The Washington times., 1915-07-17
'ORDUNA FIRED UPON
BY A SUBMARINE
Six Shells Sent Against Cunard-
sr Without Warning Near
Liverpool.
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lost But il does not bear out the
idea that Germany intends to carry
on her submarine warfare In the man
ner insisted on by this Governmes'..
Officials here today were plainly sur
prised at the reports CONCERNING the
Orduna. One question raised is wheth-
er the German government since then
has given fresh instructions to sub
marine commanders TO be careful not
to take American life unwarned The
attack on the Orduna Is reported to
have occurred about ten days ago.
The conference between Mr.. Lans.
ing and Ambassador Won Bernstorf
has not cleared all matters up. There
are indications that the German am
bassador Is engaged in astute diplo-
matte strategy.
The ambassadors visit to the State
pressed to Mr.. Lansing his personal
Views of what he thought about the
situa ton. He urged mediation between
Germany and Great Britain by this
over neutral rights at sea. He voiced
1t as his opinion that American life
and property at sea would be treated
by his government in accord with in
ternational law.
The am ba ssador, 1t is said. hoped to
have the State Department and the
Administration accept this informal
expression of his personal opinion as
amounting to an assurance from his
government and proceed accordingly,
at once taking steps toward media
ton and refraining from pressing Ger
many for formal assurances as to
treatment of Americans at sea.
II the German government authorizes
the conduct Of submarine warfare. this
Government. it is declared will gladly
accept them orally, il Berlin prefers
not to send them in n formal note
OPTICIANS here hope that authorized
assurances will be given.
1t is stated something much broader
than the German conduct of submarine
warfare Is at stake. This nation, 1t is
asserted, cannot stop short of continued
insistence that the right Of visit and
search must be respected. and passen-
gers and crews on merchant ships be
allowed chance to save their lives.
A prominent Senator in letter writ
ten here declares that II this country
waived it's rights in this respect so far
as German submarines were concerned.
then it might prepare to have its rights
at sea still further disregarded by Eng.
land and he allies.
In this matter of how it's people at
sea shall be treated. America has to
look not merely to the present German
submarine situation. but to the future.
President Wilson will lbe here next
week and Will discuss the new note with
the Cabinet Tuesday. Thus far. there
Is no reason to believe there will be any
backing down from the purpose to con-
tine to assert American rights at sea.
Neither as to the general question nor
as to the Lusitania case will this Gov
eminent soften its demands because Of
the German proposal of mediation with
Great Britain. This Government is per-
fectly willing to mediate IL 1t thinks
any good can be done, but not to allow
mediation to be made a CONDITION prcce-
dent to observance OF the rights OF
American life on the high seas.
Further bearing on the matter OF
disclosure that Ambassador Spring Rice
in the last day or SO has advised his
government to make some concessions
to this country respecting the seizure OF
American ships and cargoes and block
ade OF neutral ports. 1t Is said this if
being adopted by the German ambas-
sador toward this country.
May Warn England.
Furthermore. itsis supposed to have
been done by the British ambassador In
the belief this Government, when 1t gets
the German controversy In some meas
ure smoother over. will send a sharp
note to England on the subject of neu-
trail rights
1t is deemed possible here that in an
administrative way the British govern
ment will observe to some extent the
advice Of the ambassador. But it is not
seriously expected that Great Britain is
going actually to call off her blockade
or rescind the order-in-council.
With respect to shipment of war mu-
nitions. this Government will not permit
the Austrian protest to change its atti-
tude. and Austria will be SO informed
in q note.