The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-08
u. S. STAND UNCHANGED.
Awaits Reply 10 Note before En-
gaSinx In Discussion.

WASHINGTON, July 7.--Until Germany
has declared herself on the principles
invoked by President Wilson In his notes
on the submarine issue. the United states
Government will not engage in any IN
formal discussion at Berlin on details
OF proposed arrangements for continuing
submarine operations without endanSer-
ing American lives.
Ths Presidents advisers who are in
Washington feel II would be unwtse for
this Government to express an opinion
on the statement Of the German posi-
ton and tentative proposals transmitted
from Berlin this week by Ambassador
Gerard. 1t is expected that the Presi-
dent will inform Mr. Gerard that this
Government must wait until the German
official reply Is received before even con-
s.der'ng practical suggestions in regard
to the submarine issue.
1t was learned tonight that no reply
has yet been sent to Ambassador Gerard.
The President, according to advices
from Cornish, already has made UP his
mind and has communicated with Sec
retary Lansing, who undoubtedly will
rsss the word on to Ambassador Gerard
tomorrow. As understood here. the
President stands firmly by his previous
u'terances on the submarine issue and
Ambassador Gerard undoubtedly will be
told that this Government does not feel
issue until Germany has expressed her
self on the principles involved--has said
whether or not she intends to abide by
the principles of International law.
In quarters where the precise nature
NJ Amba ssador Gerard's communication
is known, IL was suggested to-day that
possibly II would not be necessary TO
direct the Ambassador to say anything
20 the Foreign Office. II was learned
ha Enrpipp not
specifically ask the Ambassador to OBJ
tain tho views OF his Government on the
proposals outlined TO him and that II
WAS upon his own initiative that the
Ambassador asked for instructions. Con-
sequently il was considered that the
United States Government might say
Eo,hing, but await the German note.
Authorities here were much interested
In unofficial reports from Berlin late to-
day to the effect that the note would be
handed 10 Amba ssador Gerard on Sat
urday
Count Won Bernstorff. the German Am
IA, ,ador, returned to Washington to-day
and called on Secretary Lansing His
trip 10 Washington after an absence o'
moro than two weeks was for tie pur'
pose Of renewing his close touch with
the situation here.
The attitude Of the Ambassador since
'he submarine issue first arose has beer
IN sharp contrast to that of Germans
like Count Won Reventlow. The Am
hassador has left no stone unturned &c
smooth the path of the correspondence
between the two Governments on the
submarine issue.
The theory was put forward here to
dav that the German Government nigh
not have had any intention of engaging
VI" United States in a preliminary in
formal discussion by giving Ambassado
Gerard I'm advance an outline OF thu
German proposals. II Is suggested tn
outline was intended merely as evidence
that The German Government was har'
az work trying 10 prepare an answer L
IL" American note Of June ..
~ a matter of fact the situation will
regard 10 the submarine issue has no
been changed in the slightest degree b!
developments of the last few days. TIL
proposals transmitted through Ambassa
nor Gerard are pract .cally what hav
neon looked for in Washington for sew
eral weeks
The important fact which seems q
nave been overlooked Is that the Unite'
states has no intention OF closing tn
Hoor 20 Germany for further negotia
ions and that with both countries show
lns friendly spirit and with German,
Hl'posed ~ make concessions the isSu
VIII probably continue In the real dplo
matte discussion.