America

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 41, 19 February 1915, Page 5

America

The Hog Squeals.

EXTRAORDINARY STORY. A MASTERPIECE OF MENDACITY. SEEKING SYMPATHY IN AMERICA UNCONSCIOUS HUMOUR. BRITAIN BLAMED FOR THE WAR. GERMAN ANXIETY TO PROTECT NEUTRALS. (Received 10 a.m. London, February 18.

A Berlin message to America statfes that Germany has hitherto scrupulously observed Valid international rules from the beginning of the war. She had agreed to the American proposal to ratify the new Declaration of London, which allowed the transport of Danish provisions to England, though Germany was well able to prevent such transport. Germany had been cut off from her oversea supplies by the silent and protecting toleration of* the neutrals. Britain, on the other hand, with the toleration of neutrals, hadbeen supplied with goods which were absolute contraband. Germany was obliged to point out with the greatest emphasis that traffic in arms estimated at a hundred millions sterling was being carried on between American firms and Germany’s enemies. Germany fully comprehends these matters involve no formal violation of neutrality, but the entire public opinion of Germany feels severely prejudiced by the fact that the neutrals have achieved such insignificant results to safeguard German rights in legitimate commerce, while, at* the same time, making unlimited use of their right in carrying on contraband tradihg with certain other enemies. In view of this situation Germany is obliged to answer Britain’s murderous f naval warfare with sharp counter-measures. If Britain summons hunger as her ally for the purpose of imposing upon seventy million civilised people the choice between destitution by starvation or submission to Britain’s commercial will; then Germany was determined to Like up the gauntlet and* appeal to similar allies. Germany trusts the neutrals who have silently submitted to the disadvantageous conditions consequent upon Britain’s hunger war, will display no smaller measure of toleration to-wards-Germany even if the measures she takes result in new terrors by way of naval warfare. Germany was resolved to suppress the importation of war material to Britain and the Allies by all means at her disposal, and takes it for granted that neutrals will not oppose the forcible suppression of trade. . Germany had proclaimed a naval war zone and would seek to close that zone with mines and also would endeavour to destroy hostile merchant vessels in every other way. Though Germany does not fail to recognise this action taken against Britain will endanger all trade within the war zone without distancing this neutral result of mine warfare, Germany considers she is/entitled to hope that

neutrals will acquiesce iu these measures, as Germany has given proof of her desire to protect neutral shipping by giving fourteen days’ to enable neutrals to avoid the danger, by remaining outside the zone. Neutral vessels, which, despite notice that the enemy has closed the waters, must themselves bear the responsibility- of unfortunate accidents. Germany had expressly announced the destruction of all enemy merchantmen within the war zone, not the destruction of all merchantmen as the American Government had erroneously understood. Germany in future, would follow Britain’s example, presuming neutral ships to have contraband aboard. While ready to deliberate with the American Government on any measures to secure safety of legitimate shipping of neutrals in the war zone, she cannot forbear pointing out that all efforts will be rendered difficult by Britain’s misuse of the neutral flag, such as in the case of the Lusitania and Laertes. Moreover, the British Government had supplied merchant, ships with arms and instructed them to forcibly resist submarines. Hence it was difficult for a submarine to recognise neutral, vessels' as such, since search cannot, in most cases, be undertake]), seeing that if the vessel is a disguised British ship, the search party would be exposed to destruction. Thus the position would make German measures illusory. Germany to-day was fighting to restore the freedom of the seas and therefore rejoices that the American Government has made representations to Britain concerning the illegal use of her flag, and expresses the expectation that this will force Britain to respect the American flag in future. In this expectation German submarines will be instructed to refrain from violent action towards American merchantmen. Germany recommends the United States to make ships conveying cargo discernable by means of convoys. Germany is ready to negotiate as to how this can be carried out. Germany, nevertheless, will be gratified if America will urge its shipping to avoid the zone until the flag question is settled. She is confident that America will recognise that Germany is fighting a heavy battle for her existence, and will understand the motives of the recent measures. The appeal concludes: “If America can find a way of causing tho Declaration of London to be respected, thereby making it possible for importing to Germany the necessaries of life, including raw material, Germany couldn’t too highly appreciate such service in the interests of more human methods of warfare, and will gladly draw.conclusions from fhe new situation.” GERMANY'S EXCUSE. THE BLOCKADE IN SELF-DE-FENCE. United Press Association. Loudon, February 18. Germany lias notified the United States that strained relations exist between Germany and America. It is understood that war is unlikely. President Wilson is deeply concerned, but is determined to prevent war at all costs.

The Cabinet decided to again notify Britain of its strong objection to the proclamation of a blockade against foodstuffs intended for Germany.