The sun., 1915-03-18

Government and believe that they can
actually see In II a su table basis for
the practical solution Of the questions
which have arisen.
With regard TO the various points OF
the American note. they hcg TO make
the following remarks
l. With regard to the sowing OF
mines the German Government would
lie willing to agree as suggested not tu
use floating mines and to have anchored
mines constructed as indicated More
over. they agree to put the stamp OF
the Government on all mines to he
planted. ON the other hand Il does
not appear to them 10 be feasible for
the belligerents wholly to forrgo the use
OF anchored mines for offensive pur-
poses
. The German Government would un-
dertake not to Use their submarines To-
attack mercantile OF any flag except
when necessary To enforce the right OF
visit and search. should "a" enemy ma
tionality OF the vessel or the presence Of
contraband be ascertainei submarines
would proceed in accordance with the
general rules OF international law
tse of Neutral Flags.
8 As provided In the American No;e
this restriction of the use OF the sub
enemy mercantile abstain from the use
OF the neutral nag ami other neutral
distinctive marks. II would appear tn
he matter OF course that such mer-
camille also abstain from drmtug theU-
selves and from all resistance by force.
since such procedure contrary To inter
national law would render Impossible
any action of the submarines In accord
ance with International law
Al
portations OF food into Germany Sug-
gested by the American Government
appears to he in general acceptable
Such regulation would. Of course. ne
confined TO tmportations by sea. but
that would on the other hand include
indirect impor'ations by way o: neu-
trail ports The German Government
would therefore he willing TO make the
declarations of the nature provided in
the American note SO that the use OF
the imported food and fooistuffs solely
by the non-comhatant population would
he guaranteed. The imperial Govern
ment. must, however. in addition
have the importation OF other raw ma
terial used by the economic system Of
! non-combatants including forage per-
mtted. To that end the enemy Govern
ments would have to permit the free
entry into Germany OF the raw ma
terial mentioned in the free lis, OF the
Declaration OF London and 20 treat ma
terials included in the list Of condi-
tional contrahand according 10 the same
principles as food and toodstuffs
Hopes for Agreement.
The German Government venture to
hone that the agreement 70, WI rh the
American Government have paved The
way may be reached after due consider
, that in this way peaceab!e neutral
/ shipping and trade will not have to
suffer any more than is absolutely ueces-
sari from the unavoidable effects OF
maritime war These effects would he
stu further reduced II. az was pointed
out IN tn" German note of the 18TH in
stant. some way could he found To ex-
clude the shipping ~ munitions of war
! from neutral countries to belliGerents
OIL ships OF any nationality
The German Gov"rrment must OF
course reserve a definite statement OF
their pos ton until such time as they
/ may receive further information from
the American Government enabling them
TO see what obligations the Rrlt'sh GOV
ernment are on their part willing to
+ assume
The Undersigned avsils himself OF tho
occasion, &c. Signed, Won Jagow
GEHARn
Dated Foreign Office Berlin. February
Ok. 1915.
tApparent omissionD