UNITED STATES' REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES' REPLY.

TO OERAIANY'S NEW MOVK. Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Feb. 12. The State Department announces the receipt of a memorandum from the Swiss Minister stating that Switzerland lias received a request from the German Government to notify the United States that Germany is willing to negotiate with the United States, provided the commercial bhekade against England is not broken thereby. The State Department lias replied that the United States will gladlv discuss with Germany any question it may propose, provided Germany withdraws its proclamation of January 31, in which, suddenly and without previous intimation of any kind, Germany cancelled the assurances' it gave to the United States on J ray 4 last, "but that the United States does not feel that it can enter into any discussion with (he German Government concerning the policy of submarine warfare against neutrals which it is now pursuing, unless and until the German Government renews its assurances of May 4, and acts upon the assurances."

BRAZIL'S REPLY TO GERMANY,

HOLDS HER RESPONSIBLE. Received Feb. 13, 8.35 p.m. London, Feb. 13. , Brazil's reply to the German submarine Note declines to accept the blockade as being effective or regular, and holds Germany responsible if Brazilian interests are affected.

A GERMAN MOVE,

CARRANZA THE CATSPAW. ' i Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. New York, February 12. 'President Carranza of Mexico is issuing ji communication designed to shorten the war, urging not to send supplies, including munitions, to any belligerents. TMs is generally interpreted as a proGerman move in order to bring pressure to bear on tho United States. RISE IN BRITISH IMPORTS. London, Feb. 12. In view of tlie submarine blockade the Board of Trade figures for imports of fcreign and colonial corn to the United Kb:gdom last week are particularly interesting, namely—Wheat 2,77(1,2(10 cwt,, maize l,O(!!).30O cwt., compared with 1.111,800 cwt, and 4!15,5(H1 cwt. re-spec-tholy for the same week last year. VESSELS LOST. London, Feb. 12. The Greek steamer Vasilissaolga (MOO tens) has been sunk. The crew were laikled. Tho British steamer Xetherlea (4227 tons) has been sunk. Received Feb. 13, 8.35 p.m. London, Feb. 13. The Greek steamer Aghiosspyridon has been submarined. There are five survivors, the captain and the rest of the crew being drowned.

SUGGESTED NEGOTIATIONS. Washington, Feb. 12. The State Department admits that Germany is willing to negotiate with the United States if the commercial blockade of Britain is not interrupted. The United States in reply states that they will willingly discuss any question if Germany withdraws the U boat decrees. GERMAN TRICKERY. New York, Feb. 12. The Berlin correspondent of the United Press arrived at Berne with Mr. Gerard. He telegraphs that Germany demanded that Mr, Gerard should sign a treaty guaranteeing that German ships should leave American harbors in the event of war, and threatened to hold the correspondents as hostages unless Mr. Gerard signed. Mr. Gerard refused, declaring that if the Americans were held it would be a casus belli. Germany granted the correspondents' passports four hours before the train departed. •Germany ,is delaying permission to other Americana to leave, for possible retaliatory measures in the event of America'declaring war,