Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-25
DEFINITE POLICY
SUGGESTED BY j. S.
Proposals Submitted to England
and Germany Would End Men
ace to Neutral Commerce.
DOCUMENT is CONFIDENTIAL.
Rejection of American Plan May
Result in Embargo on Expor-
tation of Foodstuffs.

WASHINGTON. February 24-Great
britain has submitted TO her allies.
France and Russia, proposals made by
the United States designed to end the
menace TO neutral commerce arising
from retaliatory measures of the bel
ligerents towards each other
Briefly. tho American proposals sub
mittcd 20 Both England and Germany
seek the elimination by Germany or
the recently prescribed war zone with
us dangers 10 neutral shipping and
the adoption by all the beliigerents of
definite policy as to shipments OF
foodstuffs TO the civilian populatiou
of their enemies
From such preliminary observations
as American diplomatic oficials abroad
have made. there is said TO he some
cncouragement In the manner of TN.
reception of the proposals at London.
Germany is inclined toward an accent
ancc of the suggestions it is under
stood. but on Great Britain's attitude
depends the next move
EUROPEAN NEUTRALs
IN ACCORD WITH L. g.
The strong opposition which other
neutrais have assumed toward the re-
taliatory measures adopted by the bell
ilgerents is playing n considerable part
In the situation. Although the AmcrI
can proposals have been communicated
to other neutrals. it may be said that
virtually all the European ncutrals
are in accord with the United States
government
offcialS, while reticent about what
has been said to Germany and Great
britain, DO not deny that the gravity
Oh the whole situation has been made
Enthusiastically clear. In some quarters
to-day the suggestion was made. but
without confirmation from sources
usually we'll Informed. that an en-
barge on exports of foodstuffs from
the United States to both the allies
and Germany was being considered in
the event of an absolute rejection of
the American plan for amelioratinp Tho
situation.
1t became known that the latest
communication was sent to Ambassa-
dors Page and Gerard at London and
Berlin respectively, on Sunday after
conferences between President Wilson,
secretary Bryan and Counselor Robert
Lansing The American government
asked mat the document be regarded
ior the present as strictly confidential
HIGH OFFICIALS GIVING:
ALL ATTENTION TO SIHJEt"r
High officials are pi, ing virtu,,,v
all OF their attention TO tho subject TO
the exclusion of such questions as rho
Japanese Chinese negotiations and tho
Mexican problems.
While complaints have been fow
some officials think the most serious
erect OF the submarine warfare on
inerchant ships and the restriction i'm
posed on food shipments has yet to
develop. They believed that if the
present situation continues. American
exports Will drop TO considerable
extent
There is no conccalmcnt of the feel
ing In high official quarters that If
the present tension over the attitude
or !he belligerents continues, and any
American lives are proved to have been
lost as the result of their activities
the Washington government: NAV he
called on to abandon It's present atti-
tude of friendlincss toward all the war
ring powers.
While there was no official comment
to-day on the sinking of the American
steamers Carib and Evelyn, because Of
the absence of definite information as
TO the causes OF their destruction II
Is understood that the latest communi-
cation from tile United States urging
an acceptance Of its proposals deals
with the grave dangers TO neutral YES
sells that have arisen through the mine,
already laid. and threats 10 strew more
of the explosives in the high seas.
REPORTS FROM GERARD
FORWARDED TO LONDON
Officials repeated to the American
embassy at London to-day further
messages received from Ambassador
Gerard and the American consul at
Bremcrhaven concerning the loss OF
the Evelyn and Carir 1t is taken for
granted that reports at the captains
followed instructions wen them bv
British naval officers, w..l be brought
TO the attention of the London Foreign
Office. so that the. British admiralty
may investigatr1the truth or falsity OF
the reports
CERTAIN OF PROPOSALS
UNACCEPTABLE TO GERMANY
BERLIN (via London). February "a
GO i. M).-Thc American Identical |
note on marine warfare. sent to Great
Britain and Germany Is in the hands
OF DR.. Won Bethmann-fIo fIollweg. Imperial
Chancellor. and Gottlicb Won Jagow.
the German Foreign Minister
The german government Is not ready
to make public tho contents of the
note. but il is said they may be re-
gardcd as the basis for further negoti-
ations. Certain of the proposals, as
for example. the removal of the mine
fields around England. probably will
he unacceptable to Germany.
The German government. 1t is said,
docs not expect that Great Britain will
accept any proposals permitting tho
Importation of foodstuffs into Ger
many.
The Lokal Anzeiger says II learns
that the American note presents n basi,
for further negotiations.
Washington" the newspaper adds,
now takes up the suggestions outlined
In tho final passage OF Germany's an
CONTINUED on Fourth Page.)