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F. - - . A l l i. . THE WEATHER FORECAST. Fair to-day, with slowly rising tempera-' ture; to-morrow fair and warmer. Highest temperature yesterday, 15; lowest, 3. Detailed weather, mall and marina reports oA pago 11. VOL. LXXXIV. NO. 166. NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1917. Copjrlph:, 1917, 6y the Sun Printing and PuhlUMng Astoclatlon, nM? f T 'n flreater New York, I Fhewhrre UiNJjJ UEiiN JL Jersey Vlty ami Newark, I TWO CKNT8. WILSON FLATLY REFUSES TO PARLEY WITH GERMANY; BRITISH PATROLS FURNISH 300 MILE IMMUNITY ZONE; KAISER'S HAND SEEN IN EMBARGO NOTE FROM CARRANZA rmr a m r r r i t '- am fZ2Ha"s-ro -p- T'mr 1 1 bniiNc ruts all m aaam i i m m . v- , ... - matms i . iv v - a. a. i a. m a -- a w w i t UUW I . . l r. 1 HtW'. AHC f i - BRITISH GAIN BORE OK ANCRE They Occupy fiOO Yards of Tranches in Night Attack. COl'NTBU CHARGES FAIL Six Other Attacks Against Ger man Tositions Arc With out Success. London, Feb. 12. Again British troops tsTO ousted the Germans from positions north of tho Ancre. Last night the Brit ish captured 600 yards of a Oerman trtnch near the Beaueourt-Putsleux road, which run two miles went of Mlrnumont So difficulty was encountered In taking the trench, filr Douglas Hals reports. In night and day statements Berlin he littles the last few days advance" of the British on tho Ancrc front During last night British troops made six vain at tacks on German trenches on a two mite front north of tho river, many of them wiirlne white clothing; almost Invisible fiint snow. Tho Germans evacuated ts "unserviceable" tronch line near Berre, the statement says, referring to the lighting In which 2W prisoners were Uktn. ) Coonter Attack Repalsed. According to the British official state tent, however, tho Germans were anx ious enough to regain this trench to siake a counter attack early last night. They were caught In the quickly laid ar tillery barrage and by tho Lewis guns of tho troops tn thn trenches and were "esslly repulsed. ' The official statements Issued to-night u as follows : British We made further progress list night north of tho Ancre, In tho elghborhood of the Beaucourt-Pul-ileux road, where as a result of a small enterprise undertaken on a lim ited front, wo occupied some 600 yards ef hostile trench ' without difficulty. We took a few prisoners. Early In tho night th enemy at tacked our new positions south of "lerrelllll, but. caught by artillery bar ne'e and machine gun fire, was easily repulsed. The enemy's lines we.ro eu tered by our patrols at a number of (laces. Southeast of Armentleros one of our ' raiding parties blew up a hostile am munition dump and captured a few prisoners. This morning an . enemy raiding puty. observed collecting on the enemy's positions northeast of Nu!ll-St Vaast was dispersed by ir artillery. Successful bombardments were car ried out by us during the day north of the Sommo and In the neighborhood ef Armentlerea and Ypres. In the course of tho air fighting yes terday one Herman, airplane was r!un down, damaged. One of our machines Is missing. Calm on French Front. French There was Intermittent ac tivity by both artilleries in the region ef Beinnge and some sectors In tho Vofses. Ki try where else tho day waa calm. Belgian In the neighborhood of tho Ferryman's House there was patrol activity during tho courso of the night In the direction of Ilct Sas this morn ing bomb and grenade fighting oc curred. The artillery was moderately active at various points along the front German Array group of Crown Prince Itupprecht: Kast of Armen tler:s and south of Iji Uassee all tho attacks which had been prepared by lively artillery fire failed. During tho day strong artillery fire Was directed ngalnst our positions on loth sides of the Ancre Jtlver. During I the night English troops six times at tacked our wrecked trenches from Berre as far as I he river. All the at tacks were repulsed. The enemy suf fered severe losses In our dofenstvo Cre and to the north of Berre In hand to hand fighting. His hoops In many hiMar.cea woie "snow shirts.'' The trench line southeast of Berre. which had become unserviceable, was evaluated. This was planned and tanled out without any molestation and before the English attacks were launrhed. The French afternoon statement says: fa the rfg'oit of Berry-au-Bae tro Vm up with ruccess two mines at "A 108. In tho Chimpagne and the ill nine patrols were active during tto night. We carried out two sue tejiful surprlso attacks which enabled is to take prisoners one In the Ar janno, tho other In the sector of Hill l". Everywhere else tho night was calm. U Is confirmed that a German alr Jl'f was brought down on February JO In an aerial engagement. In the ro pon or Etouvelles, In the Alsne. Last nlnt