New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-19
lYrum ne Tribune Bureau. J

Washington. Feb. 1s.-There will be
no receding From or modification OF
the position enunciated by the United
States in the note TO Germany pro-
testing against the suggested menace
to American commerce in the opera
tions Of submarines within the pre-
scribed war zone areas surrounding
the British isles, It was said at tho
State Department to-day. II became
evident In Washington Immediately
the frst complete transcript OF Ger
many's answer to the American note
was made public, that there was moth
ing in IL to call for more than polite
reiteration from the United States that
the protection Of neutral commerce in
the war zone was a subject for the
consideration and attention Of Ger
many herself, and that the United
States was not prepared to initiate
action looking TO the protection OF
her ships and cargoes in the war zone,
but would hold Germany TO strict ae-
countability for any untoward happen
ing resultant from the activity Of her
war engines In the air, on the seas, or
under its surface.
Germany's reply served TO increase
rather than TO diminish the concern
of Washington officials over possible
complications. They are apprehensive
over the formal statement in the nots
that Germany disclaimed all responsi-
biity for what might happen to neu-
trail vessels venturing. in the danger
areas. The additional warning, too,
that mines would be laid by Germany
in the waters surrounding Great Brit
ain and Ireland was regarded not only
as menacing ships carrying legitimate
cargoes, but as likely TO add further
to the Interruptions which American
commerce has suffered since the out
break Of the war.
President wilson and Secretary
Bryan read a copy of the note, and,
while no comment was made either At
the White House or the State Depart ,
ment, the feeling OF grave concern was
manifest.
The suggestion made in the reply
for cooperation and further negotia-
tion with the United States looking 70
provisions for the safety of American
merchant craft, .srgoes and passengers
will be met with a polite but frm re-
joinder that the responsibility is Ger
many's and not to be shared by the
United States, for the reason that the
intention to hold Germany responsible
for losses Of life or property Of Amer
leans is fixed in the policy OF the
United States.
The proposals, indicating that the
conveying Of merchant ships by Amer
ican cruisers or destroyers would be
entertained as a possible solution or
the problem, will be held by the United
States to be untenable ror similar res
sons, with the further suggestion that
the function Of warsbip in conveying
merchant vessels is TO protect them
from attack by an enemy. II is In no
sense, IL is held, the Office of the war
ships of a neutral nation TO protect
its commerce against the activities OF
belligerent warships.
The charges embodied in the original
war zone proclamation that Great
Britain, through her Admiralty, ordered
the misuse of neutral flags by her
merchantmen for purposes OF decep-
ton are reiterated in the German
note. On this point the State Depart
ment is expected to explain that a note
has already been sent to Great Britain
urging that such use Of neutral flags
be discontinued and expressing the
hope that the Admiralty will. il II has
uttered such instructions TO merchant
masters, rescind them. The State De-
partment is not in possession of any
facts tending to show that such In
structions from the Admiralty were
issued.
That Germany does not consider the
note received to-day TO be her COM
plete and final answer 10 the Ameri-
can protest is regarded here as evi-
dent because there was not included
in il any suggestion that American
vessels would be safer IL, when ap-
preaching the limits OF the war zone
st night or in the afternoon. they
hove TO and awaited the coming OF
sunrise, so that a full period Of day
light might be enjoyed in making port.
II is known that Germany has this
suggestion in mind and that at one
time its inclusion In the note made
public to-day was considered. That II
has been withheld Is believed to be due
TO the fact that Germany did not wish
TO put all her diplomatic eggs in one
basket. II is the one suggestion thus
far understood TO be cSSsidered as =
modification Of the waf rome procls-
nation which might receive eonsidera.