Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-17
S.CApITAL SEES
ARBITRATION END
SUBSEA QUARREL
American Government Believed
Willing to Accept Reported
Plan of Berlin if Attacks
Suspended.
HrNTED THIS SUITS GERMANY
Proposal Discussed to Deny Papers
to Munitions Ships Carrying
Passengers,
HARD TO CONSTITUTE A COURT

WASHINGTON. May 16.-word
that Ambassador Gerard had reads
and presented to Herr Won Jagow.
minister OF foreign affairs for the
imperial German government, the
American note sent Thursday as
consequence OF the Lusitania trag-
edy and other occurrences in the
war zone, removed all anxiety here
over the delay in transmission and
awakened intense interest in the ma
ture OF Germany's reply.
In view OF telegraphic and cable
delays and the probable necessity for
conferences between the foreign
minister and the imperial chancellor,
Won -Iioilweg, and doubt
less Emperor William himself, it
would not be considered surprising
here II the response did not arrive
for another eight days.
May Report Barlicr.
II was believed possible. however, that
Ambassador Gerard might report earlier
on the manner in which the American
note was received by the government
and the semi-ofticial press.
In the interim confidenco prevails
among high officials and is shared in
German official quarters that there will
be no submarine attacks on passenger
vessels while the questions at issue are
being solved.
The intimation which came in press
dispatches today indirectly from Berlin
to the effect that Germany would will
lngly submit the questions raised BY the
American note TO arbitration was re-
ceived with much interest. and Il was
indicated that II there was a suspension
OF submarine warfare on merchant ships
while the discussion was in progress
the plan might be given serious con-
sideration by the American government.
some Held it Impvacticsbie.
Arbitration also has been talked o.
here before todpy's press dlapatches arr
rived. Some German officlaih HAD inti-
mated that. although withaut advldes
from Berlin they were confident from
previous knowledge OF the desire OF the
German government to remain friendly
with the United states. that arbitration
would be welcomed. The difficulty OF
constituting court Of arbitration at this
time, when most OF the great powers
whose participation might be desired are
At war. was pointed cut by some dinIo-
rnatists. however. as making the plan
impracticable.
That some way would be found 10
reach an anicable settlement between the
United States and Germany was the
growing conviction Of rnaIly officials and
diplomats today. A variety OF sugses-
| tions were heard.
One which was given serious thought
was proposal to refuse clearances to
belligerent- ships carrying munitions OF
war or absolute contraband II they also
carried passengers. This would involve
no embargo, but separation OF passen-
ger and contraband traffic.
stands ON Legal Rfsht.
The United States stands firmly ON the
legal right OF its citizens TO travel on
any ships and believes its position "a in
disputable. Germany. however. holds
that this has become a debatabie oues-
tion on account of changed conditions. ana
IL the two classes of ocean going traffic
were separated submarines would direct
their attention to eontraband ships alone
The objection 10 this. however. in the
opinion OF some officials is that the plan
still would not provide for the humane
treatment which International law pre-
scribss for the crew of q vessel carrying
eontraband and making no resistance 10
visit and search or any attempt TO run a
blockade. To torpedo without warning or
even TO give time for the crew of a YES
sel carrying contraband TO get into small
boats II was pointed out. would leave
Continued on PAGE Two. Column SKI