Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-02-25
NEW NOTES SENT
TO BELLIGERENTS
GERMANY ASKED TO ABANDON
RECENTLY PROCLAIMED
BLOCKADE.
Peaceful Nations Of Europe in Accord
With Demands Upon Warning Pow
ers by America.

erS ny america
Washington. D. c, Feb. 25.-Great
Britain has submitted TO her allies,
France and Russia, the proposals
made by the United States govern
ment designed 10 end the menace to
neutral commerce arising from the
retauatory measures OF the European
beIligerents toward each other.
Briefly the American proposals,
which have been submitted TO both
Great Britain and Germany. seek the
elimination by Germany of the recent
ly prescribed war zone around Great
Britain and Ireland with its dangers
TO neutral shipping through mines and
submarine torpedoes and the adoption
by all the belligerents of q definite
policy with regard 10 the shipment OF
fO0dstUus destined for the civilian pop
ulation OF their enemies.
DO is not expected that "a reply TO
the informal communication from the
American government viii be received
here for al least two days. From such
preliminary observations as American
diplomatic officials abroad already
have made, there is said to be some
announcement in the manner of the
reception of the proposals at London.
Germany is inclined toward an accept
ance OF the suggestions, il IS under
stood. but upon the attitude of Great
Britain depends the next move in the
situation. The strong opposition
which the Scandinavian countries, /
Italy. Holland and other neutrals have
assumed toward the retaliatoTy meas |
ures adopted by the belligerents is l
playing a considerable part in the sit |
uation. Although the American pro- /
posals have not been communicated TO /
other neutrals. il may be stated that I
practically all the neutral govern I
meuts OF Europe are in accord with .
the Washington government.
Embargo Next?
Officials. while reticent about what
hes been said 10 Germany and Great
Britain in the latest communication,
90 not deny that the gravity of the
whole situation has been made unmis-
.akably clear In some quarters We'd
lesday the suggestion was made, but
without confirmation from sources MS
laIlv well informed that an embargo
IN exports OF foodstuffs from the Unit
I'd States TO both the allies and Ger
many was being considered as the
next step in the event of an absolute
election Of the American plan for
OF the situation.
II became known that the latest
described as conf
iential memorandum, was sent to Am
,assadors PAGE and Gerard at London
md Berlin. respectively. on Sunday
,fter the conferences between Presi-
lent Wilson. Secretary Bryan and
COUNSELLOR Robert Lansing. 1t was
leemed neces Iary to guard the con-
ents of the proposal with great sec
.ecv. so that public references to them
night not embarrass the belligerents
n their discussion of the suggestions
rhe American government. moreover,
sked that the document be regarded
or the present as strictly confidential
Is few officials and practically none
# the diplomatic corps are aware OF
he terms of the arrangement sug-
.ested by the United States, official
await with much anxi-
tv the results of the present parleys-
Iigh officials are giving practically
II their attention TO the subject, to
ne exclusion Oh SUN ANt-eAeA4s' - ~--~ I
Chinese negotiations and
Iexican problems.
While complaints have been few
ONE officials think the most serious
nect OF the submarine warfare on
Merchant ships and the restrictions
nposed on the shipment of foodstuffs
nd conditional contraband, has yet to
eyelop. They believe that if the pres :
NJ situation continues. American ex-
orts viii drop TO a considerable ex- [
ant
There is no concealment. either. OF d
lie feeling in high official quarters, e
,at If the present tension over the
ttitude OF the belligerents continues
nd any American lives are proved 10 d
ave been lost as a result of their &C
vities. the Washington government q
ay be called upon TO abandon its >
resent attitude of friendliness to- i
ard all the warning powers. Il
Bloomington. Ill.-Claiming that $500 T
due him for services as pastor OF o.
ethodist churches OF Edgar county, "
ev. J. c. Robinette has filed suit for II
Ia sum against Rev. c. F. Baker. b'
-esiding elder OF the Nation dis ii
let az
Maquon. III. .-Aneging alienation OF is