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The Commoner
10
"VOL. 17, NO. 2
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German Note to the United States
A Washington dispatch, dated Jan 31, says:
Following Is the text of the note handed to Sec
retary of Stato Lansing by Count von Bernstorff,
the German ambassador:
"Mr. Secretary of State: Your excellency was
good enough to transmit to the Imperial govern
ment a copy of the message which the President
of tho United States of America addressed to the
senate on tho 22d Inst. Tho Imperial govern
ment has given It tho earnest consideration
which tho President's statements deserve, In
spired, as they are, by a deep sentiment of re
sponsibility. "It Is highly gratifying to the imperial gov
ernment to ascertain that the main tendencies
of this Important statement correspond largely
to tho desires and principles professod by Ger
many. "Those principles especially include self-government
and equality of rights for all nations.
Germany would bo sincerely glad If in recog
nition of this principle countries like Ireland and
India, which do not enjoy the benefits of polit
ical independence, should now obtain their free
dom, "The German people also repudiate all alli
ances 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 co
operate in all efforts to prevent future wars.
Tho freedom of the seas, being a preliminary
condition of the free existence of nations and
tho peaceful intercourse between them, as well
as the open door for the commerce of all na
tions, has always formed part of the leading
principles of Germany's political program.
"All the more tho imperial government re
grots that the attitude of her enemies, who are
"SO'outlnaVr oppoood to -pcaoo, makoo it impossible
for the world at present to bring about the re
alization of these lofty ideals.
"Germany and her allies were ready to enter
now into a discussion, of peace and had set
down as a basis tho guaranty of existence, honor
and free development of their peoples.
"Their aims, as has been expressly stated in
tho note of December 12, 191G, were not direct
ed toward the destruction or annihilation of
their enemies and were, according to their con
viction, perfectly compatible with the rights of
tho other nations.
"As to Belgium, for which such warm and
cordial sympathy is felt in the United States,
the chancellor had declared only a few weeks
previously that its annexation had never formed
part of Germarty's intentions.
"The peace to bo signed with Belgium was to
provide for such conditions in that country, with
which Germany desires, to maintain friendly
neighborly relations, that Belgium should not bo
used again by Germany's enemies for the pur
pose of instigating continuous hostile intrigues.
"Such precautionary measures are all the
more necessary, as Germany's enemies have re
peatedly stated not only in speeches delivered
by their leading men, but also in the statutes
of the economical conference in Paris, that it is
their intention not to treat Germany as an equal,
oven after peace has been restored, but to con
tinue their hostile attitude and especially to
wage a automatical economical war against her.
"The attempt of the four allied powers to
bring about peaoe has failed owingto the lust
of conquest of their enemies, who desired to dic
tate tho conditions of peace. Under tho pretense
of following tho principle of nationality, our en
emies have disclosed their real aim in this way,
viz:, to dismember and dishonor Germany, Austria-Hungary,
Turkey and Bulgaria.
"To the wish of reconciliation, they oppose the
will of destruction. They desire a fight to tho
bitter end.
"A new situation has thus been created which
forces Germany to new decisions. Since two
years and a half, Engtynd is using her naval
power for a criminal attempt to force Germany
into submission by starvation. In brutal con
tempt of international law the group of powers
Ida 'by England does not only curtail the legiti
mate trade of their opponents, but they also, by
ruthless pressure, compel- neutral countries
either to altogether forego every trade not
agreeable to the entente powers or to limit it
according to tholr arbitrary decrees.
"Tho American government knows the steps
which have been taken to cause England and
her allies to return to the rules of international
law and to respect the freedom of the seas.
"The English government, however, insists
upon continuing its war of starvation, which
does not at all affect tho military power of its
opponents, but compels women and children, the
sick and the aged, to suffer for their country
pains and privations which endanger the vitality
of the nation. Thus British tyranny mercilessly
increases the sufferings of the world, indiffer
ent to the laws of humanity, indifferent to the
protests of the neutrals whom they severely
harm, indifferent even to the silent longing for
peace among England's own allies.
"Each day of tho terrible struggle causes new
destruction, new sufferings. Each day shorten
ing tho war will, on both sides, preserve the life
of thousands of brave soldiers and be a benefit
to mankind.
"The imperial government could not justify
before its own conscience, before the German
people and before history the neglect of any
means destined to bring about the end of the
war. Like the President of the United States,
the imperial government had hoped to reach this
goal by negotiations.
"After the attempts to come to an under
standing with the entente powers have been an
swered by the latter with the announcement of
an intensified continuation of the war, the im
perial government in order to serve the wel
fare of mankind in a higher sense and not to
wrong its own people is now compelled to con
tinue the fight for existence again forced upon
it with the full employment of all the weapons
which are at its disposal.
