Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-16
INTENSE INTEREST FELT
IN NATURE OF REPLY

INTENSE INTEREST FELT
IN NATURE OF REPLY
WASHINGTON, May 15.-Word that
Ambassador Gerard had read and pre-
sented to Herr Won JaEow, Minister
for Foreign Affairs OF the imperial Ger
man government. the American note
sent on Thursday as n consequence OF
the Lusitania tragedy and other oc-
currences in the war zone removed all
anxiety here over the delay in trans
mission and awakened intense interest
In the nature of Germanys reply.
In view OF telegraphic and cable do
lays. and the probable necessity for
conferences between the Foreign Min
lister with the imperial' Chancellor.
Won Bethmann Hollweg. and doubtless
Emperor William himself. 1T would not
be considered surprising here If the
response did not arrive for another
eight days. IT will be possible, how
ever, that Ambassador Gerard might
report earlier on the manner in which
the American note was received by the
government and the semiof1cial press.
In the interim. confidence prevails
among high officials, and is shared in
German official quarters, that there
Will be no submarine attacks on pas
senger vessels while the questions at
issue are being solved.
The intimation which came in press
dispatches to-day indirectly from Ber-
lin to the effect that Germany would
willingly submit the questions raised
by the American note to arbitration
was received with much interest, and
II was stated that if there was sus-
pension Of submarine warfare on mer-
chant ships while the discussion was
in progress. the plan might be given
ri Arhi
been talked of here before to-day's
press dispatches arrived. Some Ger
man officials had intimated that. al
though without advices 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 n court of arbitration at
this time. when most OF the great
powers whose partici patton might be
desired are at war, was pointed out by
some diplomatists. however. as making
the plan impracticable.
NUMEROUS PROPOSALS
GIVEN CONSIDERATION
That some way would be found to
reach an amicable settlement between
tho United States and Germany was
the growing conviction OF many Of
fcials and diplomatists to-day. One
which was given serious thought was
a proposal to refuse clearance to
belligerent ships carrying munitions OF
war, or absolute contraband, if they
also carried passengers. This would
involve no embargo, but n separation
of passenger and contraband traffic.
The United States stands firmly on
the legal right OF its citizens to travel
on any ships. and believes its position
is indisputable.
Germany. however. holds that this
has become a debatable question on
account of changed conditions. and il
the two classes of ocean-G going traffic
were separated. submarines would d.
rect their attention TO contraband
ships alone. The objection to this,
however. In the opinion OF some Of
hcials. is that the plan still would not
provide for the humane treatment
which international law prescribes for
the crew of n vessel carrying contra
band and making $50 resistance to visit
and search or any attempt to run a
blockade. To torpedo without warn
ing, or even to give time for the crew
or vessel carrying contraband to get
into small boats 1T was pointed out,
would leave them to the mercy Of the
high seas. unless n big boat happened
to be nearby. This Is the position
taken in the American note, and some
officials doubted whether there would
be any concessions on this point for
1t involves the principle of humanity,
for which the United States has taken
so vigorous n stand.
Another suggestion widely discussed
by officials was the possible announce
ment by the allies that none OF their
merchant ships would be armed here
after. Merchant ships of any national
ity, according to a ruling from tho
State Department early in the war,
have the right to carry guns not larger
than siN-inch caliber. for defensive
purposes only" but by an informal
arrangement with the British govern
ment. clearance has been refused Brit
ish ships at American ports until they
disposed of their guns. Out OF these
phases OF the question there was be-
lief in diplomatic quarters, however,
that some solution Of the questions in
Voived eventually would be reached
without any repetition of such a dis
aster as befell the Lustania
GERMANY EXPECTED