The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-05-18
NOTE IS DELIVERED
J AT WILHELMSTRASSE
3 ERICAN NOTE PRESENTED TO
IMPERIAL GERMAN FOR.
EIGN MINISTER.
IS SUGGESTION
FOR ARBITRATION
6bmarine Attacks Will Be Made
Merchant Vessels For Present
Is IntimatiOn.

Is IntimatiOn.
~ Washington, May 15.-Word tat
j Ambassador Gerard had read and pres
sented to Herr Won Jagow, minister
for foreign affairs of the imperial Ger
man government, the American note
sent Thursday as consequence of the
Lusitania tragedy and other occur
rences in the war zone, removed all
anxiety here over tie delay in trans
mission and awakened iLtense interest
in the nature of Gernaay's reply.
In view of telegrapaic and cable
delays and the probable necessity fer
conferences between the foreign min
lister and the imperial chancellor, ro2
Bethmann-Hollweg, and doubtless En-
peror William himself, it would not
be considered surprising here if the
response did not arrive for another
eight days. 1t wes believed possible,
however, that Ambassador Gerard
might report eariie- on the manner in
which the American note was received
by the government anG the semi-oidcial
press.
Let-up in Attacks.
IN the interim confidence prevails
among tie high officials anu is s-areI
in German official quarsers that there
will be no submarine attacks on pas
senger vessels while the questions at
issue are being resolved.
The intimatioa waioa come in press
dispatches today Indirectly from Ber-
lin to the effect that Germany would
be willing to submit the questions
raised by the American note to arbi-
tration was received with much in
terest, and it was indicated t1at if
there was a suspension Of Submarine
warfare On merchant srips while the
discussion was in progress, the plan
might be given serious consideration.
Arbitration also had been talked Of
here before today's press dispatches
arrived. Some German officials hao
intimated that although witnou: ad-
vices from Berlin, they were confident
from previous knowledge of the desire
of d1e German government TO remain
friendly with the United States that
arbitration at this time when most Of
the great powers whose participation
might be desired are at war was point
ed out by some diplomats, however, as
making tee plan impracticable.
A Peaceful Settlement.
That some way would be found to
reach an amicable settlement between
the United States and Germany was
Ehe growing conviction of many Off
cials and diplomatists today. A variety
of views was heard.
One which was given serious
thought was a proposal to refuse
clearance to belligerent ships carry
ling munitions of war Or absolute con-
traband if they also carried passen-
gers. This would involve no embargo,
but a separation of passenger and
contraband traffic.
The United States stands firmly on
1he legal side of it's citizens to travel
on any ships and believes its position
is indisputable.
Germany, however, holds that this
e.as become a debatable question on
account of changed conditions and if
the two classes of ocean-going traffic
were separated submarines would lin
it their activities to contraband Ships
alone.
The objection to this, however, in
the opinion of some officials, is that
tie plan still would not provide for
the humane treatment which inter-
national law prescribes for the crew
of vessel carrying contraband and
making no resistance to visit and
search or any attempt to run a
blockade.
To torpedo without warning or even
to give time for the crew of vessel
carrying contraband to get into small
boats, it was pointed out. would leave
them to the mercy of the high seas
unless a big boat happened to be
nearby. This is the position taken
in the American note and some Off
Gals doubted whether there would be
any concessions on this point, for it in
wolves the principle of humanity for
which the United States has taken SO
vigorous. a stand.