Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-16
Germany'S Action
 is RetaIiatOry
WILLING TO MODIFY IF GREAT
 BRITAIN RELENTS.
A SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE
Willing to Recede from Plan of De- stroying Merchant Ships if Great Britain Will Allow Shipment of Foodstuffs to German Civilians

Washington, Feb. 15.-With only three days remaining before the Ger effect its proclamation ordering a sub marine campaign on enemy merchant ships, developments in the diplomatic situation moved rapidly today through the medium of the United States gov ernment custodian of the diplomatic interests of the various beIligerents Count Non BernstoTff. the German ambassador delivered note to the United States which was promptly transmitted to Great Britain in which Germany offered to reCede from her plan of destroying enemy merchant ships if restrictions placed by the al lies on shipments of conditional con traband and fOodstuffs destined to the civilian population of Germany were removed.
 Arrnine of British Merchantmen.
 Otherwise the note announced. Ger many proposes to put into effect the original proclamation adding also the strewing of mines in waters surround ing Great Britain and Ireland Al legged arming of British merchant yes Sels is given by the German govern ment as ground for attacking enemy merchant ships without search or pre- vious visit, regarding merchant craft hereafter IS in the category of War ships.
 The ambassadors communication was sent from Berlin before the re cent American note was delivered by- Ambassador Gerard and is supplement tai to the German foreign office mem 0randum on the subject of the new war zones.
 British Note Received.
 At the same time that the German ambassador conferred with Secretary Bryan and Counsellor Lansing, the complete text of the British reply to the American note of protest on neu- tr31 shipping, dated Dec. 26 was re- ceived. It was laid before President Wilson. Besides giving statistics on neutral commerce and entering q gen eral denial that there had been any unwarrauted interference with legiti- mate shipments. the new note con tains a statement from Great Britain that the recent government decree. taking over the flour and grain supply in Germany, required added precau- tons on the part of the allies that contra band might not be permitted tn reach the armed forces of the enemy.
 Text of German Note.
 Following is the text of the German ambassadors note.
 According to absolutely reliable in formation, British merchant ships in tend to oppose armed resistance to German men of war in the area. de clared as war zones by the German admiralty.
 Some of these ships were already armed with British naval guns. Now all the others are supposedly being equipped in a similar way. Merchant ships have been instructed to sail in groups and to ram German subma- rines. while the examination is pro ceeding or should the submarines lay alongside to throw bombs upon them or else to attempt to oVerpower the examining party coming on board. A very high premium had been offered for the destruction of the first German submarine by a British merchant yes seI.
 British Ships Not UndeFended.
 s'Therefore. British merchant ships cannot any more be considered as un- defended. so that they may be at tackled by German war vessels with out warning or search. The British admitted that instructions have been given to misuse neutral flags. It is almost certain that British merchant vessels will by all means try to con ceaI their identity. Thereby it has all so become almost impossible to ascer- tain the identity of neutral ships until they sail in daylight under cover, as all measures suggested bv neutrals. for instance painting of the ships in the national culors, may be promptly initiated by British ships.
 Masked British Ehips.
 The attacks to be expected by masked British merchant vessels make a search impossible as the examining party and the submarines themselves would be exposed to destruction
 Under these circumstances the safe ty of neutral shipping in the war zone around the British Isles is seriously threatened. There is also an increased danger resulting from mines as these will be laid iu the war zone to a great most urgently warned against enter ing that area while the course around Scotland will be safe.
 British Destruction of Neutral Trade.
 .'Germany has been compelled to re sort to this kind of warfare by the murderOus ways of British naval war fare. which aims at the destruction of legitimate neutral trade and at star vation of the German people. Ger many will be obliged to adhere to those announced principles till Eng land submits to the recognized rules of warfare established 0v the declara- tions of Paris and London or till she is compelled to do so by the neutral powers"
 In connection with the latest repre- sentations to London. regarding the officials said today that TOT the owners or the W1l- helmina's cargo established to the sat isfaction of the state department the fact that 1t is not intended for thA German army or the German govern ment, which would except it from seizure under the declaration of Lon don. It was pointed out that the rec ord also discloses the fact that the cargo was dispatched before the Brit ish government issued it's official note that food supplies for Germany would be regarded as contraband