our squadrons dropped bombs on the railway stations at Btenay, Dun-tur-Meute and Arhles. ZERO MARK REACHED IN CITY. Oaelal Mlnlinnm of Winter' Cold. est nay la .1 Absn. Vlnter rr'nnil Hia til inn In nn- Jt yesterday, and out In the suburban ireer hltlV. thfrnvimara wunt ilnwll to "rp. Un l.n 111. Inr nf h V1llltint1 BulUIIng lh olllclal rernM At 'I0 A . yt 3 above, tne coldest or the season by degrees, it waa at midnight, and jsr get down lo ytUrduy'8 tuluInMni wore breakfast time. Tho forecast . ii! ,or slowly rising temperature. . , 1,f",:0"1 wve arrected A wias area. Atlantic ottv aY,i..A- o .v. Nortnfleld, Vt., bundled ur with 7"w, fittstiurg had 4 bolow, 8t I'nul " w. Hloasant Vullry. seven mllt.a Sti ft J'oughkecpBlc. belled Its name . oeiow, and up in the AHlrondttcli Jrion the mercury rapged from 89 to 41 "ww. with Ice our feet thick on the ALLIES MET IN ROME TO SAVE SARRAIL Feared Attack by Creeks, Bonar Law Telle Common, and Solved Problem. Lokdoh, Feb. 12. How to savo (len. Harrall's ormy In Macedonia from at tack In the rear by tho royalist Greek troops of King 'Constantino was the pressing problem tlmt allied leaders met In Homo to solve. A,. Bonar Law, Chan cellor of the Exchequer, said to-day whlln speaking In tho House of Com mons on tho new war credit. There, was groat danger that tho Teu ton nnd Bulgarians, rrenforced by troops released by the capturo of Bucha rest, would commence a groat nttack on Gen. FarrnU's long front, nnd that the moment that attack startod Constantlne would order hla Greeks to "stab Barrall In the back." Attacked front and rear, the position of the allied army would have been most serious. The Homo conference, however, reached a decision on tho policy to lie udopted toward tho Government of the pro-Oer-man King- of the HMlenen, nnd that policy is now being followed carefully, Bonar Iaw said. Its wholp object Is to prevent nn nttack on Oen. Snrrnll's rear, and to that end the transportation of Greek troops and guns to the far off Peloponnesus In being forced. The allied commanders, he added, are now satisfied that the danger of such an attack is much less than a fow weeks ago. AMERICAN AIRCRAFT TO RIVAL ZEPPELINS "Manufacturers Assure Federul Officials They Can Produce tho Machines. Washington, Feb. 12. Piomtses of cooperation with the Government In ef forts to develop a satisfactory Zeppelin type of aircraft for the army and navy were made by leading. American airplane and rubber manufacturers at a confer ence here to-day with Bear Admiral David W. Taylor, chief constructor of tho na-y and head of tho joint army navy board Investigating the dirigible problem. A preliminary survey of the' materials and' plants available was begun, Hrul the manufacturers expro WM belief that hVc aircraft similar to tho Gorman machines could be turned out It Is regarded M probable that some method of ccntrallX' ln the work win "b. TnecVssan Tso that thS &ll o7ai plots' which En aW "lLrMhtotWM of the Connecticut Alt?rn Com5v the Curttai ? Aero- AaneaCompaTand the Goodyear. O- ?lch and United States Bubbcr compa- ngWtotCTovrnSrrVd iS. nauonat acxencc. Officials view the ZDDlm TroDJtm T ?n cLl tKn a KtentlOe morn as a commercial than a scienuuc one. With the funds nvallablo nnd the cooperation . of commercial plants thy ftl certain of their uhlllty tn construct ships that could duplicate the perform ances of the Oerman craft In durability and length of flight. Xr.At. InfAMnfillnn t-nit hftn rpfplved from England and elsewhere on to the natiir tit Xannollns hrnncM down during the present war. Fragments of th frame of one destroyed near iiooaon have reached the Navy Department, showing the peculiar trussed girder con struction of nn alumlr.um alloy to re duce weight and yet secure rigidity. FIRING ON BOATS DENIED. German V-Boats Never- Did o aai Will Wot. Berlin Says'. Behmn, by wlrelesn, Feb. 12. Iteports from British sources that tha lifeboats of the British steamer Eavestone wero fired upon by a German submarine aro mentioned In on Overseas News Agency announcement .to-day, which adds: "As soon an the submarine reports all the details regarding the question of the Eavestone will bo given out Mean while It is reiterated that no German submarine ever fired at lifeboats, nor will one1 do so In future." P00D SHIPS LOST. Ont of Ton Snnk Two Had Cargoes of Provisions for England. Bra MM. by wireless, Feb. 12. Of even steamers and three sailing vessels . i m. A ... t. Vt u "1 s m n BiiVimavlriA Jl . ...Vh r.... kw. Agency, two steamers carried metal and ' .rri.rt -oit nnA three were laden with either corn, nuts or provisions. Two of the sailing ves sels carried victuals for England. Benorts from Christian! say that the 7-;..Hn .t.nmrhln Korland was flrrd at by two British torpedo boats while In Norwegian territorial