The Washington times., 1915-05-17
civilised warfare. A., submrine. attacks
on hnarmed merchantmen.
Expect Counter Proposal.

The fact that President Wilson did
not content himself with demand ng a
cessation of submarine attacks against
vessels flying the American flag or
carrying American citizens. but took the
broad ground that they should cease
against merchant vessels Of neutral or
belligerent character, has opened the
way, II Is suggested, for Germany to
make the counter-propostion without
fear of it's being rejected on the ground
that England's reprisals against Ger.
many are no concern of the United
States.
One thing President Wilson has reason
to feel sure Of Is that the German
Americans who are seeking. through
letters to the German embassy and In
settlement Of the grave crisis, Will be
behind him In case the unlooked-for
break should come
Messages of Support.
At the White House today there was
q tightly packed bundle of kilograms
and letters. three feet long. approving
what the President has done. and
pledging the support of the writer's.
Many Of these have comee from Ger
man-Americans. One. received today,
was from the German Catholic Union,
Of Baltimore, with membership or
5000. 1t was in the form Of resolu-
ton adopted yesterday. and read as
follows:
While proud of our German ances-
try, we know only one flag, the nag
of our country, and we tender to
you, the standard bearer, our un-
We have every confidence in your
cool Judgment. honest purpose. ana
brave manhood. and are CONVINCED
You is the prayer @ Of the German
Catholic Union of Baltimore.
Naval Maneuvers.
Although the spirit of officialdom
generally is hopeful that a peaceful
way will be found out Of the present
International crisis, 1t is understood that
both in the Navy and War Departments
the possibility that another result 10
possible is not being overlooked: Ad.
the navy, left here for New York to-
day. He said that he will be back to-
morrow. 1t Is understood that he Will
have a talk with Admiral Fletcher re-
.garding the maneuvers that are to be-
gin tomorrow.
The fleet. en- steaming outside of the
Ambrose channel lightship will com,
mence a sesdes of maneuvers intended
would be safe in the event Of attack by
keep the fleet together in this move
ment and 1t will also be possible for
the time that the German reply is being
received and considered here. That
would be decided advantage to any
nation at the present time officials ad-
NIT.
The ordnance departments Of both
branches of the service have reported
the exact condition OF the army and
navy so far as munitions are concerned.
fr-t-
icseate. but with all the ammunition
factories in the country running full
blast II the Government needs NUM-
tions they could be promptly COM
mandeered
Bearing of Italian Crisis.
Dispatches from Rome this morning
saying Italian troops and Austrians
have clashcd were read here today
with avidity.
The many signs that the cloud OF
war will soon break in earnest on the
frontiers of italy and Austria are
looked upon as having a most intimate
bearing on the relations between
Washington and Berlin.
Feeling here, as the week opens.
with Italy threatening more than
ever to range herself with the allies.
Is that the Kaiser and his advisers
will not rush rashly and defiantly
May Still Use Submarines.
Closely read. of course, President Will
sons note, though expressing objec-
tions to use of submarines against
merchant ships. does not actually de-
mand that use Of submarines cease.
using 1esd whes fassest would Gay
mean the sinking of nohcombatant
merchant ships without warning and
without a chance for the lives OF crews
a sTnment e'eReIdi %eaId consdesr %dssos Il. 'n'S Gov
The view continues to be widely held
here that Germany may propose either
arbitration Of that part Of the con-
troversy relating to methods Of use Of
examination and report under the Bryan
peace treaty plan.
Opinions differ widely here as to
what the United States Government
Gena tien. 90 ABOUT any 'nea's Oh Af'''fA'
Such a proposal would inevitably stir
up tho old question which has been de-
bated many times In the Senate. That
viii the Government arbitrats q
question Of vital interest or national
honor7 VIII the Government arbitrate
2 question involving Just and humane
treatment Of non-combatants, includ-
ing women and babies?'
Might Be Repudiated.
Time and again, Senators have given
warning that II the country ever at.
tempted to arbltrate a question Of ma.
tional honor or vital interest the poo.
ple would repudiate 1t.
1t Is true that there Is no actua
treaty with Germany that would require
the Government to arbitrate a question
Of vital interest or national honor bu,
the fact Ia that the Bryan peace treatie.
win oher countries. the principle Of
which Germany has accepted, apply t
all controversies of whatever nature.
Many difficulties are In the way o
any satisfactory arbitration or investi
CATION through international commission
One is that this country could not ente
on such a course unless Germany sus
pended her submarine warfare on mer
chant ships, or modified 1t greatly. ant
the unsolved question is whether. Fl
the crisis of the European war. Ger
many would do so.
In the last analysis. Berlin will weig
this propositions:
"Have we more to lose by Abandoning
our submarine policy than by addin
America to the list of our enemies?"
looks as II the view taken Of thi
question by the Kaiser and his adviser
would determine peace Of war wit
America. They may view the questio
from the short-sghted standpoint o
Immediate military advantage. Or the
may view it from the higher and broad