Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-09

| Germany of the principle that an I'M
| armed and unresisting merchant man
must be visited and searched and pas
sengers and crew removed to a place
of safety before the ship is destroyed.
Until there is an agreement on this
principle, the American government
cannot discuss any modus vivendi or
Temporary arrangements, it is declar-
ed. The German ambassador, 1t is BE-
lieved, is urging his government to
make broad statement on the prln-
ciples involved and reserve for later
discussion arrangements concerning
the separation of passenger and con-
traband traffic.
The proposals made by Germany
that belligerent passenger vessels
which did not carry munitions Of war
shall be immune from attack provid-
ed they heed warnings Of submarines
and submit to visit an search is not
regarded as of itself Objectionable,
providing Great Britain and Germany
were to enter into such an agreement.
Possible Arrangement
The American government. ii is I'M
derstood would be willing TO assist
4 in making arrangements for the safe
carriage of Americans aboard beillg-
erent passenger vessels which do not
carry munitions of war if the arrange
ment were first made between the
belligerents. Such a method. described
in diplomatic usage as modus WV
i endi, would not involve any Surren-
der of rights for the future and would
be applicable only during fixed pc
Rod.
For the United States of its own in
itiative to make concessions, it is held
would imperil the entire fabric of
American rights with other bellgerents
The suggestion is contained in the
German note as now drafted that a
system of inspection be begun where
by American officials and German
consular officers would certify to the
character of the vessels carrying de-
partment Americans. This, it is as
serted. would also he an unneutral
act. The United States has had no
official connection with the certifica-
ton by their consuls of cargoes OF
goods consigned to neutral countries.
These arrangements merely have been
made by American shippers them
selves to protect themselves from de-
tention and delays.
Critical Point
AS whole the German proposals are
| not regarded by well-nformed officials
as bringing the questions at issue be-
| tween the United States and Germany
any nearer a settlement than they were
| several weeks ago. President Wilson is
| expected to return here Monday or Tues
day and the formal German reply prob
ably will reach here at about the same
| time There were many evidences in
official circles today that the German
! controversy was again regarded as crit
cal and the note as outlined was very
| disappointing. Concessions alleged TO
have been made were re-eTred to a slight
reparture from the former position held
by Germany and it was pointed out the
United States holding a strictly legal po-
sition was unable to make any changes
or surrender any points. Irrespective.
however of the suggestions made as to
the future conduct of German subna-
rines as suggested in the preliminary
! draft of the German reply, one of the
chief causes of the pessimist is the treat
mcnt TO De 6CcOrQeQ the LuSlIdfld lTd6
edy.
Originally the United States pointed
out that the German submarine COM
manders must have Inexperienced
their instructions and could not have
intended to sink the vessel without
warning. The last German note in
reply contends that the vessel was
armed, was an auxiliary cruiser and
therefore could not be treated as
peaceful merchantmen. After the
United States submitted official infor-
nation that the Lusitania not only was
unarmed, but did not attempt to re-
sist visit and search, the German gov
eminent, it is now understood, has
taken the position that there was no
intention to sacrifice non-combatants,
a view of the Germans being that the
vessel would be difficult and slow to
sink and that there would be ample
time to remove passengers to a place
Of safety. The United States said in
its first note that reparation would
be sought for the sacrifice of Ameri-
cans on the Lusitania, but Germany
has denied liability for the occurrence.
1t was suggested that Ambassador
Gerard. probably realizing that the
proposals as made by Germany in the
tentative draft would not meet the
American viewpoint asked for instruc-
| tons with the view that the reply
might be modified. Because the mes
sage was somewhat garbled in trans
mission officials here did not clearly
understand what the ambassador had
in mind. but at any rate they believed
it desirable to enter into no discus
sion or negotiation until the answer
was in final form. Some officials still
hope the refusal Of the American am
bassador to discuss concessions may
convince the German Office of the
earnestness of the United States and
bring about modification. There are
intimations from Berlin, however, that
| officials there do not believe the
American government will insist on
the position it took in its last note
and that public opinion in the United
States favored compromising the
question.