waters. HELD AS HOSTAGE. Yarrow dale Men's Statu EsnlaUed by Zlmsaer n. Biaj.tK, by wireless, Feb. 12. For eign Secretary Ztmmermann, explaining the Oerman Government's reason for detaining tho" soventy-two Americans brought In aboard the Ysrrowdale, said to-day' Germany would not release them until It was known positively that the crews or ucmiun iuii'b hi .fuircrii-au n - . t., l pori. had not been molested. Vk - " taken to be agreed to a week ago," said Ilerr Zlmmermann. "Thoso men had been taken off armed merchantmen snd their status had been established. Thoy will be .liberated just as, soon as we learn the fata of the G.routi crews In American ports,' Kmnrror William In Vienna. London, Fell. 12. Emperor William has arrived In Vienna on n visit to Em poror Charles, says a lleuter derjmtch from Amsterdam,-quoting 11 Viennn tele grain. THli ARKKNBsUBJt White Salpbu HoHags. West Va. Id.) time for th cure. Only one night from New rotk.Aiv. GERMANY BESET BY STARVATION Conditions Have Changed Greatly for the Worse in Last 5 3onths. MANY STAPLES MISSING Potato Allowance Inadequate, Cheese Is Gone and Meats Prohibitive. B Attociatfi Tress. Stockholm, Jan. 20. Food condition In Germany have changed greatly for the worse In tho last five mouths. The correspondent of the Associated Press, who had been away from Germany since the first week In August, has Just re turned from a stay of three weeks In Berlin. Ho found that many staples of food had altogether disappeared from the markets, others had grown so dear that they ate beyond the reach of any but tho well to do, the dally allowanco of potatoes had been reduced to ten ounces, nnd that cither a shortage of Hour or a disordered distribution of It among tho bakers had resulted In long lines of buyers standing for hours In front of the bakorlew. Maximum prices of tho foodstuffs con trolled by the Government nro still very low for potatoes and bread, and com paratively low for meats. Potatoes cost only 72 cents the standard bushel of CO pounds and bread a little less than S14 cents a pbund. But tho potato al lowance Is lnsunicient for people who have little but bread and potatoes to eat, and lias lo be eked out with turnips. No Cheese on the Market. It had been hoped to allow one egg per person each two weeks In Greater Berlin, but the last one egg nllowancu wns mado some rtve weeks ago nnd an other l not promised until February. .When th correspondent left Berlin In AUguS it 'was still possible to buy cheeiwrV Since the end of August there has beon no cheeso on the market. It is said that considerable quantities ore bclnr imnortcd from Holland, but it W" apparently to the front, except for Hmalluantllles allowed the restaurants i AnoTher'serlous reduction of available 1 foodstuffs has boen tho expropriation for .control by tho Government of all canned Vegetables. Four or five weekH ago the Tr I ... t Kti tu Anr nm b compelled to open each can be- for selllnir It. so as to force tho buyers 10 rnnsumn It at onco and not hoard It. Tho weekly allowance nf meat of all kinds In the Greater Uerllu municipal! ties runs from live and a quarter to I eight and three-quarter ounces. The rhoniiMt varieties cost about 60 cents a pound, the dearest 7 One of the most . cents. serious deprivations continues to be the lack of fats and olln. The weekly allowance of butter und oleo margarine together Is a little less than three ounces per hpud. Oil Is so ex pensive that It Is out of the reach of tho great majority. Thn correspondent paid 13.13 for about two-thlnls of a pint of hazelnut oil to be used for frylns. Goose fat costs $4.80 per can of seven teen and three-fifth ounces, nnd Is tho only fat except vegetable oils, that can be bought without a card. Hungry Feeling All the Time. This insufficiency of fats In the dally ration chows Itself In nn nlmost con tinuous feeling of hunger. Th corre spondent, experiencing this himself In the first days of his visit, remarked on It "I feel hungry nil tho time." said tho person addressed. Extending his Investigations, the cor respondent heard similar expressions from all sides. Tho bitterest complaints come from soldiers nt home. When the writer last visited the front In July tho men's rations were ample In every re spect and there Is no reason to believe the came Is not true to-day. Tho Boldlar at home thus notices the difference moro keenly than do those who havo had gradually to accustom themselves to one 1 deprivation after anothor. Thtro is a deadly monotony about tho mals In the average household. Break fast generally consists of rolls, maima. lads (often made or pumpkins), and a decoction of toasted ncorns, rye, chicory necociion 01 oasiea acorns, rye. cnicory w wnai not vnai goes uy mo namo or coffee. Thero Is no real coffee left Home tea, at high prices