Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-09
Will Not Engage in Infor-
NAL Discussions With
Berlin.
OUTLINE FROM GERARD
FAR FROM SATISFACTORY
No Admission of Liability With
Respect to Sinking of
Lusitania. =
Many Evidences in Official Circles Of
PeSsimism Over Con-
troversy.

WASHINGTON, July 8.-The United
States will not engage informally in
any discussion or negotiation with
Germany regarding the character OF
American note on submarine warfare.
Ambassador Gerard, at Berlin. has
been informed that such is the Presi-
dents decision, and that the ambas-
sador is to make no comment on the
tentative draft given him by the Ger
man Foreign Office. If asked for an
expression. he Is to say that the United
States will await formal reply be-
fore discussing the question further.
The outline of the German note, as
cabled by Ambassador Gerard, is known
to be far from satisfactory to officials
With respect to the sinking of the
Lusitania, which more than 100
Americans perished. no admission of
liability is made. Whether in extenua-
ton or not. the view Is expressed in
the draft that when torpedoed 1t was
not believed the Lusitania would sink
as rapidly as she did. AS for the
future. citizens OF the United States
would be permitted to travel with
safety on tho high seas IL passengers
on American ships. or on belligerent
ships not carrying munitions of war
The United States would be required to
inform the German government tf the
date Of departure and character of
vessels carrying Americans. and guar
antee that such ships had no munitions
of war aboard.
WOULD BE UNNEUTRAL
ACT FOR UNITED STATES
In this connection. high officials here
stated to-day that 1t would be an
unneutral act for the United States to
notify-any beliigerent government of
the date of departure from an Ameri-
can port or the character Of the cargo
OF merchantmen of another bellIg-
erent
Count Won Bernstorfr. the German
ambassador. was in communication by
wireless with his government during
the day, and is understood to have ad-
vised the Berlin Foreign Office that the
form in which the proposals had been
made did not appear to be acceptable
to the United States. He learned that
the position of the Washington gov
ernment Is that there must first be a
recognition by Germany Of the prin-
ciple that an unarmed and unresisting
merchantman must be visited and
searched. and passengers and crew re-
moved to a place of safety before the
ship Is destroyed. Until there is an
agreement on this principle, the Ameri-
can government cannot discuss any
modus vivendi or temporary arrange.
ments. 1t is declared.
Inc German ambassador, 1t is be-
lieved is urging his government to
make broad statement on the prin
ciples involved. and reserve for later
discussion arranreneote
the separation OF passenger and con
traband traffic.
PROPOSAL NOT REGARDED
OF ITSELF oBJECTIONARI,E
The proposal made by Germany that
belligerent passenger vessels which do
not carry munitions OF war shall ba
immune from attack. provided thev
heed warnings of submarines and sub
NIT to visit and search, is not regarded
as OF itself Objectionable, providing
Great Britain and Germany were to
enter into such an agreement The
American government, it Is understood.
would be willing to assist in making
arrangements for the safe carriage OF
Americans aboard belligerent passenger
vessels, which do not carry munitions
OF war. IL the arrangements were first
made between the belligerents. Such
method. described in diplomatic
usage as a modus vivendi. would not
involve any surrender OF rights for the
future. and would be applicable only
during fixed period
For the United States Of its own
initiative to make concessions, it is
held. would imperil the entire fabric of
American rights with otLer bellie-
erents.
The suggestion Is contained in the
German note as now drafted that a sys-
tenn OF inspection be begun whereby
American officials and German consular
officers would certify to the character
or the vessels carrying departing Amer
leans This. it is asserted. would also
be an unneutral act. The United
States has had no official connection
with the certification by British con-
suls OF cnrgoes of goods consigned to
neutral countries
QUESTIONS AT ISSUE
NO NEARER SETTLEMENT
AS whole. the German proposals
are not regarded by well-informed of
fcials as bringing the questions at
issue between the United States and
Germany any nearer a settlement than
they were several weeks ago. Presi-
dent Wilson is expected to return here
Monday or Tuesday. and the formal
German reply probably will reach here
at about the same time.
There were many evidences In off,
cial circles to-day that the German
controversy was again regarded as
critical. and that the reply. rs outlined,
was very disappointing. The conces-
sions alleged to have been made were
referred to as a slight departure from
the illegal position held by Germany.
and 1t was pointed out that the United