IS IT A DECLARATION OF WAR ON AMERICA?

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 29, 2 February 1917, Page 7

IS IT A DECLARATION OF WAR ON AMERICA?

! PRESS DEMANDS A VIGOROUS REPLY i ' ■•>■ '. . ■.'.■■■■»■ ■ ■ ■. ' '■■■■■

j BREAK IN RELATIONS ADVOCATED

) SITUATION IS CRITICAL

(UNITED' PItBSS ASJOCIATieN.—COPTftISHT.) (AUSTKAMAN-KBW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIAtIONi) (Received February 2, 8.30 a,m.) NEW YORK, lat February. The. \iert of tba German Not© to the United Stales says, inter aha. The Imperial Government giver it 3 earnest attention to-' President- Wilson's speech, the general line* of which agree in* the ■widest sense "\vitb *3ie principles a.nd wishes of Germany and her Allies. We approve of President Wilson's aßvoca<sy oi the right of self-government and- eqiva,f rights to aJJ nations. Recognising: theprinciple, Germany would sincerely welcome ,its application to Ireland .aid India, who do not enjoy the blessings of independence Alliances which drive nations into competition and lea-ct to selfish intrigues axe likewise objectionable to Germany The freedom- of Mie'j seas and an p.pep door to trade -were always the guiding principles of German policy Germany and her Allies were ready to enter into peace .negotiations, and had indicated guarantees of exist- ' enca, honour, and liberty as the basis oi peace Their plans, as was stated on the ]2th December, did not aim at the destruction and annihilation of an adversary arid wore compatible with flic right: of other nations The annexation of Belgium had never been Germany's intention Gernianj merely wanted' to take' precautionary measures in order that Belgium should riot be exploited by hei adversaries for -the promotion of hostile attempts, Such precaution was urgently needed, as the enemy, especially at the Paris Conference, declared its unveiled intention, even «ifter restoring peace, to continue a svstenlat-ic it-fade ,«ght ■ ,n ■ '■" .

Tho attempt of the Central Power's towards peace had failed because their adversaries' i.nsl for conquest and their •w;it aims tverp designed to dishonour Germany; Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria Out' adversaries wanted to fight to the-list,' and have thus created a new situation winch forces Germany to a. new decision For two years and alialf England had. misused politics; then ha navy attempted to force the Central Powers into subjection England had prohibited our legitimate trade and even the fortunes o£ iieutra) States America knows what means were talcen in order to induce England to observe the laws of nations and respect the freedom of the ocean, but lohe English Government persists iv a war of starvation, which does not touch." our military strength, hut forces women and children and the sick and aged 'to suffer painful privations, which , are endangering ttie- national vitality. . '

The Note theD intimates the abandonment of the restriction, on se? warfare. A memorandum accompanying the NotestateS" All, sea traffic) will be opposed within barred zones around Britain, France, Italy; and the Eastern Mediterranean. Precautions will be taken that neutral Vessels en route W ports on Ist February will be spared, ye'i they are, urgently advised to be warned and directed to othet roads by all means; at their disposal. Neutrals uovi in port in the barred ssones can >vith safely abandon the zones if ■ they.. Bail before stb February,' taking the shortest route >o the open districts . The traffic <>f regular American . passenger ships can continue unmolested if Falmouth is the port of designation^ and they keep 'a the reserved fufety Janes and carry pro rainent distinctive marks and flags, ivhich must be illuminated at night; also if one steamer each week ,runs in each direc tion, arriving at Falraouth on Sundays and leaving on Wednesdays, ant) if guarantees are given by tile American Government that thesfl steamers do not carry contraband according to Germany's lisit^of contraband.