The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-16

else the right of appealing direct 20 he
British Government. Washington en-
cials apparently hope. however. that the
mere forwarding If tho Information H.
the hands Of thus Government. togcthcl
with an expression Of opinion As to Tn,
force Of this evidence. will result iu
Great Britain voluntarily taking action
before the prize court decision has been
rendered.
In submitting the German note to- Soc
Rotary Bryan to-day Count won Bern
storff explained that It was not intended
as a formal reply TO the American pro
test against the German war zone de
cree. As a matter Of fact the note had
been submitted TO all neuti". overs
whose shipping might be affected by
GermanN's action. Nevertheless II
clearly indicated the general course that
Germany will pursue in making its for
NAL reply to the United States.
As disclosed 10y to-dey's cominunlca-
tion Germany's response To the Ameri-
can representations will depend entirely
upon Great Britain. n Great Britain
should modify her plan trough action
IN the Wilhclmina case Germany would
he disposed to alter her war zone decree.
The German Embassy to-day issued "A
statement giving an outline OF the note.
Indications that England might re-
verse her policy In so far as the Will
helmina case might operate as "A prece-
dent Is understood TO have been mani
Tested by the British Ambassador in a
talk which he had this afternoon with
Counsellor Lansing Of the state Depart
ment. The Ambassador Is said to have
made Il clear that II the British prize
courts understand that the cargo OF the
Wilhelmlna will not reach the military
forces uf Germany and that only the
civil population will benefit the vessel
and contents will probably be released.
woutd clear Up situation.
Should this happen state Department
officials do not hesitate to say mat the
entire situation would he relieved Of the
tension which now exists. For this rea-
son the Department is taking eNtraor-
binary steps TO acquaint the British Gov
with all evidence tending to
show the r.Sll destination Of the Will
helmina cargo.
That Italy has followed tho lead of
the United states IN presenting to Ger
many It's disapproval with the war zone
decree WAS confirmed this afternoon at
the Italian Embassy. II was stated that
the protest of the Italian Government
had been a verbal one. submitted at
Rome to the German ambassador.
II was acknowledged at TIE state
Department to-day that this Government
realizes that the situation Is to some
extent embarrassed by the apparent mis-
understanding in Germany and England
as to what cach country means by its
attitude toward food shipments TO Ger
many. II was pointed out that whh'
England Is convinced apparently tha'
by act OF TIE German Reichs-
tag means to contiscate all food ~
Germany for use Of the army. Germany
II insisting that the act of the ReichstaG
does not apply TO food imports.
On the other hand the impression IS
evident in Germany. the Department Is
advised. that England is determined &c
hold UP all food whether destined for th'
Germa army or not. secretary Bryan
this afternoon expressed the hope that
the United States IN its diplomatic cor
respondence with both countries mig
succeed in clearing up any misundeI'
standing of the kind which exists.