New Britain herald., 1917-02-14
BERLIN REPUDIATES
 FARLEY PROPOSAL
Makes Sweeping Denial It Asked
 for Discussion

Berlln, FeD. IA, Via LOndOn.-lt IS absolutely denied here that Germany in note to the. United States or through any other mediun1 is inviting ! suggestions for the avoidance of actual war.
 It is reiterated that the imperial government is not permitting doubts in any quarters regarding the position ac- lively assumed in the U-boat warfare and that there can be no talk or thought of recession from the program already being carried out.
 In view of this, it is declared in au- thoritative circles that any further barley or exchange of notes with the United States may be dismissed as un- warranted and improbable.
 The origin of the report is ascribed to the recent announcement, made through the Swiss government, that Germany was willing to negotiate re- specting the amended treaty of 1799.
 No Comment From Swiss.
 s Washington, Feb. 14.-The Swiss legation would make no comment last night on the report that the German government had denied that it had in- vited suggestions from the United States as to notifications of the U-boat 2 campaign which might avert actual war between the United States and Germany. An official of the legation who saw the dispatch from Berlin I- seemed g little surprised, but said that there was nothing to be said, particu- larly until the story had received off, fial verjfication. There was a possi- bility, he suggested, that the report o;nh eli Oh in some way and hence be misleading.
 It is considered quite plausible here, however, that Germany might wish to deny having made overtures to this government in order to prevent herself from being placed in the position of = having her offer rejected, feeling that it had sighted her dignity The inti- nation from the Swiss legation to the state department that she vas willing to receive suggestions was couched in such ambiguous terms and made in so indirect a way that it was open to al most any interpretation she wished to place on it. Her present denial would indicate that the ambiguity was stud fed.
 When the Swiss minister first inn parted the Berlin communication to this government he did it orally in Q conference with Secretary Lansing. In order to place the matter on record Mr. Lansing then asked that he submit |. 1t in writing, which he did, and this governments reply, sent by the secre- tary of state at the presidents direc- ton, was also made in writing.
 What concessions Berlin was actual ly ready to make is not known, as the Swiss minister was evidently author lzed only to throw out a general sug- sgestion. President Wilson's prompt re- fusal to treat on any terms except those he named in his message to con- gress sovtring relations, namely an ah Eolu:e revocation of the blockade or der and renewal of the German pledges to this government, prevented The German suggestion from taking more definite form.
 The state departments publication of the note from the Swiss legation oweyer, with the answer ofa the .1 iyn,ted States. has removed any vestige of a doubt that Berlin actually sug- rested resumption of conversations sn the U-boat question with view to lvert war. f