Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-21
j. s. REFUSES TO
DISCUSS U-BOAT
WAR WITH BERLIN
WILSON MAKES ANSWER TO GER
MAN GOVERNMENTS CONFER
ENcE PROPOSAL.
WANT U. S. SAILORS FREED
Mote Of Inquiry Regarding Yarrowdais
Prisoners Detained in Germany
Break With Austria Thought
Nearer.

Washington, Feb. 13.--The state de-
partment made public memorandum
presented by Or. Paul Ritter, Swiss
minister. acting for Germany. propos-
ing 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 interfeTed with.
The American government has re-
Piled that it cannot enter negotiations
unless Germany restores the Sussex
piedges and withdraws the proclama-
ton of unrestricted submarine war
fare.
The state department gave out a
statement as follows
In view Of the 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 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
linn by the Swiss minister Sunday
night The communication follows:
The Swiss government has been
requested by the German government
10 say that tie la.-er is now, as before.
willing to negotiate, formally or in
formally. with the United States pro-
,ided that the commercial blockade
against England win 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:
My dear Mr Minister. am re-
quested BY the presideS5 to say 70 you
IN acknowledging the memorandum
which you We're kind enough to send
10 me on the nth instant, that the
government Of the United States
would gladly discuss with the German
government any questions it might
propose for discussion. were il 10 ws'h
draw its Droclamations Of Jan. II. in
which. suddenly and without previous
lntimation OF any kind. il cancelled
me assgraaces which it had given this
government on May 4 last: bat that il
does not feel that 1t can enter into
any discussion with the German gov.
eminent concerning the policy OF sub.
marine warfare against neutraIs which
IL is now pursuing unless and until
the German government reuews it's as.
surances OF MAY and acts upon the
assurance
No 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 a confer
enCe was conceived by Ambassador
Won BernstorfT that he induced Or
Ritter. Swiss minister. 10 go TO the
state department and mass unofficial
representations and that through Dr.
Ritter, von BernstorE's suggestions
we're before the state department.
Demand Release Of Y Americans.
An inquiry concerning the redeten
lion by Germany OF the seventy-twC
American seamen brought in by the
prize ship Yarrowdale was dispatched
% Berlin on Tuesday BY the Unitec
States. preliminary to more Wigs rous
action II the men are not promptly re
leased
The plight Of these sailors occt. pied
much OF the time at a cabinet meet
ing, given over to the Internal .ona
crisis. II was agreed that their liberty
sgainsshould be demanded n most en-
phatie fashion Pending complete re
ports as to the Treatment as 70 German
crews on warbcLnd ships in the Philip
pines. Hawai- and elsewhere. however
the government will content itself with
the inquiry as to why the American.
are held and under what conditions.
Austrian Break Nearer.
There are strong indications that
severance Of relations with Germany
viii soon be extended 10 the other cen