lOnited States is, however, keenly disappointed to find that the Imperial German. Government regards itself as in a large degree exempt from the obligation to observe these principles, even when neutral vessels axe concerned, by wjrcat it believes the policy and practice of the Government of Great Britain to ibla in the present war with regard to neutral commerce. The Imperial German (tJovernment will : readily understand; that the Government of the United States*cannot discnsß the policy of the Government of Great Britain with regard to :D.eutral trade except with that Government itself, and that it must regard the* conduct of other, belligerent Governments as irrelevant to any discussion wiiih the "-Imperial Gorman Government of what this Government regards as grave and unjustifiable violations of the rights of American citizen s by German commanders. Illegal and inhuman acts, however justifiable they may be thought to bo against an enemy who is believed to have acted in contraventioki of law and humanity, are manifestly indefensible when they deprive neutrals 1 .; of their acknowledged rights, particularly when they violate the right'to life'(itself. lia belligerent cannot retaliate against an enemy without injuring the-- lives of neutrals, as well as their property, humanity, as well, as justico and ja due regard for the dignity of-neutral Powers, should dictate that the practids be discontinued. If persisted in, it would in such circumstances constitute ail unpardonable offence agaihst the. sovereignty of the neutral nation affected."]^ NEW ORDER TO GERMAN. SUBMARINE COMMANDERS. ■Hlew York, May 5. A Reuter message states: The German Note quotes A new order to the German naval forces, instructing them to observe the prinfciiple of visit and search of merchant vessels; both within and without the usval war zone. Tho Note further expects the United States to insist jjthat Great Britain 'shall conduct its blockade in accordance with the rights or, neutral shipping, failing which Germany reserves "complete liberty of decisiibn."-

Washington, May 5. Unless the United States accepts Germany's overtures regarding;... Britain controlling the seas, Germany announces that she will resetico full liberty of action on the seas. : . Washington, May 5. The German reply to the American Note offers to restrict the submarine warfare within the limits of the_United States demands if United States will compel Great Britain to .abide by the dictates of international law. , The stock markets in New York are demoralised, as itifr believed that President Wilson will now be obliged to break off diplomatic relations. Germany's reply is one of the longest documents of the wisir. It still insists on treating armed merchantmen as cruisers, <ind reiterates the pledges cf safety for .Americans. It admits the attack on the Sussex, ana! promises that it will not recur.... ■ .-. The-reply recalls Britain's alleged failure to answer the various 'American protests concerning tlw British, blockade. :. AMERICA WILL PEOBABLY ACCEPT GERMAN ASSURANCES. r ■' Washing pm, May 5. ' Several members of. the Cabinet e sprees the opinion that: the United States will probably accept the Gorman, assurances for the and will not break off diplornatic'relations unless there are further outrages. . Cabinet will leisurely,consider its action; and will not "decide fpr at least a week. •'■'■' ' The stock exchanges completely recovered on Jus news. .; ''..' Washingtogi, May 5. It is understood luiofficially that President Wilson is likely tnl accept-the German promises, but whether ho will make overtures to Britain i'ol accordance with German desires is not known. ."'.-. •■'.'' ' ' THE HUNS TO BE GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE BY AIkERCIA. (Rec. May 7, 5.5 p.m.) Washington,! May 6. It is considered practically certain that the United States will [accept the German Note as to the cessation of submarine warfare.' except in accordance with international law, but will allow to remain in abeyance Germany's condition that the United States should approach Britain in orddr to seizure freedom of the seas, and if Germany again breaks her promise by sinking jpercbantmen, then diplomatic relations to he broken off forthwith.

LYNCH LAW STILL IN FORCE ON THE HIGH SEAS Washington, Jilay 6. Representative newspapers oppose any such weakening of Cabinejt's attitude. L . The "New York Herald" points out that it is the anniversary or the sinking of the Lusitania (May 7), and says: "Lynch law is still in force on iSie seas, and) the lyncher 'is still an unrepentant bully." The newspaper declared that the German Note is farcical, and offers no hope of settlement. Germany's efforts to place the responsibility on Britain are a s hopeless as her efforts to prove that Russia, -France, and Britain were responsible for the war. The "New York World" says it is preposterous to imagine that Germany has really yielded. ~,.„, The "Tribune" declares that no country could submit to Germany's counter ultimatum and preserve self-respect. If President Wilson now givies in, America will never forgive him. GERMAN-AMERICAN PRESS DELIGHTED WITH THE REPLY. Washington, May} 5. The Press denounces the Note as a piece of colossal impudence, hut: the German-American Press is delighted with it.