Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-09

washington, July 6.-The Un1IeQ States government will not engage in- formally in any discussion or nego- tiation with Germany regarding the character of the forthcoming reply to the last American note on subma- xine warfare.
 Ambassador Gerard at Berlin has been informed that such is the presi- dents decision and that the ambassa- dor 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 tine United States will await formal re- ply before discussing the question further.
 Thought Lusitania Would Stay Afioat
 Longer.
 The outline of the German note as cabled by Amba ssador Gerard is known to be far from satisfactory to officials. With respect to the sinking of the Lusitania on which more than 100 Americans perished, no admission of liability is made. Whether in ex- tenuation or not the view is express ed In the draft that when torpedoed it was not believed the Lusitania would sink as rapidly as she did.
 Germany Suggests Neutral Act.
 As for the future, citizens of the United States would be permitted to travel with safety on the high seas if passengers on American ships or cn belligerent ships not carrying mu- nitions of war. The United States would be required to inform the German government of the date of de- parture and character of vessels car rying Americans nd guarantee that shuch ships had no munitions of war aboard. In this connection high of ficfals here stated today that itFwould be a unneutraI act for the United States to notify any belligerent gov- ernment of the date of departure from an American port or the character of the cargo of merchantmen of anoth- CT bel1igerent.
 Won 5ernstoff Advises His Govern
 nent
 Count Won Bernstorff, the German ambasador, was in communication by wireless with his government during the day and is understood to have ad- vised the Berlin foreign office that the made did not appear to be acceptable to the United States. He learned that the position of the Washington government is that there must first be recognition by Germany of the principle that an unarned and unre- sisting merchantman must be visited and searched and passengers and crew removed to a place of safety, before the ship is destroyed. Until there is an agreement on this principle, the American government cannot discuss any modus vivendi or temporary ar arrangements, it is declared. The Ger man ambassador, 1t is believed, is urg- ing his government to make a broad statement on the principles involved and reserve for later discussion ar- engagements concerning the separation of passengers and contraband traf- fic.
 No Objection to This Principle.
 The proposals made by Germany that belligerent passenger vessels which do not carry munitions of war shall be immune fSom attack provided they heed warnings of submarines and submit to visit and search is not re- garded as of itself objectionable, pro- viding Great Britain and Germany were to enter into such an agreement. The American government, it is un- derstood, would be willing to assist in making arrangements for the safe oeeFiage of Americans aboard bellig- erent passenger vessels which do not carry munitions of war if the ar- engagement were first made between the belligerents.
 Such method described in diplo- matic usage as a modus yivendi would not involve any surrender of rights for the future and would be applicable only during a nxed period.
 Would ImperiI American Rights.
 For the United States of its own in- itiative to make concessions, it is held, would imperil the entire fabric of American rights with other belligerS ents.
 As a whole, the German proposals are not regarded by well informed off, cials as bringing the questions at issue between the United States and Ger many any nearer settlement than they were several weeks ago. Presi- dent Wilson is expected to return here Monday or Tuesday and the formal German reply will probably reach here at about the same time.
 Situation Still Critical.
 There were many evidences in of ficial circles today that the German controversy was again regarded as critical and that the reply as out lined was very disappointing. The concessions alleged to have been made from the illegal position held by Ger many, and it was pointed out that the United States. holding 8 strictly legal position, is unable to make any changes or surrender any point.
 Evades Liability For the Lusitania.
 Irrespective, however, as to the sug- gestions as to the future conduct of German submarines as suggested in the preliminary draft Of the German reply, one of the chief causes Of the pessimism is the treatment to be ac- corded the Lusitania. trAgedy. Orig inaily the United States pointed out that the German submarine command CTS must have misapprehended their instructions and could not have in- tended to sink the vessel without warning. The last German note in re- ply contended that the vessel was armed, was an auxiliary cruiser and therefore could not be treated as a peaceful merchantmen. After the United States submitted offlcial in- formation that the Lusitania nSt only was unarmed. but did not attempt to