Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-20
MAY SUSPEND ATTACKS
Washington Unwilling to Re-
cede from Position Based on
Humanity-But Might Press
Contention Regarding Right to
Ship FOOdstufis TO Germany.

from Ambassador Gerard as to the atti
tudc of the German government toward
the recent American note, official Wash
ington attached much significance to-day
To the limitations in diplomatic quarters
here friendly to Germany that the latter
country in its reply might offer to sus-
pend attacks without warning on mer-
chant ships while tn" United states re-
neWed its informal proposals for the un-
restricted passage of foodstuffs to civil
ans in Germany
1t was pointed out by well informed
European diplomats that an offer Of arbi-
tfaton or settlement by diplomacy of
the questions at ISSUE. would most GER
tainly be made by Germany, with an
agreement to abandon submarine war
fare while the discussion was in prog
ress
4. 5. NOT TO RECEDE FROM STAND
Officials have been reticent about dis
cussing the idea of arbitration or the
proposal with reference to foCdstuffs,
but il was indicated that the situation
had progressed to the point where the
United States would not be likely to be
satisfied with any conditional acquies.
cence in the American position. The lat
ter, 1t was pointed out, is based on
legality ana humanity and no stipulation
could be considered which presumed any
recession 10y the United States from her
rights under international law. 1t was
intmat"d. however, that If Germany ac-
cepted the American point Of view, the
natura! tendency f the United States
Of its own initiative would be strongly
to press it contention on the right to
ship foodstufs to Germany, a matter
still under diplomatic discussion.
There is "A likelihood. too. that some
understanding might be reached through
the medium of the American government.
whereby Germany could be definitely as
sured that no merchant ships leaving
the United States would be armed maxi
ing it possible for submarine command
ers TO exercise the right of visit and
search with impunity
.oISARMINC MERCHANTMEN
Whether Great Britain would consent
to dscrm all her merchant vessels carry
ing contraband is a matter of conjecture.
EHpllnJ has insisted that n prize should
&c sunk only in case of military neces-
siry. This position has been taken by the
United States in it's naval code of instruc-
neutral goods of non-contraband charac-
ter aboard belligerent merchantmen
would require the payment of heavy dam
ages.
There has long been some difference of
legal opinion. however as to whether
neutral goods could be shipped with legal
immunity aboard an armed or even an
unarmed merchantmen of belligerent ma
l. hn
chantmen which Germany has contended
makes it difficult for submarines - give
warning.
That the question Of permitting Am
orleans to travel on armed merchant
men may be shortly taken under con-
sideration is minated in we'll inform
ell quarters. On the other hand some
officials believe there will be little
necessity for this as Great Britain al
ready has informally agreed not to
arm her vessels plying between the
British and the American ports.
What is regarded as one of the hope
full signs in the general situation is
the confidence reflected in official and
diplomatic quarters that Germany will
meet the United states at least half
way ana certainly will suspend for the
time being her submarine attacks
without warning during the diplomatic
correspondence
In the connection there has been
much comment here over the recent
announcements from London, that
Great Britain did not understand from
Germany's answer last March that the
principle of submarine warfare would
be abandoned 1t was noted that the
same understanding arose when the
German and British replies were re-
the abandonment by Germany of sub
marine warfare and the use of mines
in return for American supervision of
the distribution of foodstuffs if Eng
land agreed to their unrestricted pas
sage to Germany when consigned to
civilians.
What Germany said in her reply was
this,
THE German government would un-
dertake not to use their submarines to
attack mercantiles of any flag except
when necessary to enforce the right
OF visit and search. Should the enemy
nationality of the vessel or the pres
ence of contraband be ascertaned sub
marine warfare would proceed in ac-
cordance with the general rules Of in
ternational law"
What England said after reading tho
German reply was: