New-York tribune., 1915-03-18
Washington, February 20, 1915

Totary OF Stdle W INV Shh'Na'
hassadors at London and Berlin:
Washington, February 20, 1915
You will please deliver TO Sir Ed
ward Grey the following identc no'e
- ,,h;cb we are sending England and
Germany:
II view Of the correspondence which
has passed between this government
and Great Britain and Germany, re-
snectively, relative TO the declaration
~ q war zone by the German Admiral
ty and the use of neutral flags by Brit
,sb merchant vessels, this government
ventures 10 express the hope that the
two belligerent governments may
through reciprocal concessions, ma
basis for agreement which will relieve
neutral ships engaged in peaceiui
commerce from the great dangers
which they will incur in the high seas
adjacent TO the coasts of the belllger-
ents.
The government of the United States
respectfully suggests that an agree
ment in terms like the following might
be entered into. This suggestion IS
not TO be regarded as in any sense
proposal made by this government Tor
4, of course, fully recognizes that 1t
IS not its privilege to propose terms
of agreement between Great Britain
and Germany, even though the matter
,t 70
the United States are directly ana
deeplv interested. It is merely ventur-
ing 10 take the liberty which 1t hopes
NAV be accorded a sincere friend de-
s;rous of embarrassing neither nation
involved and Of serving, if it may, the
common interests of humanity. The
course outlined is offered in the hope
TINT il may draw forth the views and
elicit the suggestions of the British
and German governments on matter
of capital interest to the whole world
Germany and Great Britain to agree
I. That neither will SOW any float
ing mines. whether upon the high seas
or in territorial waters; that neither
will plant on the high seas anchored
mines. except within cannon range ol
harbors for defensive purposes only
and that all mines shall bear the stamp
of the government planting them and be
so constructed as TO become harmless
70 separated from their moorings.
.. That neither will use subma-
lives n attack merchant vessels of any
nationality. except TO enforce the right
of visit and search.
8. That each will require their re-
spective merchant vessels not TO use
neutral flags for the purpose OF as
guise or ruse de guerre.
What United States Proposed.
Germany to agree: That all impor-
ts+ions of food or foodstuifs from the
limited States (and from such other
peu+ral countries as may ask III INTO
Germany shall be consigned TO agencies
to he designated by the United States
government; that these american
agencies shall, have entire charge ana
control without interference on the
part of the German government OF the
roceint and distribution of such impor-
.otiops and shall distribute them sole
Iv IN retail dealers bearing licenses
fron, the German government emitting
them TO receive and furnish such food
ond foodstuffs to non-combatants only;
that any violation of the terms OF the
rstailers' licenses shall work forfeit
ure of their rights to receive such 1000
snd foodstuffs for this purpose, ana
that such food and foodstuffs will not
ne re1uisitioned by the German gov
crnment for any purpose whatsoever
or be diverted to the use OF the armed
|o~ces of Germany.
,;reat Britain TO agree: Ihat 1ooo
md foodstufs will not be placed upon
- the absolute contraband list, and that
N shipments Of such commodities Will
not be inteIfered with or detained by
british authorities if consigned to
: agencies designated by the United
States government in Germany Ior the
receiut and distribution OF such car
goes TO licensed German retailers 1or
distribution solely 10 non-combstsn'
population. -,
. In submitting this proposed basis OF
agreement this government does not
wish 10 be understood as admitting or
, DENYING any belligerent or .neutra!
ripht established by the principles cf
, International law, but would consider
The agreement, if acceptable to the IN,
torested powers, q mOdus vivendi based
, unon expediency rather than legaI
D. riebt. and as not binding upon the
ii1jted States either in its present
form or in modified form until ac-