Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-03-04

London, March ., 1905 p ma
despatch to Reuters Telegram com
pany from Amsterdam gives the CON
tents of the American note of Febru-
airy % to Great Britain n Germany
and Germany's reply thereto. The
notes were received In Amsterdam in
Il despatch from Berlin.
The American note expresses the
hope that Great Britain and Germany
may, by means of reciprocal conces-
ions. d~iscover a basis of understand
ing the result of which would tend to
free ships engaged In neutral n
peaceful commerce from the serious
dangers to which they are exposed in
passing through the coastal waters Of
the belligerent countries.
This suggestion, the note proceeds
to say, should not be considered as a
proposal by the American government.
whom 1t naturally does not behoove
to propose conditions for such an
agreement. though the question at
Issue has a direct and f~ar-reaching in
terest for the government and people
of the United states.
The note says the United States VEN
lures solely to take a liberty. which it is
convinced can he conceded to n sincere
friend who is actuated by a desire to
cause inconvenience to neither of the
two nations and possibly serve the COM
fnon interests of humanity.
TIE AMERICAN SUGG ESTIONS.
The suggestion is made that Germany
and Great Britain should agree, first,
hat isolated drifting mines should be
aid by neither party, that anchored
mines should be laid exclusively for de-
ensive purposes, within gun range of
larbors and that all mines should bear
he mark of the government of origin and
De so constructed as to become harmless
.fter breaking loose from their anchor
lge.
1t is suggested. second, that the sub
marines of neither of the two govern
nents should be employed to attack mer-
hant vessels of any nationality, except
or the purpose Of carrying out the right
f holding them up and searching them;
nd, third, that mercantile ships of mel
her Of the parties should employ neutral
lags as a war ruse as for the purpose
Z concealing their identity.
STATUS OF FOODSTUFFS.
Great Britain, it is suggested. should
gree that foodstuff- shall not be placed
n the list of absolute c~ontraband and
hat the British authorities shall neither
isturb nor hold up cargoes of such
Gods when addressed to agencies in
Germany, the names OF which are COM
nunicated by the United States govern
lent, for the purpose Of receiving such
GODS and handing them over to licensed
ferman retailers for further distribution
xclusively to the civil population.
Germany, It is contended. should declare
er agreement that foodstuffs from the
nited States or any other neutral coun-
", shall be addressed to such agencies.
Finally the American government says
wishes to safeguard itself against the
ca that it either acknowledges or re-
udiates any right on the part of the
elligerents or neutrals established on
lie principles of international law The
merican government would rather re-
ard such an agreement as a modus
vendi which is based more on suitable
than on legal right.
GERMANY FRIENDLY.
The German reply to the note of the
nited States was despatched last Sun
ay. 1t begins as follows:
THE German government has taken
pte of the American suggestion with
vely interest and sees therein new proof
friendly feelings, which are fully
Pciprocated by Germany. The suggestion
Drresponds also to the German wish
lat the naval war should be waged ac-
prding to rules which without sub
citing one or the other belligerent
bwer to one-sided restriction Of methods
warfare, would take into considera-
on the interests of n~eutrals as well as
10 laws of humanity.
I'm this sense the German note of
ebruary Is already has pointed out that