Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-30
GREAT BRITAIN LAY ACCEPT
SUGGESTION OF MEDIATION
tspccia! 70 The Times -Dispatch.l

Especial 10 The Times Dispa tch.l
WASHINGTON, August 2o--Oficials
in Washington who have given close
attention TO the diplomatic develop
ments of the past two weeks are lean
ing 10 the view that Great Britain may
accept the suggestion, which the United
States is expected soon TO make. of
mediation between Great Britain and
Germany on the subject of the free
dom OF the seas The suggestion was
made TO Germany In the last note Of
this government on tho Lusitania case.
Germany's acceptance. which is ex-
pected to accompany her announcement
that she is prepared 70 settle for the
loss OF American lives in the destruc-
tion of that vessel. viii he forthcom-
ing as soon rs the Arabic case is set
tied. The United States will be in a
position then 20 make tho offer to
Great Britain.
The reasons given for the view that
Great Britain may accept are the fol-
lowing:
J. Tho sentiment that now exists
among practically all the Southern
ConEressmen ana Senators and many
from the Northern States. that Con-
gress should take some step in reprisal
for Great Britain's treatment Of Ameri-
can careocs. unless some measure Of
relief is offered at an early date. Great
Britain. II is said, cannot help but real
ize that unless she takes some stcp
TO moderate her treatment of Amcri-
can property, especially cotton car
goes. there is a strong possibility that
measure 10 place an embargo on arms
and ammunition will he forced through
Congress, despite the ADMINISTRATORS
opposition TO such n policy.
. The inroads that the German sub
marines have made upon British trade
The effect OF the activities OF the sub
marines has been not only TO cause
great loss OF property and lives. hut
to raise the rate OF insurance on Brit
ish ships and cargoes to the point
where It is bound TO be burdensome.
Therefore the tremendous cost Of
Great Britain's starvation policy"
may. il is believed, have some influence
In bringing her TO n decision to aban-
don It,
WANTS ISSUE SETTLED
BEFORE CONGRESS MEETS
Apart from its probable effect on
Great Britain's attitude toward media
tion Of the freedom of the seas the
approach Of the session Of Congress
take un the question of establishing
an embargo. will undoub,edlv hasten
the administrations efforts to induce
Great Britain and Germany 10 come 10
an agreement of some kind. The
President, it is well understood. would
much prefer to have the question set
tied before Congress meets. because of
the danger that Congress mipbt rut
through some hasty Legislation u,b;ob
would H0d to existing international
Comrl;c; tons.
believed that when the offer
it!on is made. it will be sinh
il; in form something similar
L" ne proposals of the United States
on February 90 of this year. whom :,
attempted TO persuade Great Britain
to come to an agreement At that
time the United States said:
This Government ventures to ex-
press the hope that the two helligerent
governments may. through reciproco,
concessions. find basis for agreement
which Will relieve neutral ships on
gagged In peaceful commerce from the
great dangers which they Will incur
In the high seas adjacent to the coasts
of the belligerents"
IL then made certain suggestions
regarding the sowing OF mines and the
use OF submarines against mercha Mt
vessels, and proposed also that Great
Britain agree:
That food and foodstufs will not
be placed on the absolute contra brand
list, and that ships OF such commodI-
ties will not he intcrfered with or de-
Continued on Second PagoJ