The Washington times., 1915-06-03

the Revised Statutes. prohibiting the
transport of explosives on passenger
vessels. Moreover the department has
in mind the fact that merchant vessels
outward bound from England for the
United States. and obviously not en-
gagged In transporting ammunition, have
been torpedoed by German submarines.
No Guns Reported.
Tending to show the belief of the
state Department that the Lusltania
was not armed. Counsellor Lansing de-
clared today in answer to questions
that. bearing in mind the distinction
between armament on merchant ships
for defensive purposes, which the law
allows. and that for offensive purposes,
which it does not. Collector Malone
had been instructed to advise the de-
partment Of every ship about to ieave
the port armed. and to let tine depart-
ment decide In each instance whether
the armament was defensive or onen-
sive.
In the case Of the Lusitania, he said.
Mr.. Malone had never reported tne
specially reDorted. since the disaster,
that before the Lusitania sailed on her
last voyage. his inspectors searched her
from top to bottom and found no guns
and that in line with the usual prac-
tice. these inspectors had even exam.
ined the decks to see that they had not
been REINFORCED for the purpose or
mounting guns. ,
absolutely to discuss the details of the
interview yesterday between the Pres
idnt and Count Won Bernstorn. the Ger
man ambassador, 1t was apparent to-
day that while the exchange. Of views
may have served to clear the atmos-
phere somewhat 1t did not result In
any decision on the part Of the Pres
ident to revise his ideas as to what the
rejoinder to Germany should contain.
.. To Remain Here.
That Ambassador Won Bernstorff will
remain In Washington all summer this
year, instead of spending the warmer
months at some Eastern resort, as
usual, was announced at the German
embassy today.
The decision was generally taken as
meaning that the Kaiser's representa-
tive believed his talk with President
Wilson Wednesday and the Govern
mission of messages between himself
and Berlin, would give him a more i'm
portant part to play in transacting busi-
ness between the German and Ameri-
can capitals than he has taken since
war began interrupting his line Of COM
munication with the Berlin foreign Of
fee.
The feeling in German circles today
was that the Presidents chat with
the ambassador had rendered 1t un-
likely that he would send so uncom-
promising a note to Germany as the
newspapers are still predicting. In
some German quarters there was oven
an inclination to think the President
never had 1t in mind to write as un-
yieldingly as the press has assumed,
and II this was true, 1t was believed
Wednesdays interview must have
confirmed him in his supposed atti-
tude.
Those who hold such views express
the opinion that the Executive recog-
nized the business of the German
claims concerning the presence OF
cannon-if cannon actually were pres
ent-on the Lusitania and that, an
accusation having been made against
Germany, the Germans are entitled to
demand proof of it's truth.
IF proof was forthcoming. they ar
gued that the Berlin governme ment t
wrong done and to make all possible
reparation. That the Kaiser was
ready to give assurances against at
tacks on unarmed vessels they be-
neNed certain.
Complete Summary.
Count Won Bcrnstorff begged the
President to take into consideration,
before making any definite reply to the
German note. that communication be-
tween himself and his government was
very difficult; first. because Of inability
to make use of cables that do not pa as
through enemy's country: and. second,
because OF the rapidly deteriorating
static conditions surrounding the dis
Patch of wireless messages from Say
vile and Tuckerton at this time of the
year.
''He added that If 1t had not been for
these conditions the German note would
nave gone more thoroughly into the
questions issue. but that he had been
unable to properly acqucint his govern
ment with the real sentiment in this
country before the note was sent.
He expressed his conviction that II
time permitted before the President 8
reply he would be able to secure from
the imperial German government the
following so-called concessions to
American sentiment.
"First-That Germany Is willing to
discontinue its submarine attacks on
vessels aboard which there are known
to be citizens of the United States, If
the United States Government, on the
tthSt hdhd, Will SuSSccl 10 CltlZenS OI
the United States that IN tho future,
wheE taking passage for Europe, they
should travel only on such vessels as
are known not to be carrying contra
band of war.
'Second-That the imperial German
government will not attack merchant
vessels of any country with subna rines
until such vessels are positively known
10 De CARRYING contraband Of war.
Third-That Germanys course will
DO made much easier in this direction
II the President will issue a proclama-
tion stating that ships of belligerent ma
tlons carrying contradand of war must
not accept United States citizens as
passengers. In that event Germany will
be able to conduct her submarine war
. fare in the future without coming into
any conflict whatever with the United
States.
"Fourth-That Germany would agree
providing the United States Government
brought about the condition outlined
above. not to attack by submarine any
merchant vessel whatever, belligerent or
otherwise travelling the high sas ith
passengers. whether carrying contra
pand OF war or not, without fret giving
passengers and crew an opportunity OF
seeking safety in boats and RATS.
THE ambassador could not give any
guarantee that Germany would make an
undertaking covering the points specific
ally mentioned, but he believed If proper
lE@N