Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-18

= WASHINGTON. March 17.-7si1 -diplo-S
matte notes were made public tonight
by tho State Department, constituting
tho entire correspondence OF the last
few weeks between the United States
and Germany and between the Unitel
States and Great Britain and France.
relative to the cessation OF submarine
attacks on merchant ships, the ship
ment of conditional contraband and
foodstuffs TO civilians the use OF neu-
trail flags by belligerent merchantmen.
the removal OF mines and the proclama-
tion of a virtual blockade by the allies
against Germany.
The communications revealed that the
United States. realizing the difficulties
of the allies In maintaining an effec-
tive blockade OF Germany by close
guard Of the coast on account of the
newly developed activity of submarines.
asked that "a radius of activity" be de-
fined. Great Britain and France re-
piled with the announcement that tho
operations Of blockade would not be
conducted Outside OF European waters,
including the Mediterranean"
PROPOSAL Is REJECTED
ny ENGLAND AND ALLIES
While Germany agreed 1t la dis
closed, to abandon her submarine at
tacks on ''merchantile OF any flag" ex-
cept when they resist visit or search,
provided foodstuffs were permitted to
reach her civilian population. Great
Britain and her allies rejected the pro-
posal originally made by the United
States in an effort to bring the bell
liEerents into an arrangement which
would safeguard the interests OF neu-
trails.
Furthermore. the documents show
that the United States asked Great
Britain and France whether the en-
barge on all commerce between. Ger
many and neutral countries was to be
carried out under tho rules OF block
adc or by interference with ships and
cargoes "as IL no blockade existed" tho
two together presenting In the view
or the American government "a pro-
posed course of action previously un-
known to international law"
The answers from Great Britain and
France reveal for the first time that
the allies officially regard their policy
as blockade" but desire to refrain
from exercising the rights of bellfger-
ents under blockade to conhscata
ships and cargoes as a penalty for
breach OF blockade. substituting pro-
etuufe III prize courts and COmpenSa-
tion through sale Of the detained mer-
chandse.
The definition of radius of ac-
tivtty" for the allied fleet in Europcan
waters. including the Mediterranean
Is the first intimation OF the geographic
cal limits of the blockade
The publication of the correspondence
cleans the slate OF diplomatic notes
and leaves the United States confront-
ed with the question OF whether or not
II VIII acquiesce In the form Of block.
ade announced by the allies. President
wilson has indicated that a strong pro.
test Will be made.
The notes show the failure OF tho
United States to bring the belIigerents
into an agreement on the use OF sub
marines and mines. the fixing of a
definite rule governing shipments of
conditional contraband to the civilian
population OF a belligerent. and tho
abandonment Of neutral flags as a ruse
OF war.
OFFICIALS ARE PUZZLED
by ENGLAND'S REJECTIOv
Officials admitted being somewhat
puzzled over the British rejection Of
the proposals made by the United
States in this connection. They oh.