Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-02-13
AMERICA TURNS
GERMAN PARLEY
PROPOSAL DOWN
To BE No Discussion While
Ruthless Subsea Cam
paign Is On.
REPLY OF u. S. IS FINAL
Germany Must Renew Sus-
sex Assurances and
Act Accordingly.

WAsHINGTON. Feb. 70. 49, The
United States has fatty rejected Ger
manys offer to discuss differences boz
tween the two nations whilc the ruth
less submarine campaign Is Ia
progress.
In note today TO tho Swiss min
istcr who on Sunday presented orally
the German proposal. Secretary Lans-
ing said the United States does not
feel II can enter into any discussion
with the German government concern
ing the policy of submarine warfare
against neutrals which II is now pur-
suing unless the German government
rcncws its assurances OF the 4th OF
May Ohe Sussex nOteJ and act upon
the assurances
The state department made public
the secretnry's reply. together with
memorandum which. at Mr.. Lanslngs
suggestion, Doctor Ritter. the Swiss
minister. had prepared last night
setting down In writing the suggestion
originally transmitted orally
Reports Confirmed.
Previously officials had declined to
confirm the announcement by the As
soclated Press Saturday afternoon that
such "A proposal had been delivered
| by Doctor Ritter.
The Explanation.
The state department gave out a
statement, as follows.
''ln view of the appearance In the
newspapers OF February ! / OF a report
J that Germany was initiating nogutia-
I tions with the United States in regard
To submarine warfare. the department
OF state makes the following state
ment.
"a suggestion was made orally to
the state department late Saturday by
the minister OF Switzerland that tho
German government is willing to nego-
tlato with the United States. provided
that the commercial blockade against
England would not be interfercd 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. Tho
communication is as follows:
"'NiEMORANDUM.
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-
vidod that the commercial blockade
against England will not be broken
thereby
(Signed) "'P RITTER
This memorandum was given i'm
mediate consideration and the follow
ing reply was dispatched today.
Americas Answer.
"'My Dear Minister:
i am requested by the president
e. say TO you, .n acknowledging tho
memorandum which you were kind
enough to scrd 20 me on the eleventh
instant. that the government OF the
United States would gladly discuss
with the German government any
questions II might propose for dis
cussion. were II to withdraw its procla-
matiCu of the 8lst Of January. in
which. suddenly and without previous
utimatiNu of any kind. IL cancelled the
assurances which { had given this
government the fourth Of May last,
hut that 't does not fee, that /. c&a
enter into any discussion with the
German goVcrnn cnt concerning tire
policy OF submarine warfare against
uCrtrals which H. is now pursuing uu-
less and urtil the German government
rvucVs its assurances Of the fourth OF
May and acts upon the assurance
$50 uther interchange on this sub
Icct has taken place between the gov
orumcnt aud any other government or
person
lnslnccrc, Belief.
In view of the fact that The Unltcd
States has taken the most vigorous
course possible short Of war t. de-
uouuCc the ruthless submarine war
fare. officials of the government re-
gard tho German proposal 10 negotiate
while the campaign is Ia prosress as
utterly insinccrc. From the first the
move has been looked upon and re.
scntcd as q piece Of propaganda de-
signed 20 bccloud the issue end put
the United states into Il false position
Of heiliEcrencv
The question OF whether navy gems
shall lc provided TOR American shiN
owners desiring TO arm their vessels
for dof1usc against submarines has
been submitted 90 President Wilson bv
the state and navy departments II Is
understood that the state department.
Tho governments spokesman on inter
national problems has rec, mmended
that the guns Doe provided.
There h. sud to hc no authority un-
der which the navy department can
actually supply the guns tho there
are ureCNdeutS for the loaTiug OF
weapons under bond for their return.
Under existing law only condemned
guns and stores can be sold by tho
navy.