The Sentinel=record., 1915-02-14

Washington Feb. l3 The impor- tance which the German government attaches to the unrestricted ship ments of foodsJuffs for it's civilian population was emphasized at the state department today by Count Eon Bernstorff the German ambassador Who conferred with both Secretary Bryan and Chancellor Lansing.
 While no formal statement regard Ing the German ambas- adors call was issued by the department it was said afterwards he hinted that war fare on merchant shipping might be relaxed if Germany could be assured Of a continuous food supp.y for her non-combatant population.
 The position of the German govern ment, it was explained. is that the proclamation of a war zone and cam paign against enemy merchant ships was simply a retaliation against Eng lands alleged violations of the dec. laration of London in hindering con ditional contraband destined for civ ilians from reaching Germany. This, according to the German ambassador is no less inhumane than the cam paign on merchant vessels. While de. clining to authorize any statement. officials admitted that the American note to Germany was open to the con struction that no vessels, either bel. ligerent or neutral, should be sunk unless previously visited and an op- pOrtunity given for the taking eff of passengers. It was reiterated t1at while the rules of international law clearly compelled such steps to en- sure the safety oi non combat9nt- travelling at sea. the position taken was based largely on humanitarian grounds
 An official who assisted in the prep aration of the American aotp to Ger. many pointed out that the strong warning tone of the communication was not intended as a threat but n reality was ilie4dly act done in spirit of precaution lest the sinking of an American vessel with Ameri- cans aboard inflame public opinion iu d could not be estimated in advance
 The German ambassador, it is un- derstood. did not discuss the inteh- tions of his government in conhec- ton with the announced campaign on merchant ships, but confined himself to explaining at length the German point of view on conditional contra band. He holds that the United States in contending fc~ a strict oh. servance of the rights of neutrals, should interest itself in seeing that conditiona' contraband is not held up on the high seas.
 The rules of international law. the German ambassador was understood 10 have pointed out require proof that the articles are destined to bel ligerent forces He said the German government had given aasuia Ice and also had modified its decrees so that imported foodstuffs would not be ap- proprated by the army The German government also is willing to permit American consular officers to witness the sale and distribution of such food stuffs to determine whether or not they actually are reaching the clNi popu ation of Germany
 The ambassador discussed 10 some extent the case of the Wilaelmina, an American steamer seized by Great Britain on it's journey to Germany with foodsutffs. He believes the American government should take an interest in the safe delivery of the cargo to Germany. No formal action has been taken by the state depart ment beyond requesting Great Britain to postpone the prize court proceed ings until the owners of the Ve1seL who have submitted a brief to the de partment are enabled to discuss the case further here.
 The question of cargoes suc1 as that of the Wilheimina which were shirped before the German decree taking over the national food supply became effective, probably will De covered fully in the American reply to the British note now being tia1s- mitted from London and dealing with the general subject of neutral com merce. Most of the communication