The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-16

plain fntimation to Great Britain that
the United States believes. upon the
evidence at its disposal, that the VIII
heimina's cargo Of food, which was
consigned to Bremen, ought to be re.
leased and the vessel permitted tn
continue on her voyage.
Question of Concessions
Inc communications which the
United states has laid before Great
Britain contain the assurances thar ~
England will reverse her policy of
holding up shipments of foodstufrs CON
signed to noncomhatants in GERMANY
lhe iatter government will modify her
war zone decree
The communications submitted 70 tho
British foreign office will contain III.
assurances which have been given TO
this government as to the nonmiIitarx
destination of the Wilhelmina's cargo
Ihese assurances include an offer hy.
the German government to have the
1000 distributed to civilians under the
supervision OF American consular Off
GERS. The communications also tncJuda
the results Of this governments own
Investigations through Ambassador
Gerard OF the decree recently issued hy
the Kaiser taking possession OF all
-the foodstuffs In the empire. Germany
has contended that this decree annIied
only 70 domestic, not to imported food
supplies, and Ambassador Gerard in
MS report to the State Department has
confirmed this statement.
Basis of England's Action.
england, on the other hand. has
iaaae TINS decree the chief basis of
her action in OBTAINING the WI
heimina, because under it, she con
tended all of the foodstuffs which
entered Germany were TO be seized
for military purposes
While the action taken BY the State
department will amount practically
to a request of Great Britain To re-
lease the vessel, and her cargo tech
meal 20 such formal request can
De made at this stage of the proceed
ings. Suc1 action would not be in
order until after the British prize
court has reached it's decision. should
this decision be adverse 10 the owners
OF the vessel the United State would
then, of course. be able to exercise
the right % appealing direct to the
British govern ment
That Italy has followed the lead of
the United States in presenting to
Germany its disapprovai with the
war zone decree was confirmed this
afternoon al the Italian embassy 1t
was stated that the protest of the
one. submitted at Rome to the Ger
man ambassador
Not Formal Reply.
In submitting the German note to
Secretary Bryan today. Count Won
Bernstorff explained that IT was not
intended as formal reply to the
american protest against the German
war zone decree, AS a matter of fact
today's note had been submitted to
a M hos oh fr1
might be affected by Germany's ac-
ton. Nevertheless. the mote clearly
indicated the general course that
germany will pursue In making it's
formal reply to the United States.
The German Note
The note declares that Germany's
plans To attack British merchantmen
was a retal.atory measure. adopted
because OF the alleged violation OF
International law by Great Britain in
trying TO starve the noncom blatant
population of Germany, and that the
latter government IL ready TO with
draw from its purpose az expressed
IN the naval war zone decree as far
as 1t applies TO merchant vessels. as
soon as Great Britain. either of Its
own volition or as result of repre-
sensations from the neutrals, expresses
her Willingness to return to the
usual practices of International law
on the question OF foodstuffs
says British ships Armed.
The German note adds that the Rer-
lin government has information that
English merchant vessels are being
armed and have orders to sail in
groups for protection. and, further.
that they would try to sink subma-
rines. II declared that there was now
no question of searching, them but the
result would be that German ships
would fight them. because they are now
held to be warships.
The note declares further that Great
Britain, according to the information of
Germany. intended to use neutral flags.
and that therefore neutral shipping
would be in danger in the war zone.
1t was urged. therefore. that mean
while neutral shipping observe the re-
quest. Of Germany and go around the