South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-03
Answer to American Note of
Feb. % Brings Out Points
on Which KaiSer'S Govern
ment Agrees With NeutralS.
OFFERS TO GIVE UP
USE OF DRIFTING MINES
Restriction of Submarine AC-
tivitieS Would PreSuppOSe
DiSCOntinuanCe OF Use of
Neutral Flags by Ships.

BERLIN, March 3.-Germany's re-
ply 10 the American note of Feb. %.
intimating that a suitable basis might
be reached by which the naval poll
cies of both England and Germany
could be modified has received the
entire approval of the Berlin press.
IL is indicated that Germany has un
dertaken a diplomatic policy by which
she hopes TO win the friendship and
10 some extent the support of the
United States government
The American note had contained
suggestions as 10 mine laying for the
protection of neutral shipping. ON
this point the German reply said:
THE German government has sub
mitted the American suggestion To
attentive examinations and believes
that il can recognize therein an eff
fectively suitable basis for a practical
solution of the question at issue.
Germany would be prepared to
make the suggested declaration CON
cerning the unemployment of drift
ing mines and the construction of an
chOred mines and further agrees with
the suggestion to attach a govern
ment mark to any mines which may
be laid. ON the other hand il ap
pears 10 Germany not to be practical
ble for the belligerent powers fully 10
renounce the employment of anchor
cd mines for offensive purposes.
Would Use Necessary Force.
German submarines woSl 0mploy
force against mercantile vessels in so
far as it is required for the purpose
carrying out the right TO hold up and
search If the hostile nationality of
ship or the presence of a contra
% 1.rrnr rarsffe n
would proceed according to the gen.
eral international rules.
AS the American note provides for
the above mentioned restriction in the
employment of submarines, it follows
that enemy mercantile vessels should
abstain from the use OF neutral flags
and other neutral signs. In this con-
nection il is obvious that hostile mer-
camille vessels should not be armed
and should refrain from offering vio-
lent resistance. since such conduct
which is opposed to International law
renders il impossible for submarines
Co proceed in accordance with inter-
national law The regulation of the
legitimate importation of food sup
plies 20 Germany as suggested by the
American government appears in GER
cral to be acceptable. This regula-
tion would OF course, be restricted to
importation by sea, but on the other
hand il would also include indirect
importation by way Of neutral ports.
Germany would therefore, be prepar-
ed To make declarations such as are
provided for in the American note SO
that the employment OF imported food
supplies would be guaranteed TO be
exclusively for the peaceful civil pop
ulation.
Food Importation Necessary.
I'm this connection Germany must
emphasize that the importation Of
other raw materials for peaceful. ec-
0nomic purposes. including fodder.
should be made possible
The newspaper Nossischee Zeitung
which occasionally spe2ks for the
government comments the German
Ieply.1t then comments upon the war
situation in general saying: mo doubt
Austria would offer compensation 10
ITALY for any claims she may have. It
iS IN regard To Servia that matters
have got 90 be settled. The only
question is seizing the right time"
4 dispatch from the Hague says
"The French ambassador has in
formed neutrals that France ard
England I'm view of the German sub
marine blockade viii stop all boats
bound for Germany. This does not
mean that they will be confiscated."