Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-26
U. s. Seeks the
 Removal of Mines
FROM THE HIGH SEAS, EXCEPT
 FOR COAST DEFENSE.
SAFEGUARD COMMERCE
Suggestion Made Informally to Great
 Britain and Germany-No Mention
 Made Of Action in Case of Rejection,

Washington, Feb. 25.-The United States government has suggested in formally to Great Britain and Germany that in the interests of humanity and the safeguarding of legitimate com merce, all mines be removed from the high seas except those directly nec- essary for the protection of coast de- fences and harbOrs.
 This suggestion, along with propos- als designed to obtain Great Britafn's acquiescence in a plan to permit the distribution of imported foodstuffs to the civilian population of Germany and bring about abandonment by the latter of it's submarine warfare on merchant ships, has been submitted by England to her allies, France and Rus Sia, for consideration.
 Limitations have come to the Wash lngton government that until the British cabinet acts and the attitude of France and Russia is learned, no reply can be given to the American proposals. This may require several days.
 Germany Willing to Make Concessions.
 In the meantime, Germany already has manifested a willingness to mahe concessions, which gives officials here ground for hope that a conciliatory spirit will be adopted by Great Britain
 II can be stated authoritativeIy that Tn the American communication, made identical 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 it's proposals. The United States as- Sumed rather the role of mediator. il an effort secretly for the present to reach an agreement with out the embaTrassments of public dis PuSSiOT in Jhn he where passions were thought likely to stimulate influences that would defeat imperial consideration of questions involved
 High officials of the Washington government have shown much soIici- tude over what might be the extent of retaIlatory measures adopted by the beIigerents if they continue to tiisre- gard previously accepted principles of international law. It is understood that one of the arguments used is that If the policy or starvation is put iy,r., effect by Great Britain. the first to feel the pinch of hunger might be the British, French and Russian prison CTS. Another suggestion said to haze been conveyed is that suffering forced upon the civilian population of Ger many might produce an unw whoisescne effect on the attitude of the American people toward Great Britain and her allies.
 Neutral Governments Working in liar
 mony.
 There is every evidence that neutral governments are working in close harmony with the Washington govern ment and have manifested more than a willingness to cooperate in efforts made here to assist in a settlement of the Yexatious questions arising out of submarine and mine warfares. Sec retary Bryan denied today that an era- bargo by the United States on exoolts Of foodstuffs was contemplated.
 Following talk with President WiI- son, Representative Porter of Penp- sylVania. republican, introduced a pill to authorize the president to lay. reg ulate and revoke embargoes on all ships and vessels in United States ports or United States or foreign yes sels if in his opinion it is necessary until 5 days after the commencement of the next session of congress.
 No man. said MT. Porter, can an- ticipate the emergencies likely to arse in our foreign relations during the next nine months and congress 5hOIld not adjourn without placing in the presi- dents hands every possible assistance to meet the complications as they arise"
 Proposal Not Revealed.
 The delicacy Of the international ne- gOtiatiOn prevents officials from re- VealinS just what has been DrODosa1 The ministers from Norway and Swe- den and other neutral envovs who have inquired, some of them even nv instructions from their governments have not been given the details bv the state department, because the subject is regarded as in an informal and mn official stage as yet, more in the ra- ture Of an interchange of views than a. formal negotiation
 -,cv- ingtOn government, Great Britain. while conceding the shipment of food stuffS to Germany under a system that would guarantee their distribution to the civil population, and not the bel ligerent forces of Germany. would have American proposals. The abolition of the war zones around Great Britain and Ireland, and the removal of all mines, it is argued, would render the commerce of the allies safe, subject to the usual exercise of the right of wis itation, search and capture
 No Question of cuIpability.
 Originally. when mines were laid in the North sea, Germany and Great Britain accused each other of being the aggressor in this respect. The re- spons1bility for the initiative never was fixed by the United States yov- ernment and no protest was made. The new move by the United States would brush aside all questions of culpability and appeal to the belliger- ents to sweep up their mines and pre- vent further accidents such as already have befallen nearly three score neu- tral vessels, including the American steamers Evelyn and Carib.
 It is understood that while the adoption of a definite agreement on all the points involved in the American communication may require some time, the United States also has suggested that if the principles of the plan are acceptable some tentative arrange ments may be secured by which neu- tra' commerce for the present will not be nnenaced.