The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-17
mediate the maritime differences be-

mediate the maritime differences be-
tween England and Germany.
The last note, as the Genma AM
bassador CONSTITUTES 1t. contains an
authorization by the German Govern
ment TO the United states t. undertake
such n mediation. While there is no
dispute with the Ambassador as to the
note being open to this construction. the
point is made In reply that the United
States IL not seeking an authorization
from Germany to get from England
something that Germany wants. but "A
satisfactory response by Germans 10 the
demands made In the submarine cases
involving American rights.
In view OF the close accord between
the views of officials and those OF the
President through the previous stages
of the submarine controversy there
seems TO be good reason to believe that
the President will decline to undertake
the mission which Germany woul as
sign to him.
Attention Is called to the fact that
the Presidents note of June . clearly
Indicated that the United States. having
been made an interested party to Ger
many's submarine operations. was no
longer willing to make joint proposals
to Germany and England at the behest
of Germany.
In that note the President specifically
stated that he would gladly transmit to
Great Britain anything Germany might
wish TO say to that Government. and IL
has been thoroughly understood here
mat that was as far as he was willing
to 20.
Germany IN response to this offer did
not submit any proposal to be trans
mltted to England, but merely renewed
It's assurances that 1t would welcome
any efforts the President would make
toward Inducing Great Britain either to
restore the Observance of existing law
or even toward the establishment OF
new law for the freedom Of the seas"
From this it was concluded that Ger
many really had nothing to say TO Great
Britain. but merely looked to the United
States to effect some sort of a new ar
rangement.
The idea prevails in many quarters
that the German proposals are presented
partly at least with "a view to making
England bear the mus Of present condi-
lions on the high seas. Many officials
believe that Germany Is not really so
DESTROYS OF having her ports opened to
trade as she is to shut of the American
supply OF munitions of war now .coing
TO the Allies.
II is suggested that the more blame
heaped upon England for conditions on
tne seas the more cHdnce tHeTe Will W
of the United states shutting OF the
expectation OF war munitions to Eng
and in retaliation.
The Ambassador himself has fire.
Quently made 1t clear that the German
public has reached the conclusion that
the United States Is favordng england
particularly In this respect, and that
only a change OF attitude by this Govern
ment would make the Germa.. peopl
willing to grant concessions on the sub
marine programme.
In the German talk about the freedom
OF the seas some officials see a good
deal Of incongruity. II is pointed out
thai the treaty OF 1875 between the
United States and Prussia was negotiated
for the purpose of getting a larger meas
ure OF freedom for neutral in
time OF war. vet Germany has nov at
tempted. In the Frye case, to maintain
that this treaty gives her the right to
sink American vessels carryinS contra
bard of war.
Furthermore. attention Is called to the
fact that while Germany is talking about
the freedom of the seas, there is not a
single German. merchant flag ahoat on
the highways of commerce, and tnat
history never has shown that maritime
law was shaped by the countries having
no vessels on the seas.
The Ambassador made no request or
an appointment with the President. IL
Is doubted here whether he VIII see the
President before the next note TO GER
ma nv is written.