Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-02-18
GERMANY WILL
EXERCISE CARE
Belief That She Has Issued
Orders Regarding
Blockade
WILL NOT AROUSE y. S.
Close Search Of French Steamer by
Teuton Submarine Before De-
stroying it is Significant.

Washington, Feb. l8--The text
Of the British supplementary note
M reply to the protest of the United
States last December against Brl-
tish interference with neutral trade
was made public at the State De-
partment yesterday. The document
OF 1000 words, for the most part, is
taken up with demonstration Of the
British contention that American
trade with Europe is not suffering
on account of British naval action.
Because of the menace to american
trade in the German war zone de-
cree. which Germany declares is due
to the British policy regarding food
stuffs, what the latest British note
has to say or this subject is regard
ed as by far the most important
portion Of the communication.
The text of note from the Ger
man Ambassador giving the reasons
for Germany's claim that its decree
for the appropriation Of foodstufTs
does not warrant Great Britain III
regarding all food consigned to Ger
many as destined for the German
government and suggesting super
vision of the distribution Of such con.
signments by representatives of the
United States as a means OF tonlng
down the British. policy ana possibly
relieving the German "war zone de-
cree also was made public ny the
State Department.
Neither note gives Indication of an
intention by the governments con-
cerned to relax the naval policies
that have caused what is considered
here situation Of great seriousness.
The British note declares that the
United States cannot expect Great
britain to be bound by rules and
precedent after Germany has de-
cIared her intention Of sinking mer-
chant vessels without vcrltlcatlon
of nationality or character and With
out regard to the lives Of those on
board.
Amsterdam, Feb. lS-Dehnite re-
ports have been received here from
Berlin that the Kaiser will receive
the American Ambassador. James
a. Gerard, at koenigsberg to dis
cuss the war zone decree Of Ger
mary.
l, is reported the Kaiser then will
ano!oeiZe personally to him Tor the
hostile incident which occurred IN
the Winter Garden. Berlin's Princ'-
ral music hall, on February $.
Washington, Feb. 1S--With Ger
mauys announced blockade Of Great
Britain effective today, with its
sinister warning to neutral commerce
the Administration is awaiting de-
velopments in the zone exposed to
German submarine attacks.
While it is freely admitted that
The situation is extremely critical
and fraught with grave international
! possibilities, an air of optimism is
manifest both at the White House
and the State Department.
Secretary of State Bryan had a
; long conference early today with
President Wilson relating to the sit
nation as regards neutral shipping
in the German war zone. Although
Mr.. Bryan declared that he had re-
ce;ved no word from Ambassador
Gerard. Administration officials gene
rally expressed confidence that Ger
man submarines would not attack
American merchant vessels. What
ihis confidence is based on could not
be be learned
The greatest secrecy is maintain
ed.
Il is known that number Of dip
lomatic messages have been passing
today with President Wilson relating
), l.. the situation.
Officials here seem to think tha
regardless of the sinister warning tt
neutral commerce contained in the
German decree, German submarine
officers have been given explicit in