Is still to 1k had. but the poorer people drink a brew of linden blossoms, raspberry leaves or leaves of other-shrubs or trees. For the "second breakfast" there Is dry bread. The Dinner Menu. Dinner generally consists of boiled potatoes with salt some kind of bolted vegetable, nnd, on perhaps two day of the week, a tiny' piece of meat. Fish takes the place of meat on other days, unless one can buy 11 gooso at ii.lQ a pound (they cost 2 n pound Just be . . r 1 fore Christmas), a duck, nt fl.ti a i . nn - , P'"'- Vol" to SI 0 1 pound ' Com. little markets, apparently going to the hotels and restaurants, Bupper is tho problem In the average household. Generally thero arc no po tatoes left over from noon, and If there are there la no fat In which to fry them. The usual a or man Bupper before the war consisted of cold meats, sausngo, cheese, broad and butter and beer. There Is no meat, no cheese nnd no sausage, no butter on four or flvo days; of the week, no more bottled beer and many saloon keepers refuse to sell beer tn be drunk off the premises. Tho beer, moreover, ! all but undrlnkable. There remain then only bread and Continued on Second Poqj. SAFETY LANE TO ENGLAND IS SET 300 Mile Funnel Shaped Kontc Has a Great Patrol. ANDANIA BEPOItTS IT Cunardcr, Just In, Had Xo Troublo in Running the Gantlet. Losies of Shipping Since February 1 Losses of shipping of jhe Allies tad of neutrals since February r, when the German unrestricted submarine warfare commenced, have been as fol lows: Ships reported sunk yes terday 5 Total tonnage reported sunk yesterday 8,441 Total known tonnage previously sunk. x-70,599 Total known tonnage sunk since Feb. 1 179,040 Ships sunk since February x: American x Other neutrals 33 British 48 Other belligerents 7 Total ships sunk 88 With a 200 mllo funnel shaped lane of armed patrol ships tho British Ad miralty has taken extraordinary precau tions to guard tho arrival and departure from Channel ports and Liverpool of big British passenger and freight steam ships. This was divulged yewterdny by officers and passengers of the Cunarder Andnnla, In from Liverpool. It Is Inferred that adequate protection has not been extended yet to tho Gorman prohibited xone to the west and north of Scotland, otherwise the Anchor liner Cal ifornia might not have been torpedoed last week. The Andanla hrought nine passengers, including two Americans. Mrs. E. E. Flti gcrahl of Buffalo and her young son. "P. T. Fitzgerald, nnd llko the other voy agcr they wero not disturbed nbout their personal safety. Life proservcra wero handy, hut no one wore them even In the danger district Lifeboats were swung out ready for Immediate launching. Cnpt. Ni'lon was confident that ho could bring tho liner through with the protec tion afforded by tho light cruisers, patrol bouts nnd armed trawlers that literally' lined thn course for about 300 miles from , Fiistnct. J Gnard by I'ntrol Boat. Tho patrol boats were at times so close to tho Andanla that passengers could see them readily and they noted that they wero sepuruted by less than half a mile of sea In sumo places. Tho passengers learned from tho officers that the lane of I safety was so wldo at the western, or 1 sea end, that tho guarding craft were Invisible from the bridge of the Andanfa. The Andanla sailed from Liverpool on January 21, the day tho German Gov ernment, through Count von BernstorfT, delivered Its note to President Wilson declaring Its Intention to Innugnrato ruthless warfnm on merchantmen of nil nationalities In an urea that practically I taken In one-fifth of tho Atlantlcborder-, lng tho French and British coasts. The British Admiralty, according to Information obtained alioard the An danla, knew weeks before the vcnt ex actly what the submarine policy of tho Germans was going to ho nnd had been equipping a. large fleet of patrol boats to protect tho liners, which now Include many big freighters. When tho Andanla went down the Mersey her commander, Cnpt. G. W. Nelson, was aware that he would be protected 300 miles out tn sea from Fastnet or within nbout 100 miles of tho limit of tho danger area prescribed for neutml steamships bound to ports of the Entento allies. Tho skipper und his otllccrs know pretty well that they could expect llttlo mercy from German submarines, even If they had departed from Liverpool before tho period set for tha beginning of U-boat barbarity. That Is why extra lookouts were posted for ward and nft and why the Andanla zigzagged when she got out of the SOO mile line. Hhe also took a southerly course, seeing nothing of undersea craft or raiders. Inatnnt Precaution. It was the Impression of tho An dnnla's officers, as conveyed to pas sengers, that tho Bafety lane had boen established on tho very day of tho sail ing of the Andan'a and tint It was the