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Show COMMENTS OF NAM CRITIC Writer Says Germany Ia Ready to Go Any Length Compatible With Situation. Sit-uation. BITTER AGAINST U. S. Shipments of Weapons to Allies Al-lies Fills People With Deep Indignation. Berlin. Feb. 18, via London, 12:20 p. m. Count von Reventlow, the German Ger-man naval critic, comments In today's to-day's issue of tho Tages Zeltung on the answer of the German government govern-ment to the American note on tho subject of the marine war zone around Great Britain. The writer declares that the tone of the German note. In spite of the tone of the American communication, shows that Germany is prepared to go the utmost limits compatible with the situation. No fault can be found with the declaration In the German answer. Count von Reventlow declares, de-clares, that the German government, like the American, desires to prevent occurrences which could disturb existing ex-isting friendly relations. "One can read only with pleasure those parts of the German answer which refer to American supplies to England and France." the writer says. "We add to this that these shipments of weapons to our enemies have filled public opinion In Germany Germa-ny with deep indignation and bitterness bitter-ness against the United States. Statistics Sta-tistics of the amount of these shipments ship-ments show that the Germans are not now Justified in speaking of friendly relations " Count von Reventlow then refers to the government's assumption that neutrals do not Intend to offer opposition oppo-sition to forcible suppression of the weapon trade with Germany's enemies ene-mies and he says that, even If the k German government finds itself dls- N appointed in this self-evident assumption. as-sumption. It will carry Its firm determination de-termination through to the end. Will Attack American Shlpa. "Submarine commanders," the writer wri-ter goes on to say. "have been instructed in-structed to avoid damaging American ships recognizable as such, but It must be pointed out that American ships will be recognizable as such only when they are accompanied by American Ameri-can warships. To assume that American Am-erican flags make ships recognizable and assure their safety would be a gross misconception of the note." Life and Death Struggle. The National Zeitung says it believes be-lieves the LTnited States will understand under-stand this Is a life struggle for Germany Ger-many and that the friendly, though firm, tone of the German answer will make a good impression, the more 90 because Germany at the same time gives the United States the friendly advice to have warships accompany its vessels. The Tageblatt calls Germany's answer an-swer "in its form, in its friendly tone and its calm firmness, an excellent document." It Bays It removes every ev-ery excuse for misunderstanding of the German declaration of February 4, as being directed against legitimate commerce. President Wilson, this paper says, cannot expect that weapon weap-on shipments of Americans to the enemies of Germany will be allowed to pass nor can he demand that American ship6 be protected from the consequences of Great Britain's misuse mis-use of the American flag. The answer an-swer exceeds the demands of courtesy by pointing out to America a way of ensuring the safety of her ships, namely by a convoy of warships. "We can only hope that the United States." the Tageblatt continues, "may understand the spirit breathed by the German note, which goes beyond the limits set by mere courtesy." rn |