Arizona republican., 1915-07-09
Not to Discuss Note


 WASHINGTON, July S.-The United States will not engage informally in discussions and negotiations with Ger many regarding the character of the forthcoming reply to the last Ameri- can note on submarine warfare. Am bassador Gerard has been informed that such is the presidents decision and that the ambassador shall make no comment on the tentative draft given him by the German foreign of- flee. If an expression is asked, he is 10 say the United States will await the formal reply before further dis cussing the question. The outline of the German note cabled by Gerard is known to be unsatisfactory.
 No admission of liability is made with respect to the sinking of the Lusitania. Whether in extenuation or not the view is expressed in the draft that when torpedoed il was not be- lieved the Lusitania would sink. As for the future citizens of the United States will be permitted to travel with safety of the seas 2 the passengers are Americans on belligerent ships not carrying munitions. The United States will be required to inform the German government of the date of de-
 
 carrying Americans and guarantee that the ships had no munitions of war aboard. In this connection high officials stated it would be an un- neutral act for the United States to notify any belligerent government of the date of departur9 from an Ameri- can port or the character of the cargo of a merchantmen of another bel ligerent.
 Count Von BernstOrff, German am hassador. in a communication by wire less with his government today is said 10 have advised the Berlin foreign of flee that the form of proposals do not appear acceptable to the United States. It is learned that the posi- tion of the Washington government is that there first be recognition by Ger many of the principle that an unaTm- ed. unresisting merchantmen must be visited and searched and the passen- gers and crew removed safely before tlfe ship is destroyed. Until an agree ment on this subject is reached. the United States cannot discuss the modus vivendi of temporary arrange ments.
 The proposals made by Germany that belligerent passenger vessels which do not carry munitions of war will be immune from attack provided they heed warnings of submarines and submit to visit and search will not be regarded as objectionable, providing Great Britain and Germany enter into such an agreement.
 The American government, it is be- lieved. will be willing to assist in making arrangements for the safe car riage of Americans aboard belligerent passenger vessels which do not carry munitions of war if an arrangement is first made between the belligerents.
 Such a method described in diplo- matic usage as modus vivendi would not involve the surrender of rights for the future but would be applica ble during fixed period.
 The suggestion is contained in the German note as now drafted that a system of inspection be begun where by American officials and German consular officers would certify to the character of vessels carrying depart ing Americans. This, 1t is asserted, would be unneutrai act. The United States had no official connec- ton with the certification of British consuls of the cargoes of goods con- signed to neutral countries. These arrangements merely had been enter ed into by American ship-owners to protect their vessels from detentions and delays. It is considered improb- able that owners of British vessels will agree to any inspection by Ger man officials or recognized the right of American officers to do other than insure against the violation of the rules of neutrality.
 As a whole the German proposals are not regarded as bringing the ques- tions at issue between the United States and Germany nearer a settle ment than they were several weeks ago. The president is expected to re- turn on Monday or Tuesday and the | formal German reply probably will | reach here about the same time