Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-04
MAY CLEAR THE
ATMOSPHERE.

Statements, which some are inclin-
ed to believe, as to what transplred
between the President and the Ger
man Ambassador, indicate the plan
proposed by the latter for satisfying
the American demands without inn
pairing the prestige of Germany in
the matter of it's policy of submarine
warfare. would be satisfactory to this
country. The plan comprehends the
abatement by Germany OF submarine
attacks upon ships known to be car
rying citizens of the United States,
providing this government shall sug-
gest to it's citizens that when taking
passage to Europe they travel upon
ships known not to carry contraband
Of war; the Imperial government to
engage not to attack merchant yes
sells unless such are known positively
to be carrying contraband. The plan
contemplates the issuance of pro-
clamation by the President stating
that belligerent ships must not ac-
ccpt Americans as passengers. In
case the United States so agrees, the
German ambassador proposes that
Germany shall quietly stop using sub
marines against all merchant ship
ping, belligerent or otherwise, travel
ing the high seas with passengers,
whether carrying contraband or not,
without full opportunity for the nom
combatants to take to boats and
RATS.
This plan appears to mark out Il
way for Germany to come to the
American position with the satlsfac-
ton of the United States making
some formal concession to the Ger
man contention, even though after
making this formal concession Ger
MANY will not take advantage OF Ii
but desist from submarine warfare
upon noncombatants IN all cases
President Wilson is represented as
having said that as consideration
for the United States to 90 into any
details the German government must
first assent to the proposition of the
safety of the seas. He thus places
the ends of humanity above the m
tercsts of the two nations IN the al
iustment of the questions IN dispute
1t is suggested that the transmiS-
sim of the Bernstorff proposals ana
of the positive stand of the head oil
the nation as to the salient feature
of II demands. to the Berlin govern
mcnt through the State Department
code will insure the rapid reception
IF the message without its contents
coming TO the knowledge Of the Eng
1isb in transmission Thus, too, the
Rerlin government will be made &C
or.;nted with the actual sentiment OF
tho American people and the liXlty
of their position in the matter OF I'M
nortant notifications of the sub
marine procedure.
It is important to observe tue
significant fact that the key OF the
diplomatic situation is now with inc
limited States. Germany has hau Us
onnortunity to act rashly and ha,
not done so. 1T has had its opportuh'
;tv of showing its contempt for Amer
-. and it's menace and it has mol
done so. Germany has shown uroi
tho other hand evidence OF re"
n,rnose to keep the peace ana 10 ar
- Of an Observation-Disclosures
&c ,,ncars in the German note IN
American people are willing to creu'
failure to appreciate the 1uil iorce ="
their sentiment to the difficulties d"
yanced by the German ambassaoo
and now that this sentiment IS Dem
made definitely known, it Is oelieSe
the next note of the head OF the nj
ton will result in satisfactory dlsPp
sition of the prime demand OF human
ity in submarine warfare.
WAR THEN