Evening star., 1915-02-17
Officials Are Friendly.

Officials here continue to decline to
discuss the situation to any extent. No
answer will be made to Count Bern
storff's note of Monday until a reply
has been received from Berlin to the
American note sent through Ambassa-
dor Gerard. Both communications will
be dealt with in another note from the
United States, 1t was understood, TAX
zones and especially the proposal of
Germany to strew mines in new war
areas.
Hitherto the United States has de-
against the strewing of mines in the
North sea in contravention of interna-
tiona1 law because the American gov
ernment was unable to learn which
belligerent was responsible for the act.
The announcement of Germany's in
tention to strew mines. especially if
they are floating and not anchored,
may reopen the entire question, it was
ministration opinion has not developed
finally on that phase of this question
Beset With Difficulties.
One suggestion of the German gov
ernment, that American organizations
or consular officers supervise the dis
tribution of foodstuffs as a guarantee
of its delivery to civilians, seems to be
beset with more difficulties than were
originally evident. While making it
clear that the subject had not been
formally considered as yet it was
stated authoritatively by high officials
of the American government that such
a procedure could be undertaken by
the United States only with the ac-
quiescence of ali the belligerents
The situations in Belgium and in Ger
many proper were in this respect held by
State Department officials to be analogous
1t was revealed. however. that before Min
Id
tions were permitted to supervise the dis
tribution of food supplies in Belgium, the
consent of Germany as well as Great
Britain had been obtained. For neutral
government, either directly or indirectly.
to assist the civilian population Of a bel
ligerent to obtain supplies without the
consent of the other belligerents would be
unneutral, according to the view Of
American officials.
So scrupulously has this principle been
maintained, it was revealed at the State
Department, that even in the transmits
sion Of funds accruing from American in
vestments to persons Of German or Aus
trian nationality abroad, no step has been
taken without the previous knowledge and
consent Of the allies and vice versa.
Position of Countries.
The British government has made its
position clear on the principles under
which conditional contra band will not be
interfered with when destined to civil
ians in an enemy country; while the Ger
man government has stated that if it can
get food supply for its civilian popula
tion 1t will recede from its submarine
campa ign.
These declarations contain no concur
renee of views, but officials say there is
always the possibility that through the
good offices of an Intermediary q COM
mon ground for an understanding NAV be
reached.
Ia this connection, Great Britaip's
reply to the American note of Decem-
ber &c protesting against interference
with United States commerce was be-
ing prepared at the State Department
today for publication. The full text of
the document containing approximate
ly 1000 words, will be given out simul-
taneously here and in London tonight
The British note, in addition to Civ
ing statistics on neutral commerce and
making general denial of any un-
warranted interference with legitimate
shipments. points out that the recent
! government decree taking over the
| -four and grain supply in Germany re-
| quired added precautions on the part
of the allies that conditional contra
| band might not be permitted to reach
| the armed forces of the enemy. 1t also
| constitutes a further statement of the
British government on the legal Ques-
tions involved.