Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1917-02-16
BERLIN MOVES
FOR FARLEY TO
INSURE PEACE
WOULD DISCUSS MEANS FOX
SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN
LIVES IN WAR ZONE.
MAY MODIFY SUBSEA ORDER
WASHINGTON Officials FroWn Upon
Proposal While U-Boat Cam
paian continues-U. S. Ships
Sail for War Zone.

Washington, D. c., Feb. 12.-Ger-
many has taken steps to open dis
cussion with the United States OF
means of preventing war between
them.
In seeking an exchange of views on
the subject, however, it is not under
stood that the Berlin government has
proposed any modification OF It's ruin
less submarine campaign, and officials
say they can not enter upon such dis
cussion while vessels continue to De
destroyed in violation of international
law.
The new move is understood to be
predicated upon a willingness on Ger
many's part to discuss especially the
safeguarding of American ships and
American lives on the seas and backed
by a renewed expression of the desire
of the German government to prevent
the diplomatic breach from leading to
actual hostilities. Just how American
interests are to be safeguarded If the
German war zone proclamation is to
stand, however, and whether any spe-
cific means of preserving peace be-
tween the two nations is included in
the communication has not been re-
vealed.
Move Frowned Upon.
No official would indicate whether
a reply already had been given, but
there was no disposition to deny that
the proposal had been made or that
the American government regarded it
as an effort on the part of Germany
10 befog the issue. 1t was made clear
everywhere in government circles
that there was nothing to discuss I'M
less Germany desired to stop abridg-
ing American rights and illegally
menacing American life.
In connection with the German sug-
sestion, special interest attached to
cable dispatches announcing that En-
peror William had called a conference,
presumably to discuss the submarine
campaign and the position Of neutrals.
1t was suggested that out OF the con-
ference might come something more
tangible than the mere oral suggestion
that Germany would like to discuss
means of preventing the addition OF
another nation to her long list of ene-
mics.
Use Caution in Aiming Ships.
In the matter Of permitting the arm
ing of American ships the government
will take every precaution, it is under
stood, not to go further officially than
1t has already gone in telling ship own
ers that they are justified in arming
for self-protection if they think it nee
essary. Strong opposition has devel-
oped to any step which would seem
to implicate the country absolutely in
the actual machinery or armament.
AS much as possible it has been de-
sired not to take any action which
might put the United States in the POI
sition of precipitating hostilities.
May Modify Submarine War.
London, Feb. 12.-An important con-
ference at headquarters has been
called by Emperor William. presum-
ably to discuss the submarine ques-
ton, says the Exchange Telegraph
company's Amsterdam correspondent
on Sunday.
DIR. Won Bethmann-Hollweg the i'm
perial chancellor. and high army and
navy officials will attend, and it is re-
ported, says the correspondent, that
the possibility of negotiations with
neutrals for modifying the terms of
the recent German memorandum will
be discussed.
U. S. Ships Sail for War Zone.
New York, Feb 12.-Unless the
United States government provides
conveys or guns and gunners to pro-
tect its ships, the American line, own
ers of the steamships st. Louis, st.
Paul and other liners, will not send
them across the Atlantic, it was an
nounced here by p. A S. Franklin,
president of the International Mer-
camille Marine.
This decision was reached after the
failure of efforts to provide their own
defensive armament, Mr.. Franklin
said. The only source of supply OF
guns in this country he added, seems
10 be the United States government,
and our government seems disinclined
TO afford this protection"
With the stars and stripes flying