The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-15

To the Ambassador for counsel or as
sistance In the present situation.
II liz known here that the Ambassador
wishes to emphasize certain points In
MS overnmen note. particularly In
reference to the phrase freedom of the
seas and also regarding the suggestion
That the United States end the sub
marine warfare by serving as mediator
between Germany and Great Britain.
"FreedOm Of the seas"
The Ambassador feels that a great
opportunity lies before this Government
In h present situation that II It will
take the initiative In securing pledges
from Great Britain and Germany for
the freedom OF the seas 1t may bring
about the end OF the war.
IL develops. however, that the phrase
freedom OF the seas" IL not defined
IN the same way at the German EN-
bassy and at the State Department. The
American Government feels that Ger
many has violated the freedom OF the
seas In killing non-combatants and neu-
trails and In attacking neutral vessels
on the highways OF commerce. 1t is
indeed. pressing Germany to respec, the
freedom Of the seas in this particular.
The German proposal. on the other
hand. is that the slate he wiped clean
by instituting a freedom of the seas
which shall make all alb
solutely free in time of war as we'll as
in peace.
The impression prevails here thai the
Administration will refuse to yield its
claims on the submarine issue with
Germany for the sake of trying to in.
stitute ar ideal condition.
IL is pointed out. too. that whereas
the President invited Germany to use
the United States as a medium of com
munication with Great Britain It's note
contained nothing for the United States
to transmit to Great Britain and 1t Is
assumed here, therefore,, that Germany
has nothing to say to Great Britain
That the United States will not nj this
1uncture attempt to neg, .iate with Grea,
Britain on behalf of Germany was made
clear in the note of June 3.
Reports from Berlin that the un.
favorable reception Of the German note
in this country Is not understood there
caused little concern in Washington to.
day. IL wa pointed out that Ambas
sador Bernstorff has been able to max.
lengthy reports to his Government II
the two months that the submarin,
issue has been up that he sent DIR
Meyer Gerhard to Berlin to explain tn.
American attitude: that DIR. Dernburg
the German spokesman In this ountry
has also returned to recent,
and that there IL no reason why tn,
attitude of Americans should not b.
thoroughly known to Berlin by this time
One Cause for Optimism.
1t was declared that IL the German
public or press rejects as untrue ex
cerpts from American newspaper com
ments on the ground that the English
have tempered with them that liz no,
the fault of the United States. The
feeling here Is that he Berlin Govern.
ment has had every opportunity t. az.
certain the state Of public opinion II
this country and that If 1t has mis-
interpreted it that is its own concern.
1t has developed here. however. tina
nearly every discussion of the situation
with Germany terminates with the con,
clusion that anyhow German practice /,
not as bad as German declarations OF
paper.
The only real cause for optimism
which is found in the situation as /
stands now is the fact that German
submarines seem to be operating will
less disregard for the safety Of Ameri
cans. 1t is generally believed here tina
II he abstain from another at
tack on American life there will be u,
cause for serious anxiety about tn,
situation.
Semi-offcial bulletins In Berlin point
ing to the relatively small loss of III
resulting from the submarine operation
OF the last month are pointed to "A
evidence that the Germans themselye
are trying to make their torpedo attack
less destructive Of the lives OF non-com
batants and neutrals.