New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-11

accepted rules Of international law. and
he has declared Enthusiastically that he
will hold Germany TO strict account
ability for the loss Of American lives
and property. He has added that the
United States will omit no word or
act TO protect the rights of its c'u-
zens.
The German government has ignored
all of these demands. II has brushed
aside the Presidents pleas IN the IN
terest Of humanity and justice, and has
calmly told the United States that II
intends TO conduct its submarine war
fare to suit itself. and will agree 70
protect American lives and property
only under conditions which TINS Cou"-
try is unable 70 accept ,...-
IL is held here that the conditions
laid down by the German government
constitute an abridgement OF the very
rights for which the United States has
been contending. Germany calls them
concessions" but they are not regard
ed as such. They are looked on as an
impudent announcement that Germany
intends still further to shatter the
rules of international law.
Guarantees Already offered.
II was recalled tonight that Ger
many had already offered guarantees
10 American ships engaged IN non-con-
traband traffic in previous notes. SO
far as the proposal to protect the lives
of American passengers travelling on
belligerent ships was concerned. II was
pointed out that the United States al
ready had taken a stand against the
imposition of any such condition.
IL would be an unneutral act Tor TINS
government 70 mark or designate IN
any way certain ships as coming uhder
the German guarantee, for TINS woui1
no construed as a declaration that all
ships not so marked could be torpedoed
with impunity. so far as any action by
the United States was concerned. TINS
might easily result in situation par
allel 10 that caused by the use OF the
American flag by British ships, which
Germany gave as an excuse Tor torpe-
doing all vessels in the war zone
There would be nothing TO prevent
belligerent vessel from being similarly
marked or designated to avoid subma-
rines.
The offer of the German government
TO permit Americans 70 travel unmo-
Tested on certain ships will be de-
nounced by this government, without
doubt, and Germany's attention VIII be
called 10 the fact that in his previous
note President Wilson asserted the
right Of Americans to travel on lawful
errands on peaceful ships OF any ma,
tionality, whether or not they carried
cOntraband.
Official opinion on the question Of
notifying Germany of the departure OF
vessels carrying Americans has already
been made public on many occasions.
IL is the strong contention of govern
mont officials that such action would
be not only unneutral, but would place
responsibility on this government
which it could not assume.
Lusitania Attitude Irritating.
One of the things in the German note
which served to cause much irritation
was the way in which the Foreign VI.
fee sought TO justify the torpedolng oil
the Lusitania, with loss OF more IMAM
100 American lives. 49,,
In his first note President wilson
asked the German government to dis
avow the act on the ground that so en-
lightened a government could not give
It's approval TO the ruthless slaughter
of women and children. In its answer
TO this note Germany sought TO JUSTIFY
the disaster because the Lusltania was
an armed vessel, but this was promptly
upset by proof that the vessel was an
unarmed merchantmen.
MANY in its most recent note has
not sought to convey by intlmauon
that the Lusitania was an armed yes
sci. but. regardless of that, II has
calmly justified the sinking OF the
steamship.
In some quarters to-day there was
talk that President Wilson might re-
call Ambassador Gerard as marx OF
.disapproval of the course followed by
H..
supporters of this idea
There was also some discussion OF
the probability that President wilson
would call Congress in special session
and ask for an appropriation OF S5OO'-
100000 to prepare the army and navy
While many officials agreed that such
step would have an important elect
on Germany, II was the general OPINION
that the situation was not such as TO
cause the President to give serious
consideration to an extra session now
Mr.. Wilson's action on the latest
German note is awaited with great IN
terest. After the firm warning TO Ger
many in his previous notes, 1t is be-
lieved he has no alternative but to SIT
tight, and await Germany's course.
Formal Rejection First.
BEFORE any definite steps are taken
officials familiar with diplomatic prece-
dent and international usage say, the
American government probably would
send a note 10 Germany formally re-
jecting the proposal to permit the un-
restricted use of American passenger
ships or four hostile merchantmen un-
der the American flag, provided they
carry no munitions of war. In the
same note formal notification probably
would be given of the intention OF the
United States TO continue to exercise
its rights with the expectation that
they would be respected.
Since the negotiations began, two
months ago, IL was pointed out, the
United States virtually has been using
the high seas in accordance with rs
views on international law, and there
. have been no belligerent ships carry
IN ing Americans torpedoed without warn
~ ing. Since German submarine com
~ handlers have made their practice
square with international law TO tins
extent officials do not believe the re
fusal Of the German government to give
explicit assurances will be followed by
any overt acts involving further los
of American lives.
The controlling factor in the sltua
ton, according to indications ia ON
cial quarters, is the attitude inc
United States should take as result
Of the Lusitania tragedy itself 1t Is
that which is giving officials mos
concern-the shaping of q course that
will maintain the dignity OF me
United States and Give promise OF or
NN..u.r fsfri