Evening star., 1915-02-14

and Ireland, will be relaxed If Ger
many is given assurance of a contin-
uous food supply for her non-com-
batant population. This is practically
what Count Won Bernstorff admitted
to State Department officials last even
ing, emphasizing the importance that
the German government places on un-
restricted shipments of food.
The German ambassador was in con-
ference with Secretary Bryan and
Counselor Lansing.
While State Department officials re-
fused to make any statement on this sub
ject last night. 1t was made clear that
the position of the German government
is that the proclamation of a war zone
and campaign against enemy merchant
ships was simply a retaliation against
England's alleged violations of the
declaration of London in hindering con-
ditional contraband destined for civilians
ing to the German ambassador. is no
less inhumane than the campaign on
merchant vessels.
View of American Note.
officials admitted that the American
note to Germany was open to the con-
struction that no vessels, either bellig-
erent or neutral, should be sunk un-
less previously visited and an oppor-
tunity given for the taking off of pas
sengers. 1t was reiterated that. while
the rules of international law clearly
compelled such steps, the position
taken was based largely on human
itarian grounds.
An official who assisted in the prepa-
ration of the American note to Ger
many pointed out that the strong
warning tone of the communication
was not intended as a threat, but in
reality was friendly act done in a
spirit of precaution lest the sinking of
an American vessel with Americans
aboard inflame public opinion in the
United States to a degree which could
not be estimated in advance.
Explains German Stand.
The German ambassador. it is under
stood. did not discuss the intentions of
his government in connection with the
campaign on merchant
ships. but confined himself to explain
ing at length the German point of view
on conditional contraband.
He holds that the United States, in
contending for a strict observance of
the rights of neutrals. should interest
itself in seeing that conditional contra
band is not held up on the high seas.
The rules of international law even
previous to the declaration of London,
the German ambassador was under
stood to have pointed out, require proof
that the articles are destined to bel
ligerent forces
Modifies Its DEGREES.
He said the German government had
given assurances and also had modi-
fled its DEGREES. SO that imported food
stuffs would not be appropriated by
the army. The German government
also is willing to permit American con-
sular officers to witness the sale and
of such foodstuffs to de-
termine whether or not they actually
are reaching the civil population of
Germany
The ambassador discussed to some
extent the case of the Wilhelmina, an
American steamer seized by Great
Britain on its journey to Germany with
foodstuffs. He believes the American
government should take an interest in
many. No formal action has been taken
by the State Department beyond re-
questing Great Britain to postpone
prize court proceedings until the own
ers of the vessel, who have submitted a
brief to the department. are enabled to
discuss the case further here.
Question of Cargoes.
The question of cargoes, such as that
Of the Wilhelmina. which were shipped
before the German decree taking over
the national food supply became effect
i've, probably will be covered fully in
the American reply to the British note
now being transmitted from London and
dealing with the general subject of neu-
trail commerce. Most of the communica-
tion has been deciphered and it is un-
derstood to be full of statistics.
AS for conditional contraband, the fact
ant bod cob
over the supply Of grain and flour is
cited by the British government as
proof that foodstuffs consigned to
civilians really would be used by the
army.
Claim of First Note.
This point also probably will be dis
cussed at length in the American reply.
for in the first note from the Washing
ton government it was stated that a
mere presumption as to the destination
OF conditional contrabrand, even
though shipped to port held by bel
ligerent forces, was not sufficient rea-
son Tor preventing the delivery of the
shipment, and that in each case proof
or the destination must be shown
Both Ambassadors Page and Gerard
sent brief messages to the State De-
partment last evening declaring they
had presented the respective communi-
cations to the British and German for
eign Offices. They did not add any
comment as to the manner of recep-
tion of the notes.