The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-03
NOTE IS DISCUSSED
ENGLISH OFFICIAL ATTITUDE Is
NOT YET ANNOUNCED
Seems TO Lack FAVOR
Press and Public Think Nothing
Should Stop Embargo on Germany
il Submarine Activity is Continued
Expect German Policy VIII Re-
suit in Much Ennity to Germany.

The American note, contents of
which remain secret, hut which IN
general seeks to bring about an un-
derstanding regarding the war zone
prescribed by Germany and the ship
ment of foodstuffs to the civilian pop
ulation OF belligerent countries, was
considered at q meeting of the Brit
ish cabinet Thursday. No intl-
nation as to the Official attitude to-
wards it has been obtained. This
and other diplomatic questions in
London have largely overshadoWed
news from the battlefelds.
The British press and public, on
the supposition that President Will
son has suggested that Great Britain
should not carry out her threat to
place an embargo on foodstufs for
Germany and that, in return, Ger
many should not enforce her subma-
rine blockade against the British
Isles, already have expressed their
disapproval Of acceptance OF sucn
a proposition.
While eight British ships have
been destroyed in the week that the
blockade has been in force, it is
pointed out that they are for the
most part small vessels and that
most of them, instead Of having food
for this country, either were IN pal
last or carrying coal or other trelgnt
for neutral countries.
It is believed in London also that
the destruction Of neutral ships ana
cargoes will embroil Germany with
neutral countries, and that IN the
long run the losses the allies suffer
will be more than Offset by the anger
aroused on the part Of the neutrals
and the possible refusal Of countries,
such as Norway, to allow goods to be
shipped from their ports to Germany.
The British foreign Office, says
London dispatch, is extremely retlc-
ent in discussing the American pro-
posal made to London and Berlin
outlining a plan for the feeding OF
the civil population of Germany IN
der certain regulations.
Sir Edward Grey, the British for
eign secretary, and other cabinet
members still emphasize the fact
that Great Britain has not made 1000
destined for Germany absolute con-
traband.
While Sir Edward Grey's reply to
the American note concerning the
food steamer Wilhelmina intimated
that such a step probably would be
necessary, absolute pl lohibition OF
food shipments to Germany has not
been announced. TIE decision OF the
Wilhelmina case by the prize court is
being looked forward to, as it is con-
sidered that this will amount to a
definite statement Of the British po-
sition.
For several days it has been intl-
mated in official circles that the for
eign office might issue g memoran-
dunn setting forth definitely the Brit
ish policy concerning foodstuffs des-
tined for Germany and outlining
plans for reprisals deemed necessary
because of the operations of the Ger
man submarines. The issuance OF
the statement within two or three
days is not improbable.
British officials are sid to be con-
vinced that neutral powers will offer
little objection if food supplies are
cut off from Germany in retaliation
for the German submarine activities,
which, they allege, are in violation OF
all International law.
A prominent British official, dis
cussing the probability of making
foodstuffs absolute coL+raband, men
toned the position taken by Count
Caprivi, once German imperial chan
cellor. The chancellor in a speech in
the re:chstag March 4, 1892, was de-
clared by this official to have said:
"a country may not depend for her
food or for her raw products upon
her trade. In fact, it may be abso-
lutely necessary to destroy the enc
my's trade. The private introduc-
ton Of provisions into Paris was pro-
hibited during the seige and. in the
same way, a nation would be justified
in preventing the import Of food and
raw produce"