Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-07-22
%BERNST0RFF Plan
TO TRAP LANSING
NET NO SUCCESS
Proposal to Have u. S. Open
Negotiations With England
on His Personal Assur-
anCes Rebuffed.
0RDUNA AFFAIR SHOCK
Washington Had Begun to Be-
lieve Germany Intended to
Comply With International
Maratime Laws.
0RDUNA AFFAIR SHOCK
(By Associated Press.l

Wy NoSCStdlSG FFeSS.)
Washinuton. D.. c., July 49,
News of the attack on the cunard
liner Orduna upscts the theory of
some officials mere that Germany,
while not yielding in the American
diplomatic demands, that unarmed
ships be warned of attack in ac-
cordance with international law,
was in practice observing that pro-
ceedure.
built for the successful effect Of the
diplomatic representations brought
about by the L-usitania disaster.
in support of their theory officials
had pointed out that the British
ships Armenian and Anglo-CaIi-
f%orniar, on both of which American
lives were lost, were warned before
attacked. lnasmuch as both at
tempted to escane-and one actual
iy did-the United States held it
could give its subjects in the cases
no relief.
The view that Germany was now
conducting her submarine warfare
in accordance with the principles
for which the United States con-
tends has been SO confidently en-
tertained in official quarters that
the attack on the Orduna came as
little less than a shock. Only yes
oSe'' sS'' oS'' wv
German ambassador, expressed to
Secretary Lansing his confidence
that there would not be another
disaster like the L~usitania's.
Washington. D. c., July 19.-The vex
ing situation between the United Statei
and Germany over neutral rights at Sc.
and the destruction of the Lusitani,
is looked on today as slightly improved
by reason of the conference between
secretary of State Lansing and Couns
Won Bernstorff. the German ambassa.
dor.
Chiefly. the reasons why 1t is i'm.
proved is that the talk of the German
ambassador. in his meeting with the
secretary of state, indicated he did nc,
believe his government would permit
further unwarned taking of American
life at sea. He did not think Americans
on passenger ships would be destroyed
In violation of international law.
This is one of several straws which
have floated about lately, indicating
that while the German government in
writing is defending the sinking of the
Lusitania. ana not admitting it's course
at sea mas been wrong. it is telling Its
submarine commanders not to treat
Americans On passenger ships as out
laws. but to observe the right of visit
and search, and to give those on board
merchant steamers the chance to take
to the boats.
Shows Better Disposition.
Thus. there is reason to believe that
the German government, for the pres.
ent at least. does not mean to inflame
America to the point of war, by anoth.
er Lusitania disaster.
But. While his is true, the conference
betWeen Mr.. Lansing and the German
ambassador has by no means cleared
matters up. On the contrary. there are
distinct indications that the German
ambassador has tried a clever anC
astute piece of diplomatic strategy ant
that the state department and the ad
ministration have their eyes open t.
1t and will avoid being victims of it.
The ambassadors visit was informal
as understood from authority, and he
expressed informally to Mr.. Lansing his
personal views of what he thought
about the situation. He urged media
ton between Germany and Great Brit.
ain by this government to clear up tn
controversy over neutral rights at sea
And he voiced it as his opinion tina
American life and property at sec
would be treated by his government il
accord with international law.
But Clever Ruse Failed.
Evidently the German ambassado,
hoped to have the state department anC
administration accept this informal ex
preston of his personal opinion a
amounting to an assurance from hi.
government, and proceed accordingly
at once taking steps toward mediation
and refraining from pressing German,
for formal assurances as to treatmen
of Americans at sea.
But this government nus far show
no indication of being so misled. l
the German government authorizes tn
ambassador to give assurances on tn
conduct of submarine warfare, thi
government will gladly accept Their
orally If Berlin does not choose to sen
them in a formal note. But it will
have to be clearly understood that the.
are something more h the oral ex
preston of the ambassadors view.
Officials here hope that if authorizes
assurances will be given it will clea
up the trouble which exists today won
derfully. But thev have not had them
and so far as publicly known Berlin I
not ready to give them.
u. S. Can't Back Up.
Herein is the crux of the whole sit
uation. furthermore. something muc
broader than the German conduct o
submarine war is at stake.
This nation cannot stop short OF con
tinued insistence hat h principal o
visit and search must be observed an
passengers and crews on merchan
ships allowed a chance for their lives
To recognize. wen by inference. ar
other doctrines would be more ia
reaching than generally believed.
prominent senator, IN a letter write,
here, has pointed out thai if this coun
try valves its rights in this respect
SO far as German submarines are con
cerned, then it may prepare to have it
rights. at sea still further ~disregarde
by the power that really controls tn
sea, that is England. and her allies.
In this matter of how its people z
sea shall be treated. America has t
IooE not merely to the present Germa
submarine situation. but to the futur'
This is a phase of the controversy
which has by no means received tn
attention 1t deserves.