anticipatory answer to Germany's note, that tho Whlto Star linur ilaltlo passed through this lano on her way to Liver pool with an Immense cargo of war ma terial and foodstuffs thero om be no doubt, and' that thu Adriatic, also of tho Whlto Star lleot, which sailed henco on Kebrunry 3 and should bo In or close to Liverpool tn-day, waa also guarded through thrt S00 mile H'rlp Is pretty certain. Whether or not nho had tha luck of tho Baltic may bo known ta-day. The logical conclusion of shipping men !3 that the British Admiralty ileol.lod to give Immediately tho limit of protection to Its great cargo olid passenger ships and Inter to afford as much protection at possible to neutrals bringing food and war mat,erlal to Urltlsh ports. Officers of tho Andanla did not con ceal their elation In evading enemy sub marines, and thoy gtvvo a distinct Inti mation that tho restricted sen. westward of tho British Isles would be quits as safe, It not safer, than It was before tha Inauguration of U-boat ruthlossnen. CARRANZA ASKS U.S.EXPORTBAN Bids Other Neutrals to Join in Itefusing: Belligerents Food or Arms. GERMAN INFLUENCE SEEN Suspicion of Use of Mexico as a Huso in Event of Hos tilities. Washington. Feb. 12. Secretary Lunging received to-day a formal note fioni First Chief Carranr.a suggesting that tho United States nnd other neutral nations net In accord to end tho Euro pean war by stopping all merchant traffic with the warring nations. The proposal, couched In persuasive language and setting forth nil tho unrumcnts which the German Government luis been repeatedly advancing, shows unmistak able signs of Germany's growing ac tivity in Mexico. A pointed out in Titc Sur to-day, tho attention of officials here has for romo weeks been toeussed on painstaking ar rangements which Germany has been making to uso tha Carransa Oovem treirt to Its own advantage tn cawj of troublo with tho United States. Iteports hc reached Washington concerning tho progress of this German campaign nnd tlw military authorities hero are admittedly concerned cnor probable serious trouble in Mexico coincident with any outbreak of hostilities between tho United States and the Gorman Govern ment Began by Von Pnpeu. Tho evidence of German activity dates back to tlie outbreak of the European war nnd shows that even then Capt von Papen had laid the groundwork for Ger many to uso Mexico as a basn of in fluence In the event of emergency. Tho Stato Department hero lias ob tained possession of a letter which near Admiral von Hlntze, German Minister to Mexico, wrote to the Imperial Chancellor von Bethmnnn-IIollwrg at tho outbreak of the war In which he stated in part: "Cant, von P.ipcn. tho Military At tache nf the Imperial Legation, hoe been hero slnco tho 23d of March. Il settled down into the complicated situation rapidly and easily and In a short titr.w gained a sure Judgment of his own, and In nceordnnco therewith he acted use fully and without hesitation. "llerr von Papen leaves on the 30th of July for Washington. I would be guilty of nn omlsnlon if I did not mention him with commendation to your Excellency on this occasion. I would, however, go further and humbly mention to your Excellency that I consider that the ser vices of rapt von Papen during his ap pointment hero warrant his recom mendation to the favor of his Majesty the Emperor and King." lied Kngle Is Snt'Ke.trd. It was suggested that the fourth c!as of the Order of tho Red Eagle ba be stowed Upon Capt von Papen for his extraordinary services on behalf of Ger many In Mexico. For months after that, according to reports received here, tho Influence of Germany In Mexico was demonstrated In a striking manner. Horst von der Goltz, when captured by tho British, made a sworn statement on February 2, 1910, In which he 'showed that Carranza r.srt eieased him from his duties as Major In the Mexican army in order that ho might pursue his duties In tho fathcr l.ind'n behalf. In the acute ntnges of the crNls be tween Carninza and tho United States the tnflueneo of Gormmy In Mexico ap pears, according to information received heio, to havo been constantly and adroitly exerted to prevent any full ad justment of difficulties. Tho latest ad vices Indicate that Germany has shown a readiness to actuilly cooperate with certain of Carranza's pollcle nnd to ho of iisslstanco In any way possible. Believed tn lie Inspired. Taken In conjunction with this welt known German activity, hleh has boon very closely followed here, the Carranzn note to-day Is generally regarded us In spired by Germany and as Indicating In directly that Germany and Mexico would be united by a bond of sympathy In case tlie break between Gcrmuny und the United Slates leads to open conflict. All the German argument In favor of cutting off food and munitions! to the Entento