ion has been
received from the Chinese Minister at Berlin, transmitting
a note from the German Government dated February 1, 1917,
which makes known that the measures of blockade newly
adopted by the Government of Germany will, from that day,
endanger neutral merchant vessels navigating in certain
prescribed zones.

The new menace of submarine warfare inaugurated by
Germany, imperilling the lives and property of Chinese
citizens to even greater extent than measures previously
taken which have already cost so many human lives to
China, constitute a violation of the principles of public
international law at present in force; the tolerance of
their application would have as a result the introduction
into international law of arbitrary principles
incompatible with even legitimate commercial intercourse
between neutral states, and between neutral states and
belligerent powers.

The Chinese Government, therefore, protests energetically
to the Imperial German Government against the measures
proclaimed on February 1, and sincerely hopes that with a
view to respecting the rights of neutral states and to
maintaining the friendly relations between these two
countries, the said measures will not be carried out.

In case, contrary to its expectations, its protest be
ineffectual, the Government of the Chinese Republic will
be constrained, to its profound regret, to sever the
diplomatic relations at present existing between the two
countries. It is unnecessary to add that the attitude of
the Chinese Government has been dictated purely by the
desire to further the cause of the world's peace and by
the maintenance of the sanctity of international law.

Well, well, thinks I, on reading that note, wonders will never cease! Is
this the same China, prating about the sanctity of international law,
that sat supine and helpless under the French grab of Lao Hsi Kai? Is
this the same China that accepted the deal of the Shanghai Opium
Combine, powerless to prevent it? How comes it that she's got this
sudden influx of moral strength? Who or what has suddenly inspired her
to make these bold assertions about "arbitrary principles incompatible
with even legitimate commercial intercourse," and what pressure is it
that suddenly inspires her to step into the arena as the champion of
"world's peace" and the defender of the "s