Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-02-15
PRESIDENT NOTIFIES GERMANY
THRoUGH SWISS MINISTER
THAT U.BoAT DECREE MUST
BE WITHDRAWN.
WOULD GLADLY ENTER
DISCUSSION AFTER THAT
stats Department Issues Statement
Outlining Proposai OF Germany for
Conference Looking Toward
Prevention Of Armed Clash
Reply Made Thereto.

washington, Fed. Il. ~~ Presldent
Wilson mas formally notified Germany
that the United States can enter into
no negotiations tending to avert an
armed clash between the two nations
until the now U.boat decree Ia with.
drawn.
The Presidents communication. sent
through Swiss Minister Ritter, repre-.
senting the German government In the
United States. was made public by the
State department after 1t had been ad.
mitted overtnres had been received
from the German government.
This government declared It would
sladly discuss anything with Germany
but only In event Germany with.
draws her U-boat decree OF January
81 and rcnews her pledges of May 4th
lAst In the SUSSEX case. ~.
Germany proposes to negotiate for
the safety OF American shipping pro.
vided the commercial blockade OF
England In not interfered with.
Edlct Must DO Withdrawn.
In reply this government said:
IT would gladly discuss with the
German government any question II
might propose for discussion II 1t with.
draws It's U.boat decree"
In admitting that II had received a
suggestion from the German govern
ment win the Swiss minister the de.
partment gave out the following state
ment.
In view OF the appearance in the
newspapers OF report that Germany
was initiating negotiations with the
United States In regard to the subma-
rine warfare. the Department OF State
makes the following statement:
State Department Makes Statement.
A suggestion was made orally to
the Department of State by the minis
ter OF Switzerland that the German
government la willing to negotiate
with the United States provided that
the commercial blockade against Eng
land would not be interfered with"
At the request of the secretary OF
the state this suggestion was made
In writing and presented to him by
the Swiss minister.
The communication In as follows.
'Memorandum--The Swiss govern.
ment has been requested by tho Ger.
man government to say that the latter
II now. as before. willing 10 negotiate.
formally or Informally. with the Unit
cd States provided that the CONNER
cial blockade against England viii not
b broken thereby.
"'tsignedp r. RITTER
This memorandum was given i'm
mediate consideration and the follow
ing reply was dispatched:
Government Makes Reply.
my Dear Mr.. Minister; am re.
ouested by the President to say to
you In acknowledging the memoran.
DUN which you were kind enough to
send me ON the nth inst. that the
government Of the United States would
gladly discuss with the German gov.
eminent any question II may propose
tor discussion were II to withdraw its
proclamation Of the aist OF January,
In which. suddenly and without pre-,
vious information OF any kind. 1t can
celed the assurance. which II had civ.
en- this government on the 4th OF May
last. but that 1t does not feel that 1t
can enter into any discussion with
the German government concerning
the policy Of submarine warfare
against nentrals which II Is now pur.
,suing unless and until the German
government renews Its assurances OF
the 4th OF May and acts upon the a.,
sarance. | am, my dear minister. etc
TO His Excellency. DR., Paul Rit,
ter, minister Of Switzerland
mo other exchange on this subject
has taken place between this govern.
ment and any other government OF
persons"