Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1917-02-16
Issued on Friday of Each Week
UNITED STATES
Rejects OFFER
Germany Desires to Discuss
Submarine Question.

OuUubOuubO x0OVuV"
broken FAITH ONLY REASON
American Government Refuses to Ne.
eotIate Until Berlin Withdraws It.
Proclamation Of Jan. 81 and Renew
and Acts Up to Assurances Gver
on May 4, 1915.
Washington, Feb. 13-The United
States has replied to Germany's pro-
posal Of direct discussion of the sub
marine situation by declining to enter
into any negotiations while the procla
nation Of unrestricted warfare re.
mains in effect and until Germany
restores the pledge given in the Sus.
sex case.
The state department made public
Gsrmany's proposals, and also the gov
ernment's reply.
The state department gave out a
statement as follows:
In view of tho appearance in the
newspapers Of Feb. II Of a report that
Germany was initiating negotiations
with the United States in regard to
submarine warfare the department of
state makes the following statement:
"A suggestion was made orally to
the department of state last Saturday
afternoon by the minister of Switzer.
land that the German government is
willing to negotiate with the United
States, provided that the commercial
blookads against England would not
b intsrfered with.
At tho request of the secretary of
state this suggestion was made in
writing and presented to him by the
Swiss minister Sunday night. The
communication is as follows: Memo
randum:
Text Of German Proposal.
The Swiss government has been
requested by the German government
to say that the latter is now, as be-
fore, willing to negotiate, formally or
Informally, with the United States pro-
vided that the commercial blockade
against England will not be broken
thereby. P. Ritter
This memorandum was given i'm
mediate consideration and the follow.
ing reply was dispatched:
my Dear Mr.. Minister: I am re-
Quested by the president to say to you,
acknowledging the memorandum which
you were kind enough to send to me
on tho 18th inst that the government
Of the United States would gladly dis
cuss with the German government any
questions 1t might propose for discus.
sion were it to withdraw its procla.
nation of the 31st of January, in
which. suddenly and without previous
intimation Of any kind, 1t cancelled the
assurance which it had given this gov
eminent on the 4th of May last, but
that It does not feel that it can enter
into any discussion with the German
government concerning the policy of
submarine warfare against neutrals
which it is now pursuing unless and
until the German government renews
its assurances of the 4th Of May and
acts upon the assurance
mo other interchange on this SUBJ
ject has taken place between this gov
eminent and any other government or
person"
German Proposal Inslncere.
In view of the fact that the United
States has taken the most vigorous
course possible short of war to de.
nounce the ruthless submarine war
fare officials Of the government re-
gard the German proposal to nego-
flats while the campaign is in prog
ress as utterly insincere.
From the first the move has been
looked upon and resented as a piece
OF propaganda, designed to becloud
the issue and put the United States
into false position of belligerency.
The question Of whether naval guns
shall be provided for American ship
owners desiring to arm their vessels
for defense against submarines has
been submitted to President Wilson
BY the state and navy departments
It is understood that the state de-
partment has recommended that the
guns be provided.
There is said to be no authority
under which the navy department
nan actually supply the guns, though
here are precedents for the lending
Df weapons under bond for their re-
turn.
Under existing law only condemned
runs and stores can be sold by the
navy.
Seed Potatoes
Genuine Red River Ohios. For de-
livery in March. Order now and be ,
800 49, c~ol n n 4