Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-16
.PAVES WAY FOR US.
TO ACT AS MEDIATOR
Won Bernstorff's View of Recent
German Reply to Ameri-
can Note.
WILL MEET LANSING TO-DAY
Negotiations on Entire Question
of Maritime Warfare With
Belligerents May Result.

WASHINGTON. July 15-Count Won
Bernstorff. the German amba ssador.
will present to Secretary Lansing to-
morrow the view that Germany's reply
TO the American note OH submarine
warfare was intended TO pave the way
for negotiations by the United States
with Great Britain as well as Germany
to adjust questions that have arisen
over contraband and submarines as af-
fccting the right OF ncutrals
The German ambassador for several
days has been anxious to see Secretary
Lansing. but the secretary expressed
preference not to discuss the Ger
man reply until he had examined il
carefully. To-day Mr.. Lansing met the
ambassador casually at club. and set
Tomorrow for the conference
Count Won Bcrnstorff is confident his
government emphasized in the last note
its Willingness to work hand in hand"
with the American government for the
establishment of the freedom OF the
seas principle. with the express pur-
pose Of entering into negotiations now
on the entire question OF maritime
warfare. He sent through DR.. Anton
Meyer-Gerhard the suggestion that
the note should contain such an inti-
nation. Having followed his sugges-
tions, the ambassador Is certain his
government will accept n tender OF
good Offices for the mediation Of the
dispute. This would involve an ac-
ceptance by Great Britain of the SER
vices of the United States as mediator
to bring about termination OF tho Brit
ish repr!sal-thc order in council-as
we'll as German submarine attacks on
merchantmen.
PRACTICE PROBABLY
WILL BE CONTINUED
Officials of tho American government
in the last few days have heard re-
ports concerning possible mediation of
the question. but always have indicated
that negotiations along such lines could
be begun only II there were assur-
ances that German submarine COM
manders. In the meantime, would be
guided by the principle for which the
United States Is contending-thet
Americans on unarmed ships which do
not resist capture be not endangered.
In official German quarters here, how
ever, emphasis is placed on the fact
that Germany in tho last month has not
torpcdoed even enemy ships without
warning, and that this practice prob
ably Will be continued. In support of
this confere nee. German officials drew
attention to-day TO statement given
out by the Overseas News Agency, an
official agency, in Berlin yesterday.
which said:
The loss of human life was remark
ably small, the submarines using every
precautIon and giving ample warning
and time for crews TO leave their ships
IL no resistance was attempted
Officials here who read the state
ment admitted that II this policy was
continued. the principles for which the
United States asked assurances in it's
note OF June would be complied with
to large extent.
While temporary abandonment Of
the practice of attacking either Ameri-
can or belligerent vessels without
warning has considerably lesaened ten
sion In Washington, the treatment the
American government will give to the
Lusitania case in its next note Is caus-
ing much concern, even in German
quarters. 1t is not believed the Ger
man ambassador VIII discuss that phase
with Secretary Lansing tomorrow but
he Is said to believe his government
would not oppose further negotiations
over the sinking of the Lusitaria