Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-03

ISOST0J tV0OS commission were
confirmed before adjournment.
washington, March 2.-While Pres
ident Wilson indicated that the Unit
ed States WPuld send note of in
quiry to England and France, to learn
how they propose to carry out an
nounced determination to prohibit
commercial intercourse by sea with
Germany, such action probably will
be deferred until replies are received
from England and Germany to the
American proposals for an abandon
ment of submarine warfare on mer.
chantment and unrestricted passage
of foodstuffs to civilian population Of
belligerents.
Create Favorable Impression.
Germany's reply as described in
press dispatches created favorable
impression among the officials, but
until the text officially is received no
comment will be made. Attitude Of
Germany caused belief in official
quartel that basis for solution OF
maritime situation might yet be
reached through new note.
There have been official intima.
tions that England would flatly re.
ject the proposal for shipment OF
foodstuffs as conditional contraband
to Germany.
Cannot Define Attitude.
AngloFrench notes outlining inten.
tion Of allies to stop all commerce be-
tween Germany and neutrals. occu-
pied attention of official Washington.
Wilson stated his inability to define
attitude OF American government, be-
cause he had not thoroughly digest
ed the contents of communications
and thought they apparently seemed
to establish blockade. It was point.
ed out that the notes merely defined
in general terms the policy to be pro-
secuted by the allies, Without stating
tie means of effecting that policy.
Contents OF American Note.
London, March "A dispatch to
Reuters, from Amsterdam, gives con-
tents of American note of February
% to England, and Germany's reply
thereto. The notes were received in
Amsterdam in a dispatch from Ber-
lin.
The American note, expresses hope
that England and Germany may by
mears of reciprocal concessions
reach a basis of understanding, the
result of which will tend to free ships
engaged in neutral ani peaceful con.'
merce frcm serious dangers to which
they are exposed in passing through
coastal waters of belligerent coun
tries.
Not a Proposal.
This suggestion, the note says,
should not be considered as a pro.
posal by the American government,
whom it naturally does not behoove
20 propose conditions for such an
agreement, though the question at is.
sue has a direct and far-reaching in
terest for the government and people
of the United States.
Suggestions Offered.
The suggestion is made that Ger
many and England should agree, tnat
isolated drifting mines should be laid
by neither party, and that anchored
mines should be laid exclusively for
defensive purposes. within gun range
of harbors, and that all mines should
bear mark of government of origin
and to be so constructed as to be-
come harmless after breaking loose
from anchorage.
It is suggested that submarines OF
neither governments should be EN-
ployed1 to attack merchantmen of any
nationality except for purpose of car
rying out right of holding them and
searching them, and that merchant
men of neither country should employ
neutral flags as war ruse for pur-
pose of ccncealing identity.
Oppose Absolute cantraband.
England, il il suggested, should
agree that foodstuffs will not De
placed on list of absolute contrabahd,
and that British authorities neither
disturb nor hold up cargoes of sdch
goods when addressed to agencies in
Germany.
Under Certain Conditions.
Berlin, March I'm reply to the
American note concerning German
naval war zone. the German govern
ment agrees that under certain con.
ditions, it's submarines will halt and
investigate merchantmen, and Will
proceed against on'y such vessels as
are found to, be carrying contraband
CONTINUED on Page Three.)
GARRISON REPuLsE ATTACKS.
Washington, March 2.-Vera Cruz
DISPATCHES to the Carranza agency
announced that the Mexico City Jar
rison Yesterday repulsed attacks from