The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-15

case will demonstrate what her policy
Is 10 be, whether she will observe the
rules OF civilized warfare or whether
she intends 10 pursue a policy of
starving the German people who are
not bearing arms.
The German Government has as
sured the State Dcpa rtment that the
Wifnelmina's cargo was intended ex-
clusively FOR the civil population of
Germany. and that the German Cow
eminent was willing to furnish guar
antees that 1t would not fal. into the
hands of the military forces OF the
empire.
Its Guarantees.
the German Government informed
the State Department that 1t was
willing to have the food distributed
by American consular or diplomatic
officers The German ambassa dor
has informed the State Department
further that the recent decree of the
German Government taking posses.
sion OF all fcodstuffs in tho empire
applied only 20 domestic and not TO
imported foodstuffs. This statement
has been confirmed by cable advices
from Ambassador Gerard.
What Germany would like to see
WIG AAitEu StdArH uo lS ~ LAKE a
strong stand in the Wilheimina case
based soialy upon the protection Of
American trade Germany has given
the United States assurances in re-
gard to the distribution of the food
in the hope that this Government will
embody the facts in q defense OF the
WilheImfna case.
| Thus far this government has not
made any representations to Great Bri-
! At Il f.L
Germany Is willing TO offer. but II
such assurances come in the form OF a
note. It Is likely that the United States
will act
would Make For Peace.
OF course. anything that this gov
eminent does will be solely for the
protection OF its own trade rights. but
incidentally II n satisfactory under
standing were had with Great Britain In
regard to the delivery of the wilhel-
mina'a cargo In Germany. II would be
/ long step toward clearing the dan
gerous situation that has arisen
through Gernany's recent war zone
threat
II was learned here today that Ger
many's war zone announcement had two
purposes. One was a warning OF the
intention of Germany to retaliate
against what she regards as Englands
attempt TO Starva Germany regardless
Of whether combatants or noncomba :
tants were to suffer. The other pur-
pose was TO prevent the transportation
of troops and munitin OF war from
England and the continent.
should the Wilhelmina case result
in removing the necessity for retalia-
ton. the second phase of the German
program will go unaitered. and all
British ships will be destroyed which
are suspected Of. carrying British sol
diers or munitions OF war.
Should Great Britain continue 70
maintain the attitude shown in the
Wi1helmina's detention there probably
will be no change In Germany's plan
OF campaign. Notwithstanding the
protest Of the United States. II the
British government intends to exert
every effort to deprive the civil popu-
iation OF Germany of an adequate
food supply, then the. German gov
ernment. 1t was explained today, will
use every agency OF modern warfare
to destroy Great Britains food car
goes. which for the most part Is car
ried in British bottoms
II is expected. however, that Ger
many will be willing to take such
steps as 1t can to prevent the sink
ing of any American merchant Ves-
sells which may be passing through
the war zone, or which may he en-
gaging in neutral commerce.