A BERLIN MESSAGE

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 143, 19 February 1915, Page 5

A BERLIN MESSAGE

WHAT GERMANY WANTS. (Kcc. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18. A Berlin message to America states that Germany hitherto scrupulously observed all valid international rules. At the beginning of the war she agreed to America's proposal to ratify the new Deelartiona of London and allowed the transport of Danish provisions to Hugland. She thought America was w'eli able to provent Germany being cut ofi from oversea supplies by silent protestation against neutrals supplying Bri tain with goods which were absolute contraband. Germany was obliged t'. point out with the greatest emphasisthat the traffic in arms, estimated a* hundreds of millions, was being carried on between American firms and Germany's enemies. Germany fully comprehends that these matters involve ur formal violation of neurality, but thej annoy public opinion. Germany feels severely the prejudiced fact that neutrals have achieved insignificant results in the .safeguard of their rights in legitimate commerce with Germany. While making disapproved use of their right in carrying on contraband trade with Britain and other enemies, and ii view of this situation, Germany was obliged to answer Britain's murderous naval warfare with sharp counteranswers. Britain summonses hunger as. an ally for the purpose of imposing upon 70 millions of civilised people :' choice between being destroyed by starvation or submission to Britain'? commercial will, then Germany is determined to take up the gauntlet and appeal to similar allies. Germany tvustf that neutrals who silently submitted to disadvantages in consequence of Britain's hunger war, will display no smaller measure of toleration for Cror- > many, even if measures result in new terrors of naval warfare. Germany is resolved to suppress the importation of war material to Britain and her allies by all means at its disposal. It take:for granted that neutrals will not oppose forcible suppression of trade. Germany proclaimed a naval war zone and will seek to close that zone by mines, md also endeavour in every other way. merchant vessels in every other way Though she does not fail to recognise that action against Britain engages all trade within the war zone, Germany considers she is entitled to hope that neutrals will acquiesce in her measures, as Germany has given proof of her desire to protect neutral shipping by giving fourteen days' notice to enable neutrals to avoid danger which does not threaten those remaining outside the war zone. Neutral vessels which, despite the notice, enter the closed waters must themselves bear the re sponsibility of unfortunate accidents. Germany has expressly announced the destruction of all enemy merchant ships in the war zone and not the destruction, of all merchantmen, as the American Government erroneously understood. Germany will in future follow Britain in presuming that neutral ships have contraband, and while ready to deliberate with the American Government on any measures to secure the safety of legitimate shipping of neutrals in the war zone, she cannot forbear in enjoining all efforts to render difficult by Britain the misuse of a neutral flag. such as occurred on the Lusitania and Laertes. Moreover, the British Government has supplied merchant-ships with arms and instructed them to forcibly resist submarines. . Hence it is difficult for submarines to recognise neutral vesels as such, since search cannot in most eases be undertaken, seeing that if the vessel was a disfigured Bri- ( tish ship the search party would be exposed to destruction. Such a position would make German measures illusory. Germany, to-day, was fighting to restore freedom of the seas. She therefore rejoices that the American Gov. rnment has made representations to Britain concerning her illegal use of a flag, and expresses the expectation that on this force Britain would respect the American flag in future. In this expectation submarines were instructed to refrain from violent action on American merchantmen. Germany recommends the United States to make ships conveying cargo discernablo by means of convoys. Germany was ready to negotiate as to how this can bo carried out. Germany, nevertheless, would be grateful if America would urge its shipping to avoid the zone until the flag question was settled. She was confident that America would recognise that Germany was fighting a heavy battle for her existence, and understand the motives of recent measures, and concludes that if America can find a way of causing the Declaration of- London to be respected, they were thereby making it possible to import to Germany the necessaries of life. Germany could not too highly appreciate such service in the interest of humane methods in warfare, and she would gladly draw conclusions from the new situation.

NOT BABY KILLING RAIDS. (Times and Syrney Sun Special Cables). In connection with the air raids on the German coast the Admiralty announce*) (hat instructions arc always issued to confine attacks ic points of miiUtary importance, and the aviators are using every effort to avoid bombing residential parts.