Evening star., 1915-02-26
United States Awaits Replies
to Put to End Undersea
BI0ckadeS.
McADOO ORDERS INCREASE
IN WAR ZONE RISK RATES
British Isles and Bordeaux Made
Special Ports"-Seeks Recess
Authority for President.

Administration officials were looking
forward with unabated interest today
to early responses to the American
governments informal proposals 10
Great Britain and Germany for the
elimination of dangers to neutral ship
ping. These suggestions include re-
movaI of all unnecessary mines in the
high seas and provide for the distrl-
button of foodstuffs to the German
civilian population and the abandon
ment of the German submarine war
fare on merchant ships.
The American proposals have peen
submitted by England to her allies,
France and Russia. for consideration
At the same time the British cabinet
has taken them under consideration.
Unofficial advices fail to disclose the
attitude of the British cabinet toward
the latest American move.
All ports of the British Isles have
been withdrawn from the general rat
ing on war risks by the war risk bu-
reau, and are now to be the subject OF
special rating as special ports on ap-
plication for war risk insurance. This
course was adopted as result of the
conference yesterday in New York city
of the advisory board of the war risk
bureau. The order was issued last
night by the Secretary of the Treas
ury.
Under former ratings for war risk
insurance ports on the North sea. north
of London, were the only special ports
applied a higher rating for insurance
than under the general schedule. The
order of Secretary McAdoO also eX-
tends the special port zone on the con-
tinent to include Bordeaux. The pre-
vious limit was Dunkirk. The right to
refuse insurance to these special ports
is reserved by the war risk bureau.
Argues Interest Of Humanity.
The United States government has
suggested informally to Great Britain
and Germany that in the interests of
humanity and the safeguarding Of
legitimate commerce all mines be re-
moved from the high seas except those
directly necessary for the protection of
coast defenses and harbors.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
in the American communication made
ldentically to Germany and Great
Britain no mention was made by the
United States of what course it would
pursue in the event Of rejection of its
proposals. The United States rather as-
sumed the role of mediator IN an ef-
fort, secretly for the present, to reach
an agreement without the emharras-
ments of public discussion in the bel
hgerent countries, where passions were
thought likely to stimulate Influences
that would defeat impartial considera-
tion of. the questions involved.
Retaliations Worry.
High officials of the Washington goy-
ernment have shown much solicitude
over what might be the extent of re-
taliatory measure adopted by the bel
ligerents If they continues to disre-'
rrin noEy ,f
international law. 1t is understood
that one of the arguments used is that
If the policy of starvation is put into
effect by Great Britain, the first to
feel the pinch of hunger might be the
British, French and Russian prisoners
Another suggestion said to have been
conveyed is that suffering forced ulpon
the civilian population of Germany
might produce an unwholesome effect
the attitude of the American people
toward Great Britain and her allies
There is every evidence that neutral
governments are working in close mar
mony with the Washington govern
ment and have manifested more than
Willingness to cooperate in efforts
made here TO assist in a settlement Of
the vexatious questions arising out of
submarine and mine warfare.
Denies Food Embargo.
Secretary Bryan denied that an en-
barge by the United States on exports
of foodstuffs was contemplated
Following talk with President Wilson
Representative Porter OF Pennsylva MIA
republican. introduced bill yesterday to
authorize the President to lay, regulate
and revoke embarGoes on all ships and
'esse!S In United States ports or United
States or foreign vessels which ever in his
opinion II is necessary. until fifteen days
after the commencement Of the next ses-
sion of Congress
No man said Mr.. Porter "can antic;
pate the emergencies likely to arise in
our foreign relations during the next nine
months. and Congress should no, ad
Journ without placing in the Presidents
lands every possible assistance 10 rnest
the complications as they arise"
Silence Is Maintained.
The delicacy Of the negotiation pre-
vents officials from revealing lust what
has been proposed. The minister from
Norway and Sweden and other neutral
ENJOYS. who have inquired, some Of them
even by instruction from their govern
lnent- have not been given the details Inv
the State Department because the sub
,3ect Is regarded as in AN informal and
Inofhcial stage as yet. more in the ma
ture OF an interchange of views than a
formal negotiation.
FROM the point OF view of the Wash
ington government. Great Britain.
while conceding the shipment of food
stuffs 10 Germany under a system that
would guarantee their distribution 10
the civilian population and not the
belligerent forces of Germany. would
have much to gain from an acceptance
of the American proposals The aboIi-
ton of the war zones around Great
Britain and Ireland and the removal of
all mines II Is argued would render the
commerce of the allies safe, subject
10 the usual exercise Of the right OF
visitation, search and capture
Responsible for Mines.
Originally when mines were laid in
the North sea. Germany and Grea,
Britain accused each other of being
the aggressor in this respect. The re.
sponsibiiity for the initiative neye,
was fixed by the United States govern.
ment and no protest was made.
The new move by the United State.
would brush aside all questions o1
culpability and appeal to the belliper.
ents to sweep up their mines and nre
vent further accidents such as alread,
have fbefallen three score neutral yes.
sells, including the American steamers