The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-02-15
]. s. REFUSES TO
DISCUSS U-BOAT
WAR WITH BERLIN
WILSON MAKES ANSWER TO GER
MAN GOVERNMENTS CONFER
ENcE PROPOSAL.
WANT U. S. SAILORS FREED
Note OF Inquiry Regarding Yarrowdaie
Prisoners Detained in Germany
Break With Austria Thought
Nearer.

Washington, Feb. 13.--The state de-
partment made public a memorandum
presented by DR.. Paul Ritter, SWISS
minister, acting for Germany, propos-
ing a discussion with the United
States over the new submarine cam
paign.
Germany proposes TO negotiate for
the safety of American shipping, pro-
vided the commercial blockade" OF
England is not interfered with.
The American government has re-
piled that it cannot enter negotiations
unless Germany restores the Sussex
pledges and withdraws the proclama-
ton of unrestricted submarine war
fare.
The state department gave out
statement as follows:
"In view Of the appearance in the
newspapers Of Feb. IL of 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 late Saturday
afternoon by the minister Of Switzer-
land that the German government Is
willing to negotiate with the United
States. provided that the commercial
blockade against England would not
be interfered with. At the request Of
the secretary OF state, this suggestion
was made in writing and presented to
him by the Swiss minister Sunday
night. The communication follows:
1.-The Swiss government has been
requested by the German government
to say that the latter is now. as before.
willing to negotiate, formally or in
formally. with the United States pro-
vided that the commercial blockade
against England will not be broken
thereby
"'P. Ritter
Reply to Swiss Minister.
This memorandum was given i'm
mediate consideration and the follow
ing reply was dispatched Monday:
NY utdl MI. ALI re-
quested by the president to say to you,
In acknowledging the memorandum
which you were kind enough to send
TO me on the 18th instant, that the
government OF the United States
would gladly discuss with the German
government any questions it might
propose for discussion, were 1t TO with.
draw its proclamations of Jan. 81, in
which, suddenly and without previous
intimation OF any kind, II cancelled
the assurances which IL had given this
government on May last but that II
does not feel that ii can enter into
any discussion with the German gov
eminent concerning the policy Of sub
marine warfare against neutrals which
It Is now pursuing unless and until
the German government renews its as
surances Of May and acts upon the
assurance
mo other interchange on this sub.
feet has taken place between this gov
eminent and any other government
or person"
Developments indicate in the minds
OF officials that the idea of confer
ence was conceived by Ambassador
Won Bernstorff that he induced DR..
Ritter. Swiss minister, to go to the
state department and make unofficial
representations and that through DR..
Ritter, Won Bernstorff's suggestions
hafnFn ha tat
Demand Release OF II Americans.
An inquiry concerning the redeten.
ton by Germany OF the seventy-two
American seamen brought in by the
prize ship Yarrowdale was dispatched
10 Berlin on Tuesday by the United
States, preliminary TO more vigorous
action II the men are not promptly re.
leased.
The plight OF these sailors occupied
much of the time at a cabinet meet.
ing, given over to the international
crisis II was agreed that their liberty
again should be demanded In most EN-.
phatic fashion. Pending complete re.
ports as TO the treatment as TO German
crews on warbound ships In the Philip
pines, Hawaii and elsewhere. however
the government will content itself with
the inquiry az to why the Americans
are held and under what conditions.
Austrian Break Nearer.
There are strong indications that
severance Of relations with Germany
will soon be extended to the other cen