South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-18
It's PreS't Wilson's "MOye" in
Diplomatic Game Between
Allies and u. S. Resulting
from Blockade Declaration.
FIRST NOTES PROVIDE
BASIS FOR NEGOTIATING
American Proposal of COmprO-
mise Is Received FaVorabIy
by Germany but England
Refuses to Consider Plan.

WASHINGTON. March 1S.-It was
Pres't wilson's move today i'm the
diplomatic games between the United
States and the allies resulting from
England's blockade" controlling "aH
passage to and from Germany by sea-"
The publication of ali tine notes ex-
changed by the governments involved
showed the United States to be prac-
ucaHy where it sVarted iu it's efforts
20 prevent Interference with the for
eign trade of this country.
This left only two courses open for
the administration. in the opinion of
officials and diplomats. to accept the
form of blockade adopted by England
and France or make further protest
against it, The president i'm his recent
talks with visitors indicated that this
government would make another Wig
orous effort for free use of the seas.
and the administrations experts are
known TO be gathering new material
for the communication that is expected
tO be sent across the Atlantic within
few days. So many reasons are IN
VOlVed 10 was pointed out that time
would be required TO study them A
slight concession to the interest of
American shippers was found by the
administration i'm the explanation OF
the allies of how they viii force the
blockade. This was the abandonment
of the right of conhscatiOn of cargoes
usually given 20 belligerents establish
ing q blockade
The announcement of the restriction
of thc blockade against Germany tO
European seas and the Mediterranean
came as a surprise TO Washington Of
hCialdom and there were intimadOns
ian high administration quarters that
his was comforting. The general i'm
preston i'm diplomatic circles. how
over. was that the exchange OF notes
between the governments thus tar had
served only TO make clear their atti-
tudes and provide basis for possible
claims for damages by the American
shippers i'm the future
How thc Powers stand.
The first definite statement of the
real character of the measures adopt
cd by Brcat Britain and her allies for
restricting the trade OF Germany was
obtained last night when Sec'y Bryan
made public the text of an the recent
notes exchanged between the United
States government and Germany and
the allies regarding the freedom OF
legitimate American commerce I'm the
war zones. These notes show that
Great Britain and France stand firm
in their announced intention 90 cut Off
all trade with Germany.
The communications revealed that
the United States government realZ-
ing the difficulties of maintaining am
effective blockade hy a close guard OF
an enemy coast ON account of the
new developed activity of sub
marines. asked that "a radius OF ac-
tivIty" be defined. Great Britain and
France replied with the announce
ment that the operations of blockade
would not ha conducted outside OF
European waters including the Med
iterranean.'
The definition of radius of ac-
tivity" for the allied fleet lu European
waters. including the Mediterranean
is the first intination of the scograph-
ical limits of the rcprlsal order It's
limits were not given more exactly.
the allies contend. because Germany
was equally indefinite i'm procloimius
an the waters surrounding Great Brit
ain and ireland "a war zone
The measures adopted are those of
81 blockade recognized in international
law. but q new and originol form. I'm
his note of March 15. Sir Edward
Grcy replying 10 tho inquiries of the
United States re-arJIu-. -.the scope and
mode of applying The restrictive
measures asserts that tine real object
of the allies -n "suCcintly stated. 10
establish blockade to prevent veS-
sells from carrying goods FOR or conn
ina from Germany.
VIII Not Conn~catc Goods.
But instead eff cuulsC- ting nom
Contrahand goods. as would Toe done
under the generally recoEnized kind OF
blockade Sir Edward Grey explains
that the allies 'in their desire to ale
leyiatc the burden which the exist
ence Of 81 state of war must inevitably
impose on neutral sea borne com
merce. they declare their intention 90