Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-02-25
America May Place En-
barge ON All Foodstuffs,
Say Officials.
NO REPLIES FROM
THE SECRET NOTE
Government May Discon-
tinue Friendly Attitude
to Belligerents.

w BtliAln mas submitted TO her
allies. France and Russia, the pro-
posals made by United States govern
ment, designed to end the menace to
neutral commerce arising from the
retaliatory measures OF the European
belligerents toward each other.
Briefly, the American proposals,
which have been submitted to both
England and Germany, seek the elm
ination by Germany of the recently
prescribed war zone around Great
Britain and Ireland with its dangers
to neutral shipping through mines
and submarine torpedoes, and the
adoption by all the belllgerents of
definite policy with regard to the
shipment OF foodstuffs destined for
the civilian population of their ene-
mics.
1t is not expected that reply to
the informal communication from the
American government will he re-
ceived here for at least two days
From such preliminary observations
as American diplomatic Officers
abroad already have made, there is
said to be some encouragement Ia
hte manner OF the reception of the
proposals at London Germany is
inclined toward an acceptance of the
suggestions, 1t Is understood, but upon
the attitude OF Great Britain de-
pends the next move In the situation.
Consider Ncutrals.
The strong opposition which the
Scandinavian countries, Italy, Holland
and other neutrals have assumed to-
ward the retdliatory measures adopted
by the belligerents is playing a consid-
cradle part i'm the situation.
OthCial9 while retiCent about
what has been said TO Germany
and Great Britain In the latest
communications do not deny that
the gravity of the whole situation
mas been made unmitakably clear.
In some quarters today the sug-
gestIon was made, but without
confirmation from sources usually
well informed that an embargo
OF foodstuns from the United
States to both tho allies and Ger
many was being considered as the
next step I'm the event Of an alb
solute rejection Of the American
plan for amelorating the situa-
tlon.
1t became known that the latest
communication described as a con-
tidential memorandum was sent Sun
day 10 Ambassadors Page and Gerard
after conferences between President
Wilson Secretary Bryan and Coun-
scllOr Robert Lansing. The Amer
lcan government asked that the docu-
ment be regarded for the present as
strictly confidential.
Some officials think the most seri-
Gus effect Ct the submarine warfare
on merchant ships and the restric-
tions imposed on the shipment OF
foodsturs and conditional contrab band
has yet TO develop. They believe that
If the present situation continues
American exports will drop to a. con-
siderable extent.
May Abandon Friendly Attitude.
There Is no concealment Of the
feeling In high official quarters
that If the present tension over
the attitude of the belligerents
continues and any American lives
are proved 10 have been lost as a
result OF their activities. the
Washington government may be
called upon to abandon its pres
ent attitude of friendliness toward
all the warning powers.
While there was no official COM
ment today on the sinking OF the
American steamers Carib and Evelyn,
because OF the absence OF definite in
formation as TO the causes OF their de-
struction, II is understood that the lat
est communication from the United
States urging an acceptance OF its pro-
posals deals with the grave dangers
OF neutral vessels that have arisen
through the mines already latd and
threats TO strew more OF the explosives
In the high seas.
II is taken for granted that the re-
ports Of the captains OF the two ves-
sells followed instructions given them
by British naval officers will be
brought to the attention OF the Lon
don foreign office so that the British
admiralty may investigate the truth
or falsity of the reports.
BERLIN. Feb. "a (Nia London,
1000 p. M - The American
Identical note on marine warfare
sent by the United States govern
ment to Great Britain. and Germany
Is now in the hands Of Dr. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg. imperial Ger
man chancellor and Gottlieb Won
Jagow. the German foreign minister.
The German government Is not yet
ready to make a statement regarding
the contents OF the note. bat Ii is
said that they may be regarded as
the basis for further negotiations.
Certain OF the proposals. as an ex-
ample. the removal OF the mine fields
(Cautintfod on page I9iVaA