The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-16
Such Course Not Acceptable to
This Country Unless Prac-
tees Complained of Cease
German Views
Are Disseminated
One Proposal Is That No Bel
ligerent Ships Carrying Con-
traband of War Shall Garry
Passengers

Washington. May f6.--Soms embar-
rassment was felt at the State Depart
ment today over the fact that SO far as
1t is officially informed. there is no
certainty that Ambassador Gerard has
yet delivered the Presidents note to
the Berlin Foreign Office. Officials
were hopeful, however, that 1t would be
found that the note had been delivered
today.
It Ia now generally regretted in off,
cial quarters here that publication of
the note was not withheld until IL was
definitely known that II had been re-
ceived in Berlin.
Speculation as to the possible course
OF Germany was continued today. The
one report of German press CONNIE mt
received here was seized upon with
avidity as the basis for new turn to
the discussion. This report stated that
the vossische Zeitung, said to be a
semi-official organ. expressed the opin-
lon that the German Government would
suggest that the question of German
submarine attacks on the American flag
and American lives be referred to arbi-
tration.
Does Not Find Favor.
This suggestion did not find favor
here. 1t was generally regarded as sig
nffyfng desire in some German quar-
ters TO dispose OF the questions raised
by the United States by tying up the
whole issue in arbitration. leaving Ger
many unmenaced and unhampered for
the remainder of the war.
1t was recognised. however, that In
view of It's past record in support of
arbitrations between governments the
United States cannot lightly thrust
aside any suggestion 10 this end from
Germany II IL considered, incorceiv-
able. however. that American officials
would consent to srbitrate the cases of
the American ships attacked and the
lives OF the Americans lost on the Lusi :
tania unless there was adequate guar
antee given by Germany al to the
future. Arbitration to be accompanied
by further attacks on American lives
and property Is unthinkable from the
American point of view. There is also
much doubt as to whether the eharac-
ter OF the issues involved in the con-
troversy with Germany properly per-
mits of their being submitted to arbf-
tration.
The German Government In its con-
cessions regarding submarine opera
TONS announced after the sinking of
the Lusitania, indicated its Willingness
to submit cases of Illegal attacks on
neutral vessels to arbitration. as pro-
vided under The Hague conventions
when there was a question of doubt as
to the responsibility OF the German
Government. The German Government
has never made an arbitration treaty
with the United States. SO II Berlin
does suggest arbitration of the ques-
tions now at stake, II will have to be
under the provision OF the general arbi-
tratton convention OF The Hague.
German Views Disseminated.
The case OF Germany in being assidu-
ously presented and Represented here.
now that public attention has been dis
tracted to a certain extent from the
American view of the situation. Though
the mbaSsy In refraining from all pub
10 comment on the Presidents note and
the issues involved therein. through its
friends the German arguments in their
defense are being thoroughly dissem-
mated In a way certain to bring them
to the attention OF the American pub
lilo between now and the time when the
reply OF the German Government may
be received.
II statements made here are to be
taken as foreshadowing the answer to
be mad, by Germany. indications are
that the German government will
frame It's reply to the Presidents note
with q view to drawing the United
states into a discussion. In fact, 1t is