"Sincerely trusting that the people and gov
ernment of the United States will understand
the motives for this decision and its necessity
the imperial government hopes that tti United
States may view the new situation from the lofty
heights of impartiality and assist, on their part
to prevent further misery and unavoidable sac
rifice of human life.
"Inclosing two memoranda regarding the de
tails of the contemplated military measures at
sea, I remain, etc.
"(Signed ,
"J. BERNSTORFF."
BANGER ZONE FOR SHOPS OUTLINED BY
GERMANY '
A Washington dispatch, dated Jan. 31, says
Following is the official text of annex to the
German note presented to the state department
by Count von Bernstorff: ni
MEMORANDUM
"From February 1, 1917, sea traffic will be
stopped with every available weapon and 4m,
out further notice in the foTlowTng oloclade"
zones around Great Britain, France ItalvTm? in
the eastern Mediterranean. y nd in
"In the north:
"The zone is confined by a HrP it 1 ,i
no?Tr?fN0rWay' a-"ne from ttere across the
point ttlZmhiZlT- ftJ?h" t0 a
of the Pavre (T Islands fro B0"thern Pnt
point 02 degrees northTlu degree TS
degrees north, 16 degrees west the i t0 "
north, 20 degrees wrt i iTI n B7 degrees
degrees LT??rthS W,7US "
Flntsterre, and at a d stanL S f"6! from C
along the north coas of SnafnTn I Sem'les
boundary. paln to th French
"In the south:
minutes north and 0 decree "1' 3,8 degrees 20
west of a zone slxtv-onp lit ?' also north and
north AfrC ta k EKW'. 7B the
onSitde west. For mlL t $
sone with Greece thnr f 1.1-.,
width of twenty sea miles north and 'eaTofV
. following line. Thirty-eight decreea Z? f the
6 degrees east to 38 degrees nSSTaSllo '?
grees west to 37 degrees north and 11 ! de
30 minutes east to 34 degrees north and 22T
grees 30 minutes east. 22 do"
"From there leads a zone twenty ... ii
west of 22 degrees 30 minutes eastern Wu ?8
into Greek territorial waters lon8Uude
"Neutral ships navigating these hwi,,i
zones do so at their own risk. "ckade
"Although care has been taken that neutral
ships which are on their way toward ports 0
the blockade zone on February l, 1917
have come in the vicinity of the latter, will be
spared during a sufficiently long period 1 i!
strongly advised to warn them with all aVa 1
abe means in order to cause their return
"Neutral ships which on February 1 are in
ports of the blockade zone can with the same
safety leave them. me
"The instructions given to the commanders
of German submarines provide for a sufficiently
long period during which the safety of passeng
ers on unarmed enemy passenger ships is guar-
"Americans en route to the blockade zone on
enemy freight steamers are not endangered as
the enemy shipping firms, have time to prevent
such ships from entering the zone.
"Sailing of regular American passengers shins
may continue undisturbed after February l,
J.J17, l .
4(a) The port of destination is Falmouth.
"(b) Sailing to or coming from that port
course is taken via the Scilly Island and about
50degrees north 20 degrees west.
"(c) The steamers are marked in tho follow
ing way, which must not be allowed to other
vessels in American ports:
"On ships hull and superstructure three ver
tical stripes, one meter wide each, to be painted
alternately white and red. Each mast should
show a large flag checkered white and red and
the stern the American national flag.
"Care should be taken that, during dark,
national flag and painted marks are easily rec
ognizable from a- distance and that the boats are
well lighted throughout.
"(d) One steamer a week sails in each di
rection, with arrival at Falmouth on Sunday and
departure from Falmouth on Wednesday.
"(e) United States government guarantees
that no contraband (according to German con
traband list) is carried by those steamers."
THE OAIili OF THE NATIONS
Wanted, more men for the dead and the dy- '
' . ing,
Yonder where many a river runs red,
Heaped in the war-riven trenches are lying
Men must be found who can die in their
stead,
Ever the call of the cannon roars louder;
"Hurry us troops till we're sated again,'
March forth battalions of food lor our powder,
Search through the world for them wanted,
more men!"
Wanted, more men for the best have been
taken;
Their rifles are silent, their war songs are
stilled,
Their posts are deserted, their banners for
saken Never againbean they kill or be killed!
The God of the Battlefield" smiles on the
stronger,
Soon the grim tide may be turned, but till
then
The line ffust be held for a little while longer,
Hasten hem out to us wanted,-tfore men!
Wanted, more men in tlie shock of fhe battle
A thousand may stand but a minute or two;
March out the regiments, drive them like cat
tle, Send all you find, be they many or few.
Pill up the gaps in the ranks that are shat
tered, '
Set the big guns at their red work again;
Soon they'll be broken and fallen and scat
tered And still will the watchword be: "Wanted,
more men!" 1
James J. Montague, in Pittsburg Post.
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