New Britain herald., 1915-02-25

Great Britain has submitted to her allies France and Russia, the pro- posals made by the United States government designed to end the menace to neutral commerce arising from the retaliatory measures of the European belligerents toward each other. Briefly the American pro- posals, which have been submitted to both England and Germany, seek the elimination by Germany of the recently prescribed war zone around Great Britain and Ireland with it's dangers to neutral shipping through mines and submarine torpedOes and the adoption by all beliggerents of a definite policy with regard to the shipment of foodstuffs destined for the civilian population of their enc mies
 It is not expected that definite reply to the informal comm unication rom the American government will De recleved here for at least two days. From such preliminary ob- serVatlons as American diplomatic officers abroad already have made, there IS said to be some encourage ment Tn the manner of the reception of the proposals at London. Ger many is inclined toward an accept ance of the suggestions, it is under stood, but on the attitude of Greet Britain depends the next move in the situation.
 Attitude of the NcutraIs.
 The strong attitude which the Scandinav1an countries, Italy, Hoi- land and other neutrals, have as sumed toward the retaliatory meas- ures adopted by the belligerents is playing a considerable part in the situation. Although the American proposals have not been communi- cated to other neutrals, it may be stated that virtually all the neutral governments of Europe are in &C., cord with the Washington govern ment
 Officials while reticent about what has been said to Germany and Great Britain in the latest comm unicatione do not deny that the gravity of the whole situation has been made un- mistakably clear.
 Might Shut Off Suplies
 In some quarters yesterday the sug- gestion was made but without con- firmation from sources usually wei informed, that an embargo on eX- ports of foodstuffs from the United States to both the allies and Ger many was being considered as tht next step in the event of an absolute rejection of the American plan fo1 ameliorating the situation.
 Confidential Memorandum.
 It became known that the lates mi c9 finn dential memo morandum, was sent t, mbassadors Page and Gerard a London and Berlin, respectively, or Sunday after conferences between President Wilson, Secretary Bryan and Counselor Robert Lansing
 It was deemed necessary to qua I'd the contents of the proposals with great secrecy so that public refer ences to them might not embarr the belligerents in their discussion of the suggestions. The American government. moreover, asked that the document be regarded for the present as strictly confidential
 As few officials and virtually none of the diplomatic corps are aware of the terms of the arrangements sug- gested by the United States, official Washington awaited with much anxiety the result of the present par leys. High officials are giving vir- tually all of their attention to the subject to the exclusion of such questions as the Japanese Chinese negotiations and Mexican problems
 Submarine Warfare.
 While complaints have been few some officials think the most serious effect of the submarine warfare on merchant ships and the restrictions imposed on the shipment of food- stuffs and conditional contraband has yet to develop.
 They believe that if the present situation continues, American ex- ports will drop to a considera ble cx- tent
 Feeling Is Tense.
 There is no concealment either of the feelings in high school quarters that if the present tension over the attitude of the belligerents continues and any American lives are proved to have been lost as a result of their activities, the Washington govern ment may be called upon to abandon it's present attitude of friendlineSs toward all the warning powers.
 Thus far there have been no re- plies to the notes from Great Britain and Germany concerning the misuse of flags and the possible attacks by submarines on neutral vessels. While these subjects are discussed in the latest confidential memorandum, the formal replies if any should be made. will await the outcome of the present informal negotiations
 Loss of Evelyn and Carib.
 While there was no official com ment yesterday on the sinking of the American steamers Carib and Evelyn