arn found In the Mexican com munication. The note furtheimoro layi stress on tho humanitarian nspvet of such action and In Its phraseology seeks to appeal to those in the United Slates who havo sought to persuade President W'lson to adopt the German viewpoint. Tho timeliness of the note, too, la re garded as significant STARVATION IS URGED. Carransu nrllevrn It the Only Way o End the Wnr. Washington, Feb, 12. Gen, Car ranza has sent a note to tho United States, Argentina, Brazil nnd Chllo, as well as to all other neutral nations, The communication asks the nations to Join In nn agreement to prohibit the export from tholr countries to tho war ring European nations of foodstuffs nnd munitions of war. Tho Carranza note, handed to tho Htnto Department by It, p. du Negri, Chargo of the Mexican Embassy, tnvya ln pari : "Over two yenrs ago thero began (in the old continent tho most gigantic nnnml conflict which history records, spreading death, desolation nnd misery among the belligerent nations. This tragic strug glo has deeply wounded tho sentiments of humanity of nil the countries not tak ing any paitlclpatlon In tho struggle, nnd It would not be Just or humauo that these nations should remain Indifferent before such groat disaster. A deep sentiment of human brotherhood therefore obliges Continued on TAfrtt Pan: Germany's Suggestion and Reply of U. S. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. The State Department gave out to-day the following: "In view of the appearance in the newspapers of Feb ruary 11 of a report that Germany was initiating negotiations with the United States in regard to submarine warfnre 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 Switzerland 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 nnd presented to him by the Swiss Minister Sunday night. The communication is as follows : " 'MEMORANDUM. " 'Tha Swiss Government has been requested by the German Government to say that the latter is now, as before, willing to negotiate, formally or informally, with the United States pro vided that the commercial blockade against England will not be broken thereby. (Signed) P. RITTER.' "This memorandum was given immediate consideration and the following reply was despatched to-day : " 'My Dear Mr. Minister: " 'I am requested by the President to say to you in acknowl- ' edging the memorandum which you were kind enough to send to me on the 11th instant that the Government of the United States would gladly discuss with the German Government any questions it might propose for discussion were it to withdraw its proclama tion of the 31st of January, in which, suddenly and without pre vious'intimation of any kind, it cancelled the assurances which it had given this Government on the 4th of May last, but that it does not feel that it can enter into any discussion with the Ger man Government concerning the policy of submarine warfare against neutrals .which it is now pursuing unless and until the German Government renews its assurances of the 4th of May and acts upon the assurance.' "No other interchange on this subject has taken place between this Government nnd any other Government or person." 'SANDBAGGED,' SAYS GERARD He Says CJernmny's Attitude Toward Him Assumed tTliat Character. Coras'HAfin.v, via London, Feb. 13 (3. to A. M.). The attempt of the Ger man Government to negotiate through James W. Gerard, who had retired as Ambassador to Germany, desired con cessions and pledges was of iv naturo to lead Mr. Gerard to characterise It In conversations with a Foreign Office rep resentative as "sandbagging." Ho refused even to transmit tho text of the concessions desired unless he was allowed to report In code a prlvllego of which he had been deprived since tne rupturo of relation. GERARD REAL PRISONER. Mnll nnd Wires Stopped Just Be fore Depnrtnre. Zuntcil, via Paris, Feb. 12. Mo.n of the members of AmUassador Gerald's party heaved a genuine sigh of relief Sunday afternoon wtwm the Swlis border was reached, for the strain of tha last few days hnd told more or loss on tho majority of tho travellers. Tho strain of tho situation for the Americans In Berlin had boen holtrhtened toward tho end by the efforts of the, German authorities to Induce Mr. Gerard to open negotiations for an amendment to tho Prussdan-Ainerinin treaty of 1799, Ambassidor Gerard's telephone wires wero cut. his mall and telegraphic privi leges stopped so that he could not oven Instruct the American Consuls and he was. In his own words, a prisoner. Delay followed delay and one excuse was urado after another until Friday night, wben the Inorclijn Office suddenly announced Its willingness to pormlt Mr. Geianl to depart on the following day. Mr. Geranl's farewells wero Ald In a friendly, though for.