The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-24
PRESS OF NATION INDORSES ATTITUDE IN

jcctivc Is for her to begin by observ-
ing the law of the seas herself.
When these paragraphs of the note
were read here tonight 1t was also
recalled that the phrase the freedom
of the seas" is being used by Germans
with a very different meaning from
that attached to it by this Govern
ment. The German Government, and
particularly its spokesman here, the
that the United States put aside It's
grievances on the submarine issue In
favor of attempting to effect an agree.
ment among the nations which shall
make the seas free to belligerents as
we'll as to neutrals.
The President. however, in neither
his June 10 note nor this last one has
made any response to this interpre-
tation of the freedom of the seas
but has contented himself with ar
endeavor to maintain the freedom OF
the seas as now prescribed by law for
the safeguarding OF neutral rights.
1t is apparent that this reference
In the Presidents note to the free
dom Of the seas" left a loophole for
another note by Germany. but 1t is
equally apparent that further dis
cussion even along this new line will
be impossible unless Germany refrains
from committing any more offences
against American life on the high
seas.
In other words. President Wilson hal
offered Germany "A means OF escape from
the present embarrassing situation pro.
vlded she holds in check her submarin,
operations pending the exchanges.
EHect Of the Note.
The effect of the Presidents note, a,
viewed here. is TO leave it absolutely
within the power of Germany to de.
termine whether or not a break shall
come. The expressions in the note ap.
parently make it impossible for tn,
United States TO submit to another sub
marine attack without acting.
What form that action would take tn,
President and his advisers have not de.
termined. The frs, step probably woult
be a severance of diplomatic relations.
Though the general purport OF The
Presidents note has been well under,
stood here for several days. the s~everit,
of its terms and the vlgor with which
the determination to maintain Ameri
can rights is exp. essed had not beer
fully anticipated.
II is believed hat the reading OF tns
notc y Il cause much surprise Throughout
the country. For the same reasons ;her,
will have in Germany. where, accoriirl
to all information received. the putlir
has been expecting "a far different sort
OF communication from Washington.
The note proceeds at the outset 4
pronounce very unsatisfactory" the las
note received from Germany because /
fails to meet the real issue. The Ger
man proposals contained in that note a
to the conditions under which Ameri
can may be permitted to voyage on tn,
ssas free from the submarine menace
are forthwith rejected as involving
partial suspension OF the principles 70
which the United States is contending.
Admission Of Illegally.
Germany's defence that her subma
nm programme is "A repr!sal is seizet
upon by the President rs an admission
that it is Illegal. More plainly han il
any of the previous notes the Presiden
tells Germany hat it is incumbent upol
her to give up 'inhuman and illega
acts against an enemy when they de
peive neutrals of their rights. "particu
larry the right to life itself"
Reference is made by the Presiden
70 the fact that recent German subma
rine operations have demonstrated tina
II is possible to use them in substantial
accord with the accepted practices o
regulated warfare. This statement
fatly contradictory of an opinion ex
pressed by the President in his frs
Lusitania note, is made the basis of "a
implied argument that Il is all the NOR
incumbent upon Germany to make a.
her submarine attacks conform 10 III
principles of international law.
1t is an interesting and signiican
fact tina but IA few hours before tn
note was given out for publication tn
State Department received a repor
from the Treasury Department showin
that investigation OF the Orduna case ha
brought substantiation of the first re
ports that the vessel, with "A score O
Americans IA board, had been the tar
get for a German torpedo. launche
without any warning to the liner.
Action In the Orduns Case.
On the basis of this report the Sta
Department will therefore ask the Ger
man Government for a statement on tn
affair. There is no probability, however
that the attack on the Orduna will b
made the basis for summary action b
this Government, such as Is indicated /
the note delivered to the German Gov
eminent to-day.
The President repeats his demand 10