The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-05-18
berlin RECEIVES
WASHINGTON NOTE
Probably Eight Days Before
Answer Will be Made.
TALK OF ARBITRATION.
High OHciais Believe Submarines
Will Not Attack While Ne
gotiatiOns Are On.

Washington, May 15.-Word that
Ambassador Gerard had read and
presented to Herr Won Jagow, min
lister for foreign affairs of the I'M
| perial German government, the
American note sent Thursday as a
consequence OF the Lusitania tragedy
and other occurrances in the war
zone, removed all anxiety here over
the delay in tranmission and awak-
ened intense interest IN the nature
| of Germany's reply.
In view of telegraphic and cable
! delays and the probable necessity for
conferences between the foreign min
lister with the imperial chancellor,
Won BethmannHollw and doubt
less Emperor William himself, 1t
would not me considered surprising
here if the response did not arrive
for another eight days. 1t was be-
lieved possible, however, that Am
bassador Gerard might report earl
ier on the manner in which the
American note was received by the
government and the mi-oficial
press.
In the interim confidence prevails
among high officials and is shared in
German official quarters that there
will be no submarine attacks on pas
senger vessels while the questions at
issue are being resolved.
The intimation which came in
press dispatches today indirectly
from Berlin TO the effect that Ger
many would willingly submit the
question raised by the American note
to arbitration was received with
much interest, and 1t was indicated
that II there was a suspension of
submarine warfare on merchant
ships while the discussion was in pro-
gress the plan might be given seri-
Gus consideration.
TALK OF ARBITRATION.
Arbitration also had been talked
of here before today's press dis
patches arrived. Some German Off
cials had intimated that although
without advices from Berlin they
were confident, from previous knowI-
edge of the desire of the German gov
ernment to remain friendly with the
United States, that arbitration would
be welcomed. The difficulty of con-
stituting court of arbitration at this
time, when most of the great powers
whose participation might be desir-
ed are at war, was pointed out by
some diplomatists, however, as max
ing the plan impracticable
That some way would be found to
reach an amicable settlement be-
tween the United States and Ger
many was the growing conviction of
many officials and diplomatists to-
day. A variety Of suggestions were
heard.
One which was given serious
thought was a proposal to refuse
clearance to belligerent ships carry
ing munitions of war or absolute
contraband if they also carried pas
sengers. This would involve no en-
barge but separation of passenger
and contraband traffic.
The United States stands firmly on
the legal right of it's citizens to
travel on any ships and believes its
position is indisputable.
Germany, however, holds that this
has become a debatable question on
account of changed conditions, and
If the two classes of ocean-going
traffic were separated submarines
would direct their attention to con-
traband ships alone. }\
AT MERCY OF HIGH SEAS.
The objection to this, however, in
the opinion of some officials, is that
the plan still would not provide for
the humane treatment which inter-
national law prescribes for the crew
of vessel carrying contTaband and
making no resistance ITO visit and
search or any attempt to run a
blockade. To torpedo WITHOUT warn
ing, OF even to give time for the
crew of a vessel carrying contraband
to get into small boats, 1t was point
ed out, would leave them to the
mercy of the high seas unless big
J boat happened to be near by. This
Is the position taken in the American