The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-11
PARLEYS WITH OPPOSITION IN CAPITA

been given warning the submarine might
nave been destroyed.
II was regarded also az a distinctly
unfriendly implication that the Lusl-
tania was armed. despite President Will
sons assurances TO the contrary In the
note OF June . and his invitation to
Germany to present any evidence she
had on this phase of the controversy
The German statements regarding the
freedom OF the seas. humanity and the
course of Great Britain are dismissed
by officials here as merely German prop
uganda, embodied in the note because
1t seemed TO afford "a favorable OPP
portuni,y to place Germany's case be-
fore the world.
In regard to the specific proposals
made by Germany, II is held here that
they reveal the German position to be
one Of granting even less than was
understood to he the case before the
correspondence over the Lusitania be-
gan.
According to the note, Germany claims
the right to torpedo American vessels
carrying contrabands She asks as a
condition of immunity for Americans
on American vessels and other vessels.
which she suggests may ne placed under
the American flag. that the United States
shall guarantee that these vessels shall
not carry any ~contraband.
The fundamental position OF the
United States In relation to all issues
with Germany is that Americans have
q right to send contraband to Europe.
This Germany has admitted in other
connections. II is felt here that this
Government cannot even consnt To dis
cuss this new proposal. lest 1t thereby
imply that there is a degree OF merit In
the German suggestions.
The President has asserted that
Americans have the right to travel on
any unarmed merchant ship wherever
they please, and IL Is the view here that
much less Is the right of Americans to
travel on American ships open to limita-
ton.
When the President told Germany on
June . that he would be glad 20 COM
municate to England anything Ger
many might propose looking to an
amelioration of the maritime war II was
then predicted that Germany would not
respond to this invitation.
1t is felt hat the notes references to
this have verified this prediction. Many
here now seriously doubt whether Ger
many ever has seriously contemplated
''' OfAN ~ ~ ~
operations II England would modify her
policy.
BY many officials IL liz believed this
German note was addressed more to the
American public and the German public
than TO the United States Government.
There have been many evidences that
the Germans have been informed that
Americans are divided on the submarine
issue. particularly since MIR. Bryan's
ro%signation.
IL Is known that Ambassador Bern
0torf has so informed his Government,
and his emissary, Meyer Gerhard. did
the same In more elaborate manner. 1t
" admitted here that to a certain de-
gree the German theory Is correct The
following paragraph from the Norgen
Post of to-day is regarded as accurately
representing the German notion In this
respect
Feeling in the United States i.
changed from what 1t was at the time
OF the Lusitania sinking and Presiden,
Wilson Will nave to satisfy this new
feeling i'll considering II answering the
present note. That the note will NEE,
unrestrained approval at the hands OF
. large part OF Americans is certain
That there is some truth in his is
admitted here and IL Is recognized tina,
this 10 a factor which the President will
nave 10 WeIsn very carefully. To the
German Ambassador and Mr.. Bryan is
given the credit FOR the increase in those
~favoring the German case.
There are authoritative indications
That 1t has been the object OF Germany
ana her representatives In this country
merely to carry the issue to a po!n,
where the danger of a break would be
much less than 1t was last May. I,
u known that official Germany feels
that this has now been done that the
note OF to-day is SO friendly that 1,
can never b. made the cause of a rup.
ture.
II is learned that there never has beer
the slightest intention or expectation OF
'iermany's making any real concession.
regarding her submarine operations.
The belief does prevail, however, tina,
Germany will exercise a particular car.
that no more American live. he de
stroyed in submarine attacks. 1; is no,
expected that Germany has anything I,
yield on paper. but there is a stronl
feeling that she Will In a practical wa,
seek TO avoid arouslne An erlcan indig
nation TO "A high pitch.
Pursuance of this course may promp,
a way out for the United states i'm tina,
II Will remove the issue from bringins
the two countries 10 the breaking point.
The German Ambassador returned II
Washington to-day. He had no com
ment to make for publication, but ex
pressed his pleasure that IN. tnp. n, III,