Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-03-04
Berlin Sees in suggestions
from Washington Possible
Basis of Solution of Problem
of Mines and Submarines.

f the observance OF the London dec
l~aration by Germany's enemies would
create a new situation from which Ger
many would gladly be prepared to draw
| conclusions.
Starting from this conception the Ger
man government has submitted the
American suggestion to attentive ex'
animation and believes that II can
recognize therein an effectively suitable
! basis for a practical solution of the ques.
ton at issue"
USE OF MINES.
On particular suggestions contained In
the American note the following remarks
| are made:
Germany would be prepared to make
the suggested declarations concerning the
non employment of drifting mines and
the construction Of anchored mines and
further agrees with the suggestion to at
tach a government mark to any mines
which may be laid. On the other hand,
it appears to Germany not to be imprac-
ticable for the belligerent powers fully to
renounce the employment of anchored
mines for offensive purposes.
'Second-German submarines would
employ force against mercantile vessels
of whatsoever flag only in so far as 1t is
required for the purpose of carrying out
the rights to hold up and search. IF the
hostile nationality Of a ship or the pres
cnce of contraband We're proved. the sub.
marines would proceed according to tn
general international rules.
NEUTRAL FLAGS.
"Third-As the Amertcap pota p,oyiteS
for the above mentioned restriction in
the employment Of submarines it follows
that enemy mercantile vessels should
abstain from the use OF neutral flags
and other neutral signs. In this connec-
ton 1t is obvious that hostile mercantile
vessels should not be armed and should
refrain from offering violent resistance.
since such conduct, which is opposed to
International law, renders it impossible
for submarines to proceed in accordance
with international law.
"Fourth-The regulation of the legiti-
mate importation of food supplies to
Germany. as suggested by the American
government, appears in general to be
! acceptable. This regulation would, OF
course, be restricted to importation by
sea; but on the other hand it would
disp = iiIk'i VI la Ilcu-
trail ports.
Germany would, therefore,. he pre-
pared to make declarations such as are
provided for in the American note, sc
that the employment of imported food
supplies would be guaranteed to he ex-
clusively for the peaceful civil popula-
ton.
I'm this connection Germany must
| ~ tLoA a
ton also of other raw materials fol
peaceful economic rpo and in.
Guiding fodder. should be made posi-.
BILE. For this purpose the hostile gov.
ernments would have to allow free
passage to Germany Of Jaw materials
mentioned in the free list of the Lon
, don declaration and to treat in the
same manner as foodstufs those ma.
~terials contained in the list of condi-
tional ~contraband."
The note concludes as follows:
The German government hopes
that the understanding suggested by
the American government will. regart
being paid to the foregoing remarks
be realized and thai thereby peaceful,
neutral shipping and peaceful neutral
commerce will not have more to suf.
fer than Is absolutely necessary from
the effects of the naval warfare
Such effects, moreover, would be sub.
stantially diminished If. as already point
ed out in our note Of February 16, ways
could be found to exclude the importa-
ton of war material from neutral tc
belligerent States OF ships of whatsoever
flag.
The adoption of a definite attitude
must. of course. be postponed until the
German government on the basis of fur
ther communications from the American
government Is in a position to see wha,
obligations the British government on its
! side. is prepared to sur