Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-20
AMERICAN LIVES INVOLVED
controversy with Wilhelm
Strasse Therefore Calls for a
Prompt Understanding, while
Questions of Property Raised
by COntraband Can Wait.

Washington. May i9.-President Wilson
will await a reply from Germany to the
recent American note before making fur
ther representations to the allies on al
legged violations of international law in
their commercial embargo on Germany.
This was made clear to-day in official
quarters, where it was explained that
data concerning detentions of American
cargoes had not yet been completed ana
that moreover the notes under prepara-
ton would not be sent now in any event
because of an unwillngness on the part
of the President to have the situation
with Germany complicated by the Ameri-
can governments correspondence with
Great Britain. 1t Is understood to be the
Presidents position that the case of the
United States as set forth in its note
to Germany should he disposed of ire
spective of any contemplated move with
regard to the allies. The idea prevail
ing in some quarters that representations
to the allies might influence the charac-
ter Of the German reply is not shared,
it is said. by the President who is un-
derstood to hold that the German govern
ment naturally should have confidence
that the United states would do it's ut
most to safeguard it's rights in all cases
QUESTION is URGENT
The controversy between the United
States and Germany. it was pointed out,
involves the safety Of the lives Of Amer
lean citizens at sea and necess.tates a
prompt understanding. Questions Of prop
erty such az are raised by the issues over
contraband as between the United States
and Great Britain require more time to
collect data and no lives are endangered
by any delays.
The fact that the United States Is pre-
pairing to make what are described in
some quarters as vigorous representations
to the allies on the subject Of contraba
however already has had a notcea bile ef-
feet In Austro German circles here where
the action of the United States Is awaited
with keen interest
IMMEDIATE REPLY NOT EXPECTED
Secretary Bryan announced to-day that
no immediate answer was expected from
Germany to the recent American note
The German government In occupied
Just now with the Austro-Italian cri-
sis and at best the reply to the Amer
lean note will require several days of
legal points involved
Government officials to-day cleared
up a misapprehension that has existed
in many quarters as to the extent to
which the American note insists upon n
restriction of the activities of German
submarines. The idea that a completa
Abandonment of the submarine as a
commerce destroyer is asked for is in
correct it was stated. The United
states pointed out its objections gen
orally to the present method of con-
ducting submarine warfare and the
difficulties of exercising visit and
search, but officials explain that the
legal rights of the United States only
extend to the safety of Americans on
board bellRgerent ships. Should Ger
many return to the practice of torpe-
doing merchantmen after giving them
warning and time to save all members
Of the crew, ground for objection here,
1t is admitted, would be for the most
part removed
BEARING OF L.. S. STATUTES.
Reports that Germany had decided 10
suspend submarine attacks on merchant
men were not confirmed to-day at either
HS ''i man VI austrian embassies the
state department 1t is known that both
the German and Austrian ambassadors
rabled their governments advising ex-
treme care in the submarine attacks on
vessels carrying Americans, but they had
no word to-day as to whether any new
instructions to submarine commanders
had followed the receipt Of their sugges-
tions.
In anticipate Of the report that Ger
many would point to the carrying of arms
ana ammunitons aboard the Iusitania
as violation of American statutes, 1t |
was learned to-day, officials OF the de-
partment OF state consulted the COM
merce department before the American
note OF May l3 was completed The rul- |
ngs and opinions of legal officers Of the |
government as late a S 1911. it was found |
construed the statutes as applying to
self-exploding material and not to small
arms and ammunition