Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-26
j. s. WANTS MINES
TAKEN FROM SEAS
Suggestion Made Informally to
Great Britain and Germany in
Interests of Humanity.
NO REPLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS
Neutral Governments Show Will
lingness to Join in Efforts to
Settle Perplexing Questions.

WASHINGTON, February 25-Thc
United States has suggested informally
10 Great Britain and Germany that i'm
tho interests of humanity and the safe
guarding OF legitimate commerce all
miles be removed from the high sens
except those directly necessary for ,h..
protection Of coast defenscs and har-
bors
rms suggestion, along with pro
posals designed to obtain Great Rrit-
ans acIuicsccncc in plan to hermit
distribution of foodstuffs to the civilian
population OF Germany and bring
about cessation of the German sub
marine warfare on merchant ships. has
been submitted by England 10 her
allies for considerations
lntimations have come to the Wash
ihstoh government that until the
British Cabinet acts and the a,,itudo
.of Franc" and Russia is learned no
reply can be given to the American
proposals This may require several
days.
In the meantime. Germany already
has manifested Willingness to make
concessions which gives officials here
ground for hope that Great Britain will
show conciliatory spirit.
NO MENTION or COURSE
IN EVENT OF REJE("rIoS
IL can be stated authoritativcly that
'he Ihltcd states made no mention of
""a' course II would pursue in the
e'en' OF rejection Of its proposals.
High officials Of the Washington gov
hpy rA,
over what might be the extent Of re-
taiiatory measures adopted bv the he'll
iIgerents If they continue to disregard
iously-acceptcd principles of in
ternational law. 1t is understood that
one OF the arguments used by the
United states is that If the policy of
starvation is put into effect by Great
Britain. the first TO feel the pinch of
hunger might be British French and
Russian prisoners.
Another suggestion said to have been
conveyed is that suffering forced on the
German civilian population might pro-
duce an unwholesome effect on the at
,itudc OF the American people toward
Great Britain
There is every evidence that neutral
governments have manifested more
than willingness to cooperate in Of
forts made here to assist in settle
ment of questions arising out of sub
marine and mine warfare Secretary
Bryan denied to-day that the United
States contemplated an embargo on
exports of foodstuns.
WOULD PIT AUTHORITY
IN PRESIDENTS HANDS
Following "a talk with President Will
son. Representative Porter, of Pennsyl-
vania. Republican. introduced a bill 10
authorize the President to lay. rcgu-
late and revoke embargoes on all ships
and vessels in United States ports or
United States or foreign vessels until
fifteen days after the commencement of
the next session of Congress
NO man. said Mr.. Porter. can
anticipate the emergencies likely to
arise in our foreign relations during
the next nine months. and Congress
should not adjourn without placing in
the Presidents hands every possible
assistance TO meet the complications as
they arise"
The ministers from Norway and Swe-
den and other neutral ENJOYS who have
inquired. some OF them on instructions
from their governments. have not been
given details OF the proposal because
formal and unofficial stage as yet
From the point OF view OF the Wash
ington government, Great Britain
would have much to gain from an ac-
ceptance OF the American proposals.
The abolition OF the war zone around
Great Britain and Ireland and the re-
moval of mines. 1t is argued. would
render the commerce of the allies safe
r. 4 NEVER SoITt:yJ,p
TO FIN RESPONSIBILITY
Originally when mines were laid in
the North Sea, Germany and Great
Britain accused each other OF being
the aggressor in this respect The re-
sponsibility for the initiative never was
fixed by the United States government
and no protest was made. The new
move by the United States would brush
aside all questions of culpability and
appeal to the belligercnts to sweep up
their mines and prevent further acct
dents such as already have bcfallcn
! thrcescore neutral vessels