The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-12

use this Government as a medium OF
communication with Great Britain would
not be accepted here as an answer to
the demands OF the United States with
respect TO the safeguarding OF American
rights.
II Is felt TO DO particularly desirable
that this fact be clearly understood In
Germany and officials are confident that
the paragraph OF the note quoted above
caves no room for doubt as to the pro-
posed mediation being purely a side Is
sue until the American demands have
been met.
The fear is that Germany will respond
to the Presidents note with many pro-
Sosals for the safeguarding of American
-shts without actually modifying the
German submarine campaign. While
officials here will be glad II Germany
is able to discover in this a means OF
solving the situation there Ia not the
slightest doubt that the Administration
la still OF the opinion that violation OF
American rights would inevitably fol-
low II Germany does not yield all that
tho United States demands.
II Ia not seen here how Germany is
to meet even the Presidents demand
as to safety for American lives with
out giving up her entire submarine cam
paign as IL has been c~onducted thus
far.
Germans here express the conviction
hat II Germany promises not TO attack
passenger ships tho United States's posi-
ton Will be fairly met. They make
the prediction that Germany will make
such an offer. hut IL is admitted that
this ffer is likely to be conditional upon
the separation by the United States OF
contraband and passenger traffic. Other
proposals OF q similar character also
are likely to be made by Germany.
There is little Indication in Official
quarters. however. that this proposal
will be any more acceptable to the
United States In the immediate future
than 1t was when first put forward
after the sinking of the Lus!;ania.
The majority opinion seems to he that
only a guarantee by Germany that she
will rave her submarines act IN ac-
cordance with the law Of visit and
search will assure the United States
that the rights of Americans win not
be violatcd in the submarine warfare.
II is pointed out also that II Germany
does once pledge herself not To attack
passenger ships then the principle she
sets up in her war zone decree. namely.
that an ships should keep away from
British waters. is departed from.
One possibility Is seen OF this sug-
gested proposal by Germany bearing
fruit. 1t Is thought by some persons
here thai II would not he unreasonable
to expect that an arrangement might
be made merely as "A modus vivendi,
involving no surrender of right on the
part OF this Government.
II Is pointed out ha; the United
States might consent to a separation
OF contrabdnd and passenger traffic. not
because II Is required TO do 50 but
merely as an unofficial action. Such ac-
ton would not. II Is emphatically stated.
invalidate in any way the demands OF
this Government for disavowal. repara-
ton for acts already committed and
assurances as to the future.
Up to this time the President has
shown no disposition to consent To this
as is evidenced by his rcfusa. to accept
such a suggestion from Mr.. Bryan.
Press Comment in Germany on the
note is awaited here with much in.
terest. as possibly foresiadowing tn,
attitude of the German Government
German press inmen is not accepted
at its face value by officials. how
ever. as thee German newspapers are
dominated by the War Office. II is mo-
even considered that the inspired news.
papers can be depended on as indicating
always what the Government intends I,
do.
Though there have not yet been any
designations at the State Department,
following that of Mr.. Bryan, 1t Is ex.
pected there will be some. It is prob,
able that these will be postponed unit!
the President has decided whether OF
not he will appoint Robert Lansing th'
permanent Secretary of State or selec
some other man.
Mr.. Lansing has not made an,
cha nCes in personnel or introduced an,
innovations into the State Department
since he has been in charge. An at
mosph.re OF harmony prevails. II is ex
pected. however, that after a permanent
Secretary is appointed a number o
changes will result. especially in III
cases of minor officials appointed by Mr.
Bryan personally, who are declared t.
lack training and fitness for the worl
they have been called upon to do.