The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-14
Declares If England Cuts Of
Food Supply From Civilians
It Must Do Likewise
Warning as to
Neutrals Repeated
Seizure Of Food-stuf Shipped
to Germany for Civilian Use
Furnishes knotty Problem
to State Department

Washington, Feb. lathe diff
ficilties and dangers OF the posi-
ton Of the United States between
tho upper and neither milfstOues OF
tho maritime warfare between
England and Germany were en-
phasl8ed today when the German
Ambassador called on Secretary
Bryan To impress on him the
vital Importance OF the issues in
volvcd In the WilbcImina case.
Ills presentations OF Germany
views on these issues was practically
equivalent TO notice that II Great
Hisain would not permit food to reach
the civil population OF German from
The outside. Germany would use tire
neeaas at her command to cut off Brit
Ism supplies OF food, In either event
the loss IN the United States trade
will be second only to the injury sos-
tanned by the beifigerents. and II was
obvious that it is Germany's expecta-
lion that this Government will take
steps to preserve its trade with Eng
land. which will have the effect OF
making a similar trade with Germany
possible.
Case Of stsnd on.
There have heen hints received In
nfsciai quarters here that m the
United States by strong defense of
the Niihcimina case. could brink about
Mts4Aodt aeAtiea OF the British intes-
lion not b lat any fscd cargces reach
tieftnany bArAusc of the German feod
appropriation decree. there might be
substantial notifications of the opera
tons proposed BY Germany under the
war zone decree, against which opera :
tions the United States protested two
days ago. Unofficial dispatches from
London today indicated there is doubt
In the British mind as to the wisdom
OF pressing the case Of the Wilhel-
mina to a conclusion. and preventing
it's cargo OF foodstuhs from reaching
Germany. Both these possihilitie.
would. ~ they became realities. re-
iieve the present situation of the
United states which is now one OF
xrea, difnculty because Of pressure
from both Germany and England
Issue Fundamental.
The German ambassador in his
visit TO the state Department made II
dear that he regards the issues in
rhe case OF tho Wiihelmina as aoso-
lufegy fundamental. and at the bottom
OF an the threatened difficulties fo'
American trade with either OF the
heiiigerents. He set forth plainly the
How az Germany that Great Britain,
BY partially closing the North Sea 10
H&Ul1h3S AHQ Gil
10 sfarye out Germany. had gone be-
yond all laws of warfare and civlliza-
ton. and had justified. therefore. such
retaliation as Germany might under
take.
He reminded Secretary Bryan Of
the assurances given the United States
BY his government fsnat importations
of footisluffs from this country would
~ exempt from the provisions OF the
decree providing for government con-
troll OF the food supply: that the Ger
man government would guarantee
that no such foodstuffs imported
would reach in any way the armed
forces of Germany. but would be re-
served entirely for sale and distribu-
ZION among the civil. population.
These guarantees. Germany holds,
should be wholly acceptable TO Great
Britain and The ambassadors state
ments lef, 10 doubt that II there were
not accepted any food carEoes per-
mitted to pass 10 Germany the Ger
man admiralty would do Its utmost
10 prevent any food ships from reach :
ing England