Proposals of the De Facto Government of Mexico for Terminating the European War. Mr. Ramón P. De Negri to Feb. 12 Transcribes note from Min- 324 the Secretary of State. ister of Foreign Rela- The Secretary of State to Mar. 16 Replies to communication of 326 Feb. 12, 1917. PART XIV Severance of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and Germany. The German Ambassador Jan. 31 Announces Germany's inten- 330 2307 The Secretary of State to Feb. 3 Refers to previous corre the German Ambassador. spondence between the 335 The Minister of Switzer- Feb. 10 Transmits German Propos- 338 341 als relating to the Treaty man interests in Amer ica to the Secretary of State. press, Feb. 12, 1917. Statement given to the Feb. 12 American refusal to discuss submarine warfare against Statement given to the Mar. 12 In view of Germany's an press. nouncement of Jan. 31, 416 The Secretary of State to Mar. 20 States the Government of the Minister of Switzer- interests in America. the United States does not 1799. The Minister of Switzer- Mar. 30 Forwards communication of State. the German Government 343 344 345 347 Circular telegram to all Apr. 2 Informs them of President the missions. PART XVI Wilson's address to special Page. 349 Severance of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and Austria-Hungary. Ambassador Penfield to the Feb. 1 Quotes note of Jan. 31 358 Secretary of State (tele gram). from the Austro-Hunga- The Secretary of State Feb. 14 Instructs him to inquire of Austro-Hungarian Govern- cona case. Ambassador Penfield to the Mar. 2 Quotes aide memoire handed 361 363 gram). him by Austro-Hungarian Hungary's pledge given in Chargé Grew to the Sec- Apr. 8 Severance of diplomatic re retary of State (tele lations between the United gram). States and Austria-Hun gary. 371 2639 Secretary of Embassy Tar- Apr. 20 States the Imperial Otto ler to the Secretary of State (telegram). man Government has in- The Secretary of State Apr. 23 Informs him of the sever to Ambassador Sharp ance of relations between The Secretary of State to Apr. 23 Same, mutatis mutandis, as The Secretary of State Apr. 23 Same as above.... to Minister Droppers (telegram). The Secretary of State to Apr. 23 Same as above... Chargé Wheeler (tele gram). 375 375 OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS RELATING TO NEUTRAL RIGHTS AND COMMERCE. PART I. DECLARATION OF LONDON. (Continuation of correspondence printed in Special Supplement, July, 1915, pp. 1-8, and October, 1916, pp. 1-13.) No. 4191.] The Secretary of State to Chargé Laughlin. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 18, 1916. SIR: The Department has received the Ambassador's No. 4181, of July 10, 1916, enclosing for the information of the Department a copy, in duplicate, of the text of an Order in Council, dated the 7th of July, 1916, entitled "The Maritime Rights Order in Council, 1916," which effects a change in the rules hitherto adopted by the British Government to govern its conduct of warfare at sea during the present war, and transmitting, also in duplicate, a copy of a memorandum which has been drawn up by the British and French Governments explaining the grounds for the issue of the Order in Council mentioned. You are instructed to address a formal note to Lord Grey, with reference to the Order in Council of July 7, 1916, and the memorandum of the same date on this subject, and say that the Government of the United States, after giving these documents careful consideration, deems the rules therein set forth for the guidance of British authorities as at variance with the law and practice of nations in several respects, in regard to some of which the United States has already made known its views in prior correspondence, and that the Government of the United States reserves all of its rights in the |