The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-03
Proposes Establishment Of
American Commission To
Supervise Foodstufs
Merchants Ships
Should Be Unarmed
Berlin Sees In American Sug-
gestions Friendly Feeling On
Part of America To The
German People

Berlin, via London. March =
The German goveriiment handed
10 Ambassador James w. Gerard
this evening its reply to the in
formal inquiries submitted on
February ~ by the envoy in be-
half of his government, looking to
an confederation of the situation
arising from tie proclamation OF
naval war zone abou. the British
Isles, and northern France by
Germany, and Great Brftain's re-
fusaI to allow foodstuffs for nom
combatants to pass from neutral
ports to Germany.
The acceptance of virtually all
of the proposals in the American
note Is set forth, the principal ex-
ceptiou being the unwilling ness of
the German government to have
the use OF anchored mines re-
stricte<i to purely defensive pur-
poses. Germany Is willing to con-
slider giving up the use of floating
mines entirely, but expresses tho
conviction that hostilities cannot
at this time afford to abandon
anchored mines for offensive
operations.
Germany agrees further that II ne.
capture merchantmen
ed by enemy countries, the acs.un
such vessels shall be In
accord with the general principles OF
law. Conditional upon
this however. Is that the use Of neu-
trail flags by merchantmen OF hostile
powers be given up. and that no mer-
chairman be armed. The employ
ment Of such tactics will make 1t I'M
possible for Germany to limit the ac-
ton of her undersea craft
Propose American Commission.
In relation to the distribution OF
as suggested in the Ameri-
can note. the German Government
proposes the constitution OF Amert-
can commissions to which foodstune
from neutral powers for the use or
civilians could be consigned. 1t is
proposed also that such commissions
be permitted to import and control
the distribution OF articles such a.
fodder. which are conditional contra-
band under the rules of the Deciara-
ton OF London. Germany sets her
self unalterably against interference
with articles on the absolute Tree
list in the Declaration of London.
The German reply to the note OF
the United States was dispatched last
Sunday 1t began as follows:
Text of German Reply.
The German Government has
taken note OF the American sugges-
ton with lively interest. and see there-
in new proof of friendly feelings
which are fully reciprocated by Ger-
many.
The suggestion corresponds also
to the German wishes that the naval
war should be waged according TO
rules which, without suhjecting ono
or the other belligerent power to one-
sided restrictions of methods of war
fare, would take into consideration
the interests Of neutrals as we'll 40
the laws of humanity.
''In this sense the German note or
February ls already has pointed out
that the observance OF the London
declaration by Germany's enemies
would create q new situation. from
pared to draw conclusions.
Starting from this conception, the
German government has submitted
the American suggestion to attentive
examination and believes that II can
recognize therein an effectively suit-
able basis for practical solution OF
the questions at issue"
As To Drifting Mines.
On particular suggestions contain-
ed IN the American note the following
remarks are made:
Germany would be prepared to
make the suggested decla ration con-
corning the unemployment Of drift
\