New Britain herald., 1915-02-26
Regarding foOdSIuitS and Submarine
 Blockade Taking Definite Form.
OFFERS SAID 10 BE ACCEPTABLE
Certain of Them However Will Be Subjected to More or Less Import
 Also Considering United States Vote.

Berlin. Feb. 26. Via London 12:1 q. m.-The American note to Ger many and Great Britain on the sub ieCt of foodStuffs to civilian popula- tion of belligerents and submarine activities d CODY of which was hand ed to the German foreign office by Ambassado Gerard February 22, has been a subject of exhaustive discus sion for the past two days between the German imperial authorities con- cerned and the American ambassa- - dor.
 As a result the German reply is gradually taking definite form. The correspondent of the Associated Press has been assured on reliable author ity that the American proposals are regarded as constituting satisfac- tory basis for future negotiation and
 that they are themselves in many re- spectS' acceptable. Certain of the proposals, however, will be subjected to more or less important modified tions.
 Government circles have expressed themselves as impressed by the friend i ly spirit in which these proposals have been advanced, and the evident desire of the American administra tion to reach d solution of the diff faculties involved in the present meth ods of maritime warfare. satisfactory to belligerents and neutrals alike. Three Principal Subjects. The American note probably will
 not be published here until the Ger man response has been sent forward
 but there is good reason to believe l jects. namely: Mine and submarine blockade of coasts; the use of float ing mines and the entry of foodstuffs for civilian populations.
 It is difficult to secure any au- i thoritative expression of opinion con.
 corning the German point of view | on these points, or to overcome tho
 censorship restrictions in treating O.
 this matter in telegraphic news de
 spatches sent out from Berlin. Judg ] ing however, from a general knowI edge Of German policy and intentions il may be said with confidence that little difficulty will be experienced, SC far as Germany is concerned. in reaching an agreement for the dis continuance of floating mines The attitude of the German admiralty on mine planting along hostile coasts however, is at the present time un- known.
 Hope For Early Replies. Washington. Feb. 26.-Administra .
 ton officials were hoping today for
 early responses to the American gov
 ernmcnt's informal proposals to Great
 Britain and Germany for the olimina
 ton of dangers to neutral shipping.
 These suggestions include removal of
 all unnecessary mines in the high seas
 and provide for the distribution of
 fCodstuffs to the German civilian
 population and the abandonment of
 the German subnarine warfare on
 merchant ships.
 The American proposals have been
 submitted by England to her allies
 France and Russia, for consid eration
 At the same time the British cabinet
 las taken them under consideration.
 Made special Ports."
 While merchant vessels still are
 heinz destroyed by mines and tor
 pt does, Secretary McAdoo of the
 treasury department has ordered that
 all ports in the British Isles, including
 the continental port of Bordeaux. be
 made special ports requiring special
 rates of war insurance from the gov
 ernment bureau. This was done be-
 cause of danger to ships in the new