Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1915-02-19
INTENDS MINING
BRITISH COAST
Germany Further Explains Her
/ Naya! Policy.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ACTS

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ACTS
State Department Asks Great Britain
to Free Steamer Wilhe!mina at Once
Unless British Government Has New
Evidence Cargo Of Foodstuffs Is
Actual contraband.
Washington, Feb. 16.-The state de-
partment asked Great Britain to free
the American steamer Wilhelmina at
once unless the British government
has new evidence that the cargo of
foodstuffs consigned to German CT
villains is actual contraband.
At the same time there came from
Germany warning that the German
government has determined to mine
the coasts OF Great Britain in further
ance Of the German naval policy ito
be inaugurated Thursday.
From the German point of view the
Wilhelmina constitutes test case on
which revolves the entire question OF
feeding her civilian population and
this fact adds to the gravity of the
new note to Great Britain.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, delivered note to the
United States, which was promptly
transmitted ia Great Britain, in which
Germany offered to recede from her
plan of destroying enemy merchant
ships, if restrictions placed by the
allies on shipments of conditional
contraband and foodstuffs destined to
the civilian population OF Germany
were removed.
Germany Will strew Mines.
otherwise, the note announced.
Germany proposes to put into effect
the original proclamation, adding also
the strewing of mines in waters sur
rounding Great Britain and Ireland.
Alleged arming of British merchant
vessels is given by the German gov
eminent as ground for attacking en-
envy merchant ships without search
or previous visit and for regarding
merchant craft hereafter as in the
category of warships.
At the same time the German am
bassador conferred with Secretary
Bryan and Counselor Lansing the
complete text Of the British reply to
the American note of protest of neu-
trail shipping, dated Dec. 26 was re-
ceived.
Besides giving statistics on neu-
trail commerce and entering gen
eral denial that there had been any
unwarranted interference with legiti-
mate shipments the new note con-
tains statement from Great Britain
that the recent government decree
taking over the flour and grain sup
ply in Germany required added pre-
cautions on the part of the allies that
conditional contraband might not be
permitted to reach the armed forces
of the enemy.
Serious Situation Develops.
On all sides it is admitted here that
the developments of the last few days
present a most serious situation for
American commerce. Administration
officials think that even though as
surances are given eventually by Ger
many that neutral ships will not be
attacked the effect of the war zone
proclamation will be to intimidate
American shippers and reduce Amer
lean exports.
That the next step by the United
States may be a pronounced state
ment to Great Britain on the subject
of conditional contraband was indi-
Gated at the state department. The
American government in it's first note
argued strongly for unrestricted ship
ment of conditional contraband when
destined to noncombatants. The
British preliminary reply did not OPP
pose this view but said an uncondi-
tional acceptance could not be given
on account of Germany's alleged in
human practices.
It was believed here that the Amer
lean government might seek an UNI
Outstanding on the question of food
stuffs with both Germany and Great
Britain, with the hope that it might
avert the submarine dangers to neu-
trail ships.
AIN tn Ditch RED CROSS