THE GERMAN NOTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9621, 29 March 1917, Page 6

THE GERMAN NOTE

BITTER DENUNCIATION OF ENGLAND. SEQUEL TO REJECTION OF PEACE OFFER. Tho German Note to America (and other neutrals) opens with a declaration of agreement with Mr Wilson s speech, especial mention being made of “tho right of self-government' and the equal rights of all nations.” The Note proceeds: Recognising this principle, Germany would sincerely welcome it if nations like Ireland and - India, which do not enjoy the blessings of independence of State, now would obtain liberty. The freedom of the seas as a preliminary condition for tho free existence and tho peaceful intercourse of nations, as well as the open door for trade, wore always tho guiding principle of German policy. Tho Imperial Government all the more regrets that the attitude of its adversaries, being hostile to peace, makes it impossible for the world to work Aon - for the realisation of these exalted aims. Genpany and her allies were at once prepared to enter into peace negotiations, and had indicated a basis. “LOVE” FOR BELGIUM.

Their plans were, as expressly stated in the Note of December 12th, 1916, not aimed at the destruction or annihilation of the adversary, and in their conviction quite compatible with the rights of other nations, especially as to Belgium, which is the object of warmhearted sympathies of the United States. Tlie Chancellor a few weeks before had announced that the annexation of Belgium never had been Germany’s intention. Germany, in tho peace to be concluded with Belgium, merely wanted to take precautionary measures so that that country, with which the Imperial Government wishes to live in good neighbourly relations, could not be exploited by their adversaries for the promotion of hostile attempts. Such a precaution is all file more urgently needed since hostile persons in power in repeated speeches, and especially in the resolutions of the Paris Economic Conference, bad declared their open intention, even after the restoration of peace, of not recognising Germany as of equal right, but rather that they would continue to fight her in a systematic fashion. The attempt of four Allied Powers to bring about peace failed on account of the lust of conquest of our adversaries who want to dictate peace. For the past two years and a half England has misused tho power of her Navy in a criminal attempt to force Germany by hunger into subjection. Brutally despising the laws of nations, the group of Powers marshalled by England not only prohibits legitimate trade of their adversaries, but by reckless pressure even forces neutral States to stop all trade relations disagreeable to them or limits tbeir trade according to their arbitrary orders. ENGLAND'S “BRUTALITY.” The English, Government persists in its war of starvation, which certainly does not affect the military strength of tho adversary, but which forces women and children, sick and old persons, for their country’s sake, to suffer painful privations, which endanger national vitality. Thus British imperiousness, with cold blood, accentuates the sufferings of the world, without regard for every dictate of humanity, without regard for the protest of severely prejudiced neutrals, and -without regard oven for tho slent longing for peace within the nations of their own Allies. Next follows a passage lamenting the loss of life on both sides, a declaration that Germany has a clear conscience, and an assertion that the offer of peace has been met by an announcement of intensified warfare. The Note concludes:

The Imperial Government is, therefore, also forced to do away with restrictions which up to now’ it has imposed upon the use of its fighting men at sea. Trusting that the American people and its Government will be alive to the reasons for this decision and for its necessity, the Imperial Government hopes that the United States will appreciate the new state of affairs from a lofty, exalted standpoint of impartiality, and that it will on its part co-opeate in order to avoid further misery and avoidable sacrifices of human lives. YVith reference to the details of the contemplated war measures at sea annexed to the memorandum, the Imperial Government at the same time begs to express its confidence that the American Government will avam American ships against entering the barred zones described in the annex. and also that it will warn citizens against confiding passengers or goods to ships plying to ports in the barred zones.