Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-03

from Amsterdam gives the contents OF
the American notes OF Feb. p TO Great
Britain and Germany and Germany's
reply thereto. The notes were re-
ceived in Amsterdam in q dispatch
from Berlin.
The American notes expressed the
hope that Great Britain and Germany
nay. BY means OF reciprocal conces-
sions. discover q basis Of understand
ing the result Of which would tend 20
free ships engaged in neutral anc
peaceful commerce from the serious
dangers 10 which they are exposed IN
passing through the coastal waters or
the belligerent countries.
Not a Proposal
. This suggestion, the note proceeds
TO say, should not be considered as
q proposal by the American govern
Tnent whom il naturally does not De-
toove 70 prose conditions for such an
agreement. though the question at is
sue mas a direct and far-rea ching in
terest for the government and people
Of the United States. The note says
the United states ventures solely .
a
can be conceded to d sincere frien
who is actuated by desire 10 cause
inconvenience 10 neither Of the TWO
nations. and possibly serve the COM
mon interests of humanity.
The suggestion is made that Ger
many and Great Britain should agree,
first that isolated drifting mines
should not be laid by either party,
that anchored mines should be laid
exclusively for defensive purposes.
within gun range Of haroors. and that
81 nair-s should bear the mark "
Re government Of origin and be s"
INSTRUCTED as to become harmless #
ter breaking loose from their anchor
ages
Concerning Submarines
I. is suggested, second that the sub
marines Of neither Of the TWO govern
ments should be employed to attack
merchant vessels of any nationality.
except for the purpose OF carr ing out
the right Of holding them up and
searching them: and. third. that mer-
camille ships Of neither Of the parties
should employ neutral flags as war
their identity Great Britain, il is sug-
gested, should agree that foodstuffs
shall not be placed on the list Of alb
solute contraband and that the Brit
ish authorities shall neither disturb
nor held up cargoes Of such goods
whom addressed TO agents in Ger
many. the names Of which are commu-
nicate3 by the United States govern
mart for the purposes Of receiving
such goods and handling them over
to licensed German retailers for fur
the- distribution to the civil popula
ton. Germany. il is contended. should
declare her agreement that foodsturs
from the United States or any other
neutral country. shall be addressed to
such agencies.
Finally. the American government
saws it wishes to safeguard itself
against the idea that II either ac-
knowledges or repudiates any right
on the part Of belligerents or ncutrals
established on the principles OF inter-
aational law The American govern
,nent would rather regard such an
~-.re.rnent as a nodus vivendi, which
- hased more on suitableness than on
,cgal right.
Germany's Reply
The German reply to the note OF the
United States was dispatches last
SUNDAY II begins as follows:
The German government has taken
note of the American suggestion WIN
lively interest and sees therein ne"
proof Of friendly feelings which are
fully reciprocated by Germany, the
suggestion corresponds also TO the
German wishes that the naval wa!
should be waged according to rules
which. without subjectins one or the
other belligerent powers TO one-sioeo
restrictions of methods of warfare
would take into consideration the in
ferests of neutrals as well as the laws
Of humanity.
"In this sense the German note OF Fep
Is has already pointed out that the OBJ
servance of the London declaration by
Germany's enemies would create a new
situation from which Germany would
gladly be prepared to draw conclusions
Starting from this conception. the Ier-
man government has submitted the
American suggestion to attentive exam
nation and believes that it can recog
niZe therein an effective basis for a
practical solution Of the questions at is-
sue
On particular suggestions contained in
American note the following remarks are
made: Germany would be prepared To
make the suggested, declaration concern
ing the unemployment of drifting
mines and the construction of anchored
mines, and further agrees with the sug-
gestion to attach a government mark ia
any mines which may be laid. On the
other hand, 1t appears to Germany not to
be practicable for the belligerent powers
fully to renounce the employment OF an
chored mines for offensive purposes.
Second, German submarines would
employ force against vessels Of whatso-
ever flag only insofar it is required
for the purpose of carrying out the right
20 hold I'D and earch. II the hostile ma
.ionality OF the ship or the presence OF
sontraband were proved the submarines
would proceed according to the general
International rule. The third as the
american note provides the above-men-
toned restriction in the employment of
>ubmarines, 1t follows the enemy men,
antile vessels should abstain from the
Sc Of neutral flags and other neutral
'gns. In this connection it is obvious
nat hostile mercantile vessels should not
e armed and should refrain from offer