AMERICA'S ATTEMPT TO END BLOCKADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 66, 18 March 1915, Page 5

AMERICA'S ATTEMPT TO END BLOCKADE.

SIR EDWARD GREY'S REPLY TO WILSON'S NOTE.

GERMANY'S UNWILLINGNESS TO GO HALFWAY.

LOS DOS, March 17. The text of America's identical Note to Britain and Germany is published. It confirms the suggestions made a fortnight ago. America explains that she has taken the liberty to make suggestions as a sincere friend, with the hope of serving the interests of humanity. Sir Kdward Grey's reply said that as Germany's answer to the Note did not indicate willingness to abandon submarine attacks on merchantmen or the use of mines on the high soas, it appeared unnecessary for Britain to make a further reply than to take the Note as Germany's answer. Sir Kdward Gn-y sympathised with America's desire to see the war conducted under the rules of international law and according to the dictates o£ humanity. Britain had thus conducted the war, but on tlie German side it had been different.

The United States Xote expressed the hope that Germany and Great Britain, by means of reciprocal concessions, may discover a basis of understanding which will free neutral ships from serious dangers. "This suggestion," the Note states, "is not a proposal, but the United States takes the lrberty of a sincere friend who is actuated by a desire to serve the intrresis of humanity. Any agreement would be a modus vivevndi based more upon suitableness than legal right under international law." America suggests that no isolated drifting mines should be laid and that all mines should, bear a Government mark and bp constructed so as to become harmless if thc-y break loose from an anchorage. The Xote suggests that the mercantile ships (if both parties should not employ neutral flags. Great Britain, it is proposed, should agreo that foodstuffs should not be included in absolute contraband, nor hold up rargoos addressed to agencies in Germany, the names of which should be communicated to the United States for the purpose of handling goods to licensed German retailers for exclusive distribution among the civil population. The German reply states that Germany sees in America's suggestion a new proof of friendly fcolinps. "•The. suggestions,' , the Xote says, "correspond with Germany's wishes that naval wnr should be waged according to rules which take into consideration the interests of neutrals as well as tlie laws of humanity. The observance of the Declaration of London by Germany's enemies would create a new situatiou. It is not practicable for the belligerent Powers fully to renounce the eiiiploj-meiit of anchored mines for offensive purposes. Germany is willing that German submarines should only employ force against merchantmen for purposes of search. If hostile nationality and the presence of contraband were proved, the submarines would prpoceed according to general international* rules. It is obvious that hostile merchantmen must not be armed, and should refrain from offering resistance." Regarding the importation ot food, it is suggested that the regulation should include indirect importation via neutral ports. Hostile Governments would have to. allow a free passage to Germany for any raw materials included in the free list of the Declaration of London, and treat as foodstuffs all materials contained in the list of conditional rniitnibaud. The German Xote concludes: "The effects on neutral shipping would be substantially diminished if the importation of war material from neutrals to belligerents were stopped, but tho adoption of a definite attitude must be postponed until the British reply is received." The American Xote of 22nd February proposed that mines should be used exclusively for defensive purposes within gunfire of a harbour, -»nd that submarines should not attack merchantmen except for purposes of search. Great Britain, it was suggested, should agree not to hold up foodstuffs addressed to agencies in Germany, which would distribute them exclusively amongst tlie civil population. Germany replied that she was prepared not to employ driftin« mines, and submarines would only be employed in search work. The suggested regulation of food supplies, to be generally acceptable, should include fodder and raw material for manufactures.