UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 7

UNITED STATES AND GERMANY

TEXT OF THE HUNS’ NOTE HAS BEEN ISSUED The High Commissioner reports:— f LONDON, July 10, 0.20 a.ra. The text of the German Note to America has been issued. Germany makes protestations of friendship to the United States. Germany says that she is forced to adopt submarine warfare owing to the methods of her adversaries. ■. ■ German submarines will be instructed to permit the passage 'of American steamers when the vessels are made recognisable \}y special markings'/ and the German Government notified a reasonable time in advance. The Note asks America to guarantee that such vessels will not carry con traband. , A FURTHER NOTE FROM THE UNITED STATES By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. ■ *' WASHINGTON, 'July 9. It is understood that Germany’s latest reply refuses the American request for an alteration in regard to Germany's submarine warfare. It is probable the United States will despatch a further Note insisting on the principle of “visit and search” of unarmed vessels, and warning Germany against future violations on a threat of diplomatic rupture. NOTE HANDED TO AMERICAN AMBASSADOR - (Received July 11, 3.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 11. The German reply to America’s Note was handed to Air Gerard, tho American Ambassador in Berlin, yesterday. (Received July 11, 4 p.m.) BERLIN. July 11. Tho reply to the American Note has been published. It states that, in order to avoid endangering American passenger steamers, German submarines will he instructed to allow the vessels to pass unmolested if they bear special distinguishing marks and notice is given of their departure.' Tile German Government confidently hopes that America will guarantee that the vessels will not carry contrabandTHE PROPER COURSE FOR PRESIDENT WILSON (Received July 11, 4 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 11. The G.erman Note evaded the Imsitania issue and refused to give any guarantees regarding submarine warfare. rue amencaa press is chagrined and urge that tho proper course for President Wilson now is to assert American rights as established by international law. The State Department admits that Germany’s expression of hope.that tho United States will guarantee that there is no contraband aboard ships carrying passengers, implies that Germany, lacking such a guarantee, will continue' to sink steamers irrespective of nationality. GERMANY WEEPS FOR THE CIVIL POPULATION I (Received July 11, 4 p.m.)BERLIN, July 11. The reply to the second American Note has been issued. It notes that the United States desires that the principles of humanity be observed in the present war. “This appeal finds a complete echo in Germany, which has always adhered to the principle that war njust be waged by armed, organised force, and the enemy’s civil population' spared as much as possible. “The American Government know how Germany’s enemies, from the beginning, aimed, with unceasing ruthlossness, not only at the destruction of the German armies, but the life of the German nation, by_ renouncing all tho rules of international law, completely paralysing peaceful ‘ commerce between Germany and neutral .countries, while our enemies have openly declared war without mercy till our complete destruction has been effected. <f We are waging a war of defence for our national existence, and for the sake of a permanent, guaranteed peace. We have been obliged to adopt submarine warfare. The case of the Lusitania shows, with appalling clearness, tho extent to which our enemies’ methods of warfare endanger human life. “The advice that British merchantmen arm and ram submarines abolishes all distinctions between merchant and war vessels. If the commander of a submarine allowed tho crew and passengers to take to the boats before firing tho submarine would certainly have been sunk. It was expected that the Lusitania would remain afloat long enough to allow the passengers tp take to the boats, but the presence of a great quantity of explosives deceived our expectations “Moreover, if the Lusitania were spared thousands of cases of ammunition would have reached tho enemy, and thus thousands of German mothers and children would be deprived of their supporters.” In order to secure a sufficiency of trans-Atlantic steamers Germany proposed that a fair number of neutral steamers be temporarily registered under the American flag to sail in the passenger service. If there is an' insufficiency of neutral steamers Germany is willing to allow four enemy passenger steamers to sail under the American flag. -t .. Germany hopes that President Wilson’s efforts to secure the freedom o' the sea, may lead to an understanding. GERMANY’S “UNCTUOUS HUMBUG” (Received July 11, 5 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. The “Evening Standard” severely comments’ on the Germans’ .unctuous humbug. *