STRAINED RELATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 19 February 1915, Page 5

STRAINED RELATIONS

BETWEEN GERMANY AND AMERICA PRESIDENT WILSON DEEPLY CONCERNED. U.S. OBJECTION TO BRITISH BLOCKADE. WASHINGTON, Feb. 18. Germany has notified the United States that strained relations exist between •Germany and- America. It is understood that ■war is not likely. President Wilson is deeply concerned, but is determined to prevent war at all costs. . • The Cabinet decided to again notify Great Britain of its strong objection to the proclamation of a blockade against foodstuffs' intended for Germany. AMERICAN TRAFFIC IN ARMS. WITH GERMANY'S ENEMTFS. "HUNGER" BRITAIN'S ALLY. SUGGESTIONS FOR PROTECTION OF AMERICAN SHIPS. BUT BETTER TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAR ZONE. (Received Feb. 19, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18. The Berlin message to America states that Germany has" hitherto scrupulously observed valid international rules. At the beginning of the *war she Agreed to America's proposal to ratify thn new Declaration of London, and allowed the transport of Danish provisions to England, though, well able to prevent it. Germany had been cut off from, oversea'supplies by the silent protesting and toleration of neutrals; but Britain, with the toleration of neutrals, supplied goods which were absolute contraband. _ Germany was obliged to jpoint out with, the "greatest emphasis that traffic in arms, estimated" at £100,000,000, was being carried on by American firms with Germany's enemies. . Germany fully comprehends that these matters-involve no formal violation of neutrality, but the entire public 'opinion in Germany feels severely prejudiced by the fact that neutrals had achieved insignificant results in safeguarding their rights in legitimate commerce with Germany while making unlimited use o£ their right in 'carrying contraband, to Britain and other enemies. In view of this situation. Germany was obliged to answer Britain's murderous" naval warfare by sharp cdrantermeaeures. If Britain summons "hunger • as an ally for the purpose of imposing upon 70,0b0f100 civilised people the choice between destitution, starvation, or submission to Britain's commercial will, theg"Germany is determined to take up the gauntlet and appeal to similar allies. Germany trusts that neutrals who tare fcile&tlv submitted to the disadvantageous consequences of Britain's hunger-war will display no measure of toleration towards Germany. v EyW if the measures result in tew ' terrors of na.'*a! Yarfara ? ' Germany is* resolved to suppress the rmpbrt-atioa o?

war material to Britain and her Allies by all means at her disposal.. She takes for granted that neutrals ■will not oppose a forcible suppression of trade. Germany has proclaimed a naval war zone, and will seek to close the zone with mines. She will also endeavour to destroy hostile merchant vessels in every other way. Though she does not fail to recognise that the portion against Britain endangers all trade within the war zone, without distinction, this is a natural result of mine warfare. Germany considers, she is entitled, to hope that neutrals • will acquiesce in, the" measures, as Germany has given proof of her desire to protect neutral shipping by giving 14 days to enable neutrals, to avoid danger, which will most surely be achieved by remaining outside the war zone. Neutral vessels which, despite the notice, enter the closed waters will themselves hear the responsibility of unfortunate accidents. Germany expressly announced the destruction of all enemy merchantmen in the war zone, but not* the destruction of all merchantmen as the' American Government erroneously understood. I Germany in future will follow Britain •in presuming that neutral ships have : contraband" aboard. i While ready to deliberate with the American Government oh any measures to secure" the safety of legitimate shipping of neutrals in the war zone, Ger- . many cannot forbear pointing out that i all" efforts are rendered difficult by Bri- ' tain's misuse of neutral flags, such as i the Lusitahia and Laerts- incidents. Moreover, the British Government had ' supplied merchant ships with arms, and them to forcibly resist submarines. Hence it would be difficult i for submarines to recognise neutral ves- [ sels as such, since a search cannot in I most cases be undertaken, seeing that if { the vessel was a disguised British ship j the search party would be exposed to ' destruction. This would make the German measures illusory. ' Germany to-day is fighting to restore the freedom of the seas. Therefore she rejoices that the American Government had made representations to Britain concerning the illegal use of. her flag. Germany expresses the expectation that this will'force Britain to respect the American Flag in future. In this-'expectation submarines are"instructed to refrain from violent action against American merchantmen.

Germany recommends the United States to make ships conveying cargo discernible by means of convoys. Germany is ready to negotiate as to how this can be carried out. •Germany, nevertheless, would be grateful if America would urge its shipping to avoid thri wair zone until the flag question was settled. Germany is confident that America will recognise th4t Germany) is fighting a hea.vy 'battle for existence, and will understand tVe motives of recent measures. The message concludes :-5-" If America will find a way of causing the Declaration of Xrondon to be respected, thereby making possible the importation into Germany of the necessaries of life and industrial raw material, Germany could not too higlily appreciate such service in the interest of humane methods of warfare, arid will gladly draw conclusions from the new situation.!'