Evening star., 1915-02-27
Expected to Indicate Attitude
Toward American "War
Zone" Proposals.
BRITISH CABINET DIVIDED
IN OPINION, SAYS REPORT
One Party Holds That Restricting
German Supplies Is Necessary
War Measure.

An indication of the British govern
ments attitude toward the American gov
ernment's informal proposals to Great
Britain and Germany. for the removal Of
dangers to neutral shipping. officials here
thought would be forthcoming today. The
German governments attitude on the is
sue is already known to be favorable to
making concessions, and as supplying the
basis for negotiations between the ma
tions involved.
Officials here learned today. through
unofficial sources, that some British
cabinet members take the attitude that
reprisals will be necessary in retaliation
for Germany's submarine campaign. Eng
lands allies, including France and Rus
sia, which have been considering the
American proposals, were said to be in
full accord with her as to what steps
she would take.
Think Effort Not Vain.
The Washington government believes
that even though these proposals are
not accepted, its efforts will not be
wasted, since it will demonstrate to the
belligerents the sincerity of the purpose
of the United States and the impartial
ity of it's position.
Encouraging reports from both AM
bassadors Page and Gerard at London
and Berlin respectively were received
by President Wilson and his cabinet
concerning the attitude of Great Britain
and Germany.
Germany's willingness to make con-
cessions and negotiate for an under
standing on the vexatious questions
already has been made known fnfor-
mally to the United States, and for
eyes now are turned on London, where
the opinion is understood to be divided
on the merits of the suggestions. Some
of the leading men in the British cab
met are said to favor in principle the
American proposals as a means Of solv-
ing the problem with as little incon-
venience to neutral countries as pos
sible.
Military Opposition Expected.
Another element. however. is said to
be impressed by the military value Of
further restriction Of supplies to Ger-
many, and more reprisals. and there Is
some indication that when the final reso-
luton on the American proposals is to
be made. the military faction will pre-
sent strong opposition to them.
The exact nature of the proposals is
icence of the officials here and abroad.
but each day adds information on the
subject. Briefly. this much of the con-
tents of the American suggestions now
has been confirmed:
The United States has asked that the
previous rules of international law
with respect to the shipment by neu-
trails of conditional contraband destin-
ed to a civilian population, and not the
belligerent forces of an enemy, remain
unaltered.
A system is suggested whereby proof
can be furnished that the supplies will
be used by the civilian population.
Removal of Mines Urged.
Removal of all floating mines by
Germany as well as Great Britain is
proposed. this not to apply, however,
to mines used for protection of coast
defenses and harbors, pilots to be
furnished to guide neutral ships
through such fields as remain.
Attention is directed to Germany's
promise that If foodstuffs are not de-
tanned when destined to her civilian
population the submarine warfare on
merchant ships will be abandoned.
The American proposals do not dwell
on the attacks by German submarines
on enemy merchant ships, as the posi-
ton OF the Unitede States, it Is under
stood, would not permit interference in
the mode of warfare adopted by the
belligerents toward each other except
where the lives of neutrals are placed
In jeopardy. 1t is assumed, however,
by officials that the promises made by
Germany of an intention to abandon
such warfare on merchant vessels and
confine operations to those enemy ves-
sells carrying troops and munitions of
war would be fulfilled If foodstuffs
were to be given unrestricted passage
to Germany.
The details of the proposals. it is
felt here, can be readily arranged if
there is a disposition on the part OF
both Great Britain and Germany to
make concessions.
Loss of Evelyn and Carib.
The destruction Of the American
steamers Carib and Evelyn continued
to be talked about in official quarters,
and while inability to fix the RESPONSE
bility for the accidents has removed
for the present the danger of complica-
tions with the belligerents. the hope
of the American government is that
dangers fro-,l mines will be eliminated
by an acceptance OF some. at least, Of
the American proposals
The State Department has received
tile following Telegram from the Ameri-
can consul general at London. dated
February 25:
nth. Vessels that formerly took pilots
now supplied in the Downs from Deal"
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