-r-al, manner. Many 1 formly courteous treatment accorded Germans were In the throng at tho sta- Gorman vessels, but officials want a dc tion, which consisted partly of Amorl- ' tailed account of the status of tho two cans who had not received permission war vessels nnd tho eight merchantmen io nep.iri on tno emnassy train una must mere in oraer to present a final report await tho po.lco routine before bolng showing the conditions in all American allowed to leave. I harlmr.i. Such a report has already been Washington, Teh. 12. Official reports i rocohed from the Philippines and In op tho arrival of Ambassador Gerard ! eluded In tho blnnket statement prcvl ar.d hi suite at Zurich. Switzerland, 1 ously sent to Germany, ip.ichod the Stato Department tn.Jay ; Eventual release of the Yarrowdale from American Minister Ktovnl! at Hern Prisoners is reini-d.! .i nnrii They added nothing to tho information , urgent proton against their reimprlson nlreidy published. Minister Stovall's i mU will ho made at onco. despatch, dated yesterday, follows : ' A peremptory demand for the rtleose Ambassador Gerard with staff and ' of these prisoners was about the lairt party have arrived at Zutlch and will , Instruction sent to former Ambassador reach Bern 9 o clock this evening. All . Gerard. Though the vessel entered port ?nHr' nLi VV'blf'u,?,;."t 1 ln ("mn' December 31. Its arrival was General of the Swiss army, especially "csiMimieu uy me reoerai Lvuncil, wel comed Men on bcluilf of the Swl-u Gov. eminent." BRITISH THANKFUL. Hal four Exprrssrs Gratitude to I'nge nud Gernrd for Wnr Work. T.onpon, Feb. 12. A, s. Balfour, Sec retary of State for Foreign Affnlif, In n lioto to the American AmbnvKador nt London, Waller 11. P.xgo, reuticsts him to convey to his Government tho llmhks of tho British Government for the action taken In transferring British interest In Gurntnny to tho Netherlands Minister nt Berlin, nnd adds: "I desire to tuko this opportunity of expressing his Majesty's Government's deep nppteclatlon of the care nnd dovo tlou with which tho United States Gov eminent has taken chargo of British In terest!! ln Uerinniiy since tho outbreak of the war, "His Majesty's Government nro fully consclou,' of tho Immense nmount of CuMlliturtI on T7i(rd Paijr JAILING SEAMEN STIRS LANSING Germany's Action in Yarrow dale Caso and New Treaty Reach State Pept, Washington, Feb. 12. Formal noti fication of the detention In Germany of tho seventy-two American sailors brought In as prltoners on tho prize ship Varrowdale waa given to the State De partment to-day by Dr. Paul Hitter, Rwls3 MinlHter here, acting for the German Government, together with an Inquiry us to tho sUtus of the crews of the German ships In American harbors. Germany, Dr. Bitter said, had decided to hold the Yarrowdalo prisoners until she had hnd definite assurances that ! German crews In American harbors would not bo held or Imprisoned. This development, wholly unexpected, was amazing to the American Govern ment Officials hero had to como to the conclusion that tho early reports which misled tho German Government as to tho treatment of German crews here had been effectively dispelled by tho forwarding of complete details. As this Included tho Presidential announcement that German ships would not'bo seized now or In the event of war and full In formation about the attitude of the Gov ernment toward tho German sailors, of ficials tire wholly at n loss to know whnt kind of report could have so suddenly changed Germany's attitude. Onery Sent to Hawaii. A query was at onco cabled to the uovcrnor of Hawaii, the only place where German ships aro warbound wnero an the conditions are not known. Thero Is not tho least thought that any variation win no rounu there in tha unl not reported for military reasons tin January 19. Following reports that there were Americans 011 board three direct In quiries were made, culminating In a list of sixty-four American sailors held prls oner In Wcstfalen mado publlo by tho State Department only n few hours he. forn President Wilson announced tlm severance, of relations with Germany to Congress. Immediately afterward tho announce ment of a piotest against tholr Imprison Hunt and demand for their relvace wns given out lit thu State Department. Tho next day enmn word of their release nnd It wns supposed until to-day that they would go out of Germany with the other Americans. New Treaty Offered. Germany's proposal for a reaffirmation of tho old Prusalnn-Ameilo.nl ti initios of 179'. and 1S2S, with u lung list of added clauses to model nlzu nnd extend pro vlslii3 relating In tho treatment of enemy residents In cnr.o uf war, hns been transmitted formally to tho Stato De partment by Dr. Httttr. Thin Is the pro. 1 . Continued on Second Pane. President's Quick Answer Checkmates Move to "Embarrass Him. BERLIN'S SINCERITY