Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-07-09
NO GERMAN AGREEMENT
UNTIL THE WAR ENDS
That is the View Now Taken of
the Submarine Issue.
RUPTURE IMPROBABLE.
Berlin is Expected to Offer No Con-
cession in Dispute.

bdseu OH lillOlUldllOH IahEIuitNeu
through Ambassador Gerard and press
despathces from Berlin. the conclusion
was reached at Washington yesterday
that the note which Germany is about
to send to the United States contains
little or nothing that viii satisfy the
views of this government regarding the
submarine issue.
Since the Administration has decid-
ed that il cannot discuss informally
with the German Government certain
proposals which seem to represent the
limit of Germany's concessions, the feel
ing is general inWashington that the
situation Will not be materially Inn
proved by the German reply about to
he given TO Mr.. Gerard
II cannot be said that the Admins
tration is greatly disappointed at the
way the situation has shaped itself in
the last few days. For severtl weeks
reports from Berlin have repeatedly
indicated that no very substantial con-
cessions were to be expected from the
German Government.
Nevertheless. in the face of these re
ports. the hope has persisted that the
German Government would at least
submit something which might furnish
the basis for further discussion. If
the present indications are accurately
interpreted, Germany is about to offer
no real concession, but to propose in
fact that the United States be the one
to yield
The prospect, as now viewed by
Washington officials, is therefore that
the United States will be compelled to
inform Germany that she has not met
this Government on the principles in
olyed and to demand for the third time
reparation for past offences and assur-
ances for the future freedom of Amer
can life and property from tho menace
CT German submarine operations.
This far from satisfactory outlook,
however, is not regarded as foreshad-
owing a break between the two govern
ments. Officials see no reason why q
rupture should follow merely because
! Germany's proposals now seem certain
to be rejected. Provided there is no
further wanton attack on American
life or the American flag it is believed
that the discussion of the issue may
continue indefinitely.
That it will remain 8 disputed ques-
tion until the end of the war is regard
ed as within the range of possibility,
urovided always that there is no repe-
tition of such disaster as the Lusita-
MAS. Officials do not feel that the
opunffx fc ,o,t, ,,raeef,,e. g.. a ,,,,,.,.o.
in which a break with Germany is the
only alternative to her acceptance Of
the views of the United States.
Secretary Lansing has declined TO
discuss what instructions. If any, the
President has ordered sent to Ambas-
sador Gerard regarding the response
that the latter should make TO the
statement of position given him at the
German Foreign Office It may be said
however, that Mr.. Gerard will not be
authorized to discus at the Foreign
Office the German propositions in ad-
vance of their being received in the
from a note from Germany.
In view of the fact that the German
Foreign Office did not specifically ask
the United States to give its opinion Of
the proposals, it is felt that the more
delicate and courteous course would
be TO refrain from bluntly informing
Germany that this Government will not
discuss the proposals in advance of the
note. Thus the German Government
viii not he put in the position of being
rebuffed in its advances.
1 r..aIn or.nr tEot 4Hr
German Government is attempting to
conduct its preliminary negotiations
with the mass of the American people
| through the press instead of with the
UNITED States Government Further.
more, the plan is regarded as involving
unneutral action by this Government
To certify which vessels are not car.
rying contraband would, it is pointed
out, make it clear that all other vessels
leaving American ports did have con.
traband on board. thus simplifying the
task of the Germans in attempting Il
prevent contraband from reching theil
enemies.
The Germans, as a matter of fact
/ can obtain such information for them
4
vessels clearing from United States
ports are open to the public. Fer tn,
| Government to transmit such infoTma
tion to Germany would be an unneu
tral act, according TO opinion here. Al
regards the two other points in the
German proposal attention is called
first to, the fact that BY virtue Of theil
clearance from American ports ths
German Government has a guaran-
tee such vessels are not armed yes
sells Of war, and second. that the Uni
tee what an yvessel, not under its or.
ted States Government cannot guaran.
ders, will do when it meets a German
submarine
1t is considered absolutely out Of the
ment should guarantee that any shin
or ships would stop when signaIIed by
a German submarine.