The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-14
AMERICAN NOTE FAILS TO CHANGE
 GERMAN ATTITUDE
 ON WATER ZONE
(Continued from Page One)

many could be assured of a continuous food supply for her noncomba tant pop ulatlon.
 The position of the German govern ment. it was explained, was that the proclamation of a war zone and cam paign against enemy merchant ships wa ssmply a retaliation against Eng lands alleged violations of the declar- ation of London in hinderins conui tional contraband destined for civilians from reaching Germany. This, according to the German ambassador is no less in humane than the campaign on merchant vessels While declining to authorize any statement, officials admitted that the American note to Germany was open to the construction that no vessels. either belligerent or neutral, should be sunk unless previously visited ana an opportunity given for the taking off cf passengers. It was reiterated that while the rules of international law clearly compelled such --ps, the position taken was based largely on Humanitarian grounds.
 Warning Not Threat
 An official who assisted in the prep aration of the American note to Ger many pointed out that the strong warn ing tone of the communication was not intended as threat, but in reality was
 
 caution lest the sinking of an Ameri- can vessel with Americans aboard in- flame public opinion in the United States to a degree which could not be estimated in advance.
 The German ambassador, 1t is un- derstood, did not discuss the inten- tons of his government in connection with the announced campaign on mer- chant ships but confined himself to explaining at length the German point of view on conditional contra band. He holds that the United States, in con- tending for a strict observance of the rights of neutra1s. should interest it. self in seeing that conditional contra band Is not held up on the hign 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 llgerent forces. He said the German government had given assurances and
 also had modified its decrees so that imported foodstuffs would not be ap- propriated by the army. The German government also is willing to permit American consular officers to witness
 the sale and distribution of such lood-
 stuffs to determine whether or not they actually are reaching the civil popu- lation of Germany.
 IHe aHlDdSSdQOf OlScuSSeu to SOfne extent the case of the Wilhelmina, an American steamer seized by Great Brit sin on it's journey to Germany with toodstuffs. He believes the American government should take an interest Tn
 the safe delivery of the cargo to Ger | many No formal action has been taken by the state department beyond re- questing Great Britain to postpone prize court proceedings until the own CTS of the vessel, who have submitted a brief to the department are enabled to discuss the case further here. Question Covered
 The question of cargoes such as that of the Wilhelmina, which was shipped before 1 the German decree taking over the na- | tional food supply, became effective, prob- bly will be covered fully in the American | reply to the British note now being trans niitted from London and dealing with /, the general subject of neutral commerce. Most of the communication has been 1 deciphered, and it is understood 10 be full | of statistics.
 | As for conditional contraband, the fact l that the German government had taken over the supply of grain and flour is cited by the British government as proof | that foodstuffs consigned to civilians real ly would be used by the army. This point also probably will be discussed at length in the American reply, for in the ] first note from the Washington govern