IS AGAIN DOUBTED His Action Prompted by a Message From Newspaper Correspondent. DR. GEORGE KIRCHWEY AND BRYAN INVOLVED Former Interceded to Get Despatch Sent Telling of Anti-War Sentiment. Washington, Feb. 12. President Wilson definitely nnd finally closed tho door to-day to nil parley mid discus sion of compromise with Germany na long ns the Illegal submnrino decree remains in operation. Ho told Berlin, through the Swiss Legntion here, that this Government "does not tool that It can enter Into nny discussion with tho German Government concerning tho policy of submarine warfare against neutrals which It Is now pursuing." His reiteration of this Government's position was mado by the President in response to tho Intimation from Berlin, transmitted by the Swiss Minister hero to Secretary Lansing, that Ger many was willing to negotiate with the United States, "provided thut the commercial blocUudo against England will not bo broken thereby." Tho German proposal wns first mado known to this Government by tho Swiss Minister on Saturday, us re ported in Tub Sun. Sunday night a formal memorandum wns delivered. Tho text of tho German proposal, to- gether with tho President's prompt re ply, was given out by Secretary Lansing to-day. It disposes of tho report that Germany's reported movo was merely part of tho German propaganda In tho unuen Mintes instigated by Count von BernstorfT acting In collusion with Will iam J. Bryan and other pacifists. Wilson's Checkmate. It Is made clear now that whatever embarrassmort this movo has caused the Administration's policy und whatever tendency It has had to weaken the bel ligerent spltlt hero are due directly to tho Im1terl.1l aerman Government Only the fact that tho President has acted promptly and with decision has check mated whatever advantages Berlin hoped to gain. Officials here aro convinced tnat Ger many has not counted upon this sug gestion working anything but an un favorable response from this Govern ment The view they take Is that It wus designed, like the German peaco pro posals, to throw responsibility for hos tilities between tlie two li.itions, should they eventuate, upon this Government Iteports Kent to Geiinany of the pacifist sentiment in this country and particu larly concerning the nrtivitles of Mr Bryan are believed furthermore to havt. hnd moio or Icfp to do with its Inspira tion. Germany doi not expect to nvold n clash with this country, but that she Is counting much upon -i divided sentiment here, which may rnue deliy valuable to her plans, officials' here do not for 11 minute doubt. Kor this reason thero s cjnldcrabln feeling hern in oifielal circles against all those Instrumental In prompting tho Gorman more, which admittedly bases all parley on complete surrender of tho basic iirlnclp'.a which the President made the reason for severing diplomatic rela tions, in enect Germany assumes that the stand taken by the United State l-i not that which President Wilson 1ms out lined and that this Government might I. ready to repudiate it. Close Srrutlii) 1 Taken. Officials were naturally concerned to know where Germany could havo ob tained this Imprmolnu, nnd It !b In this connection that the activity of Germans, pacifists nnd certain neutrals here ban' come under the clofo suutmy of the State Deptrtment. Whether or not Count von Bernstorff. the dlnnli-sed German AmlwRMdor. in- ' spire! tho idei Is not definitely known. 1 It 'h trctty well oj.tnhllt.hcd, however. I Hint Mr. Bryan, Dr. George Klrchwey, former dean of the Columbia Law School, and other peace advocate.', who got busy . hero Immediately after thu break, con ferred with Dr. Gonrgn Harthelme, Washington correspondent of tha semi official Cologne Oairlfe and a clowo friend of Count von Bornstorff and tli Swiss Minister. Some of Dr. Barthelme's despatches to the Cologne. Oatettc were held up bo cause of tho Htrlngent Government su. pervlsloti of navy wireless, which be came moro severe Immediately upon the rupturo of relations with Germany. Un der there regulations the censors nt f-'ay-vllle and Tuckurtnn blocked his des patches nnd reported them to the Navy Department which lit nun Informed the State Department. There n .'H some ques tion ns to whether Dr. narthelme. In addition to being a German newspaper correspondent, wns not an agent of th German Government. iioiil liv llr. It In.lnvri II has now been nscortalnod that after Dr. Bnrthi'lmn'H despatches had boen held up nnd tho muter was still under consldeintloti by the Siinte and Navy departments i-'oorctary Daniels received a call from Dr. Klrehnuy, a friend ot Mr, HryanV, who asked that Dr. Bar thelme be permitted ,o send through h.s despatches. Secretary Dan.els admitted to-d.lj that he had received such a call from Dr. Klrchwej, and tl.ut subbcqucntly l-iyyfWicr I mi