The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-03
Want Mines MOVED
ENGLAND SENDS AMERICAN NOTE
TO RUSSIA and FRANCE
ATTITUDE IS UNKNOWN

Washington Says Germany Has Mani
tested Willingness to Make Con-
cessions-High Officials Acknowl-
edge Seriousness of Situation
NeutraIs Are Interested.
The United States has suggested
| informally to Great Britain and Ger
many that, in the interests of hu-
manity and The safeguarding of legiti-
mate commerce, all mines be remoV-
ed from the high seas, except those
| directly necessary for the protection
Of coast defences and harbors.
Great Britain, according to adVlces
received at Washington, has submit
| ted to her allies, France and Russia,
proposals made by the United States,
designed to end the menace to neu-
rral commerce arising from retalla-
tory measures Of the European bel
ngerents towards each other
Intimations have come to the
Washington government that until
| the British cabinet acts and the atti-
tude Of France and Russia is learned,
no reply can be given to the Ameri-
can proposals. This may require sew
eral days.
In the meantime, Germany already
has manifested a willingness to make
concession, which gave officials IN
Washington hope that Great Britain
will show conciliatory spirit.
It can be stated authoritiVely that
the United States made no mention
Of what course it would pursue in
the event Of rejection of its proposals.
Briefly the American proposals,
submitted to both England and Ger
many, seek the elimination by Ger
many of the recently prescribed war
zone, with it's adoption by all the bel
ligerents Of definite policy as to
shipments Of foodstuffs to the civil
ian population Of their enemies.
From such preliminary observa-
tions as American diplomatic officials
abroad already have made, there is
said to be some encouragement in the
manner Of the reception Of the pro-
pcsais at London. Germany is in
clined towards On acceptance Of the
suggestions, it is understood, but on
Great Britain's attitude depends the
next move.
The strong opposition which other
neutrals have assumed towards the
retaliatory measures adopted by the
belligerents is playing considerable
part in the situation. Although the
American proposals have not been
communicated to other neutrals, It
may be said that virtually all the
European neutrals are in accord with
the Washington government.
High officials Of the Washington
government have shown much solici-
tude over what might be the extent
of retaliatory measures adopted by
the belligerents If they continue to
disregard previously accepted princi-
pies Of international law. It is un-
derstood that one of the arguments
used by the United States is that if
the policy of starvation is put into
effect by Great Britain, the first to
feel the pinch of hunger might be
British, French and Russian prison
ers.
Another suggestion said to have
been conveyed is that suffering fore
ed on the German civilian population
might produce an unwholesome ef-
feet on the attitude Of the American
people toward Great Britain. 4
Officials, while reticent about what
has been said to Germany and Great
Britain, do not deny that the gravity
of the whole situation has been made
unmistakably clear. In some quar-
ters the suggestion was made, but
without confirmation, that an en-
barge on exports Of foodstuffs from
the United States to both the allies
and Germany was being considered
in the event Of an absolute rejection
of the American plan for ameliorat-
ing the situation.
There is every evidence that neu-
tral governments have manifested
more than a willingness to cooperate
in efforts made in Washington to as
sist in a settlement of questions aris-
| ing out Of submarine and mine war
fare. Secretary Bryan denied that
the United States contemplated an
embargo On exports of foodstuffs.
Following a talk with President
Wilson, Representative Porter OF
Pennsylvania. Republican, introduced
bill! to authorize the president to
Iay, regulate and revoke embargoes
on all ships and vessels in United
States ports. United States or foreign
| vessels, until fifteen days after the
commencement Of the next session OF
congress.
"No man." said Mr.. Porter, "can
anticipate the emergencies likely to
arise in our foreign relations during
! the next nine months and congress
should not adjourn without placing
in the presidents hands every pos
sible assistance to meet the compl1ca-
tions as they arise"
| The ministers from Norway and
Sweden and other neutral ENJOYS.
who have inquired. some of them on
| instruction from their government.
have not been given details Of the
pronosal because the subject is re-
earded as in an informal and unof-
| fetal stage.
FROM lU0 pOlul VI VIC" VI eAo
WASHINGTON government Great Brit
ain would have much to gain from an
accentance of the American pro
posals. The abolition Of the war
zones around Great Britain and Ire
land and the removal Of mines. it is
argued. would render the commerce
of the allies safe.
ORIGINALLY when mines were laid in
the North Sea the responsibility for
the initiative never was fixed by the
/ United States government and no
protest was made. The new move by
the United States would brush aside
all questions Of culpability and ap-
peal to the belligerents to sweep up
their mines and prevent further acci-
dents such as already have befallen
three score neutral vessels.
It became known that the latest
communication was sent to Ambassa-
| 6orc pooa and Gerard at London and