New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-24


means Of travel is thrown aside. The
danger this government would run In
adopting such a suggestion is apparent.
Any ship not so designated would be
admittedly open TO illegal attack. This
point is made strikingly clear in the
note.
The note reflects the progress OF sub
marine development in its statement
that 1T is possible and practicable TO
conduct submarine operations in SUB
stantial accord with the accepted prae-
tees of regulated warfare" This is
shown, il says, by "the events OF the
last two months" the reference un,
doubtedly being to the Armenian ana
similar cases in which submarines
showed their ability 10 halt ships IN the
manner of ordinary war vessels
In the first Lusitania note the opPo.
site was believed TO be true. AT that
time guns mounted on the decks OF SUB
marines had not been used 10 any eN-
tent. and this government asserted thaC
il was practically impossible for SUP,
marines TO comply with internauoha,
law in overhauling merchantmen ana
exercising the right of visit
Believe Controversy Ended.
Universal opinion here is that the
controversy with Germany over neutral
rights is al an end and will not be re-
sumed. The only event of importance
that can possibly happen, officials say
is such an overt act as the present note
characterizes as deliberately unfrend-
w." That will mean an immediate sew
GRANGE Of relations and possibly nos
tilties.
lust how to define the hostile act
that would demand the recall OF Am
bassador Gerard is a matter that ON
Gals are not altogether ready to decide
A certain delcacy is felt about pre-
naring for that eventuality as if it were
expected. At the same time, II Is point
I'd out that the attitude Of the United
States is clearly defined in the recent
correspondence with Germany:
The sinking of any vessel without
PREVIOUS warning and the removal OF
passengers and crew to place OF sale
Nv. except in cases where the vessel is
armed for offensive action or repeat
edly attempts TO escape by flight when
ordered to stop for the purpose OF
visit" has already been stated TO tall
outside the range of legal warfare.
Several nice points are raised IN this
connection. The phrase "for the pur-
pose of visit" was inserted intention
ally, it is said by officials, TO cover the
case of a submarine that attempts TO
halt a merchantmen TO sink her, even
after the passengers have been allowed
10 take to the boats. 1t has been held
that leaving passengers ito the mercy
of the sea" in small boats does not
meet the requirement that they be re
moved to place of safety"
For Freedom of the Seas.
The last German note contained
Lrotestations of a desire 20 cooperate
with the United States TO secure the
freedom Of the seas, and recalled that
the two nations since the day OF Benla-
min Franklin had stood together for
this principle. The German govern
ment expressed the hope that some
thing might be accomplished along
those lines during the present war.
The reply TO this in the present note
is short and TO the point. 1T can,
says Secretary Lansing. Much can be
done at once toward the maintenance
Of this principle Not only can II be
done, but the United States will insist
upon it, by whomsoever violated or
ignored"
The note goes even further than this
in suggesting that the United States Is
interested in seeing q more satisfactory
arrangement to this effect as between
the belligerents themselves, apart from
the neutral rights are concerned.
Throughout. the note is thought by
officials TO reflect the absence Of Bryan
influence. Although the eX-Secretary
was never responsible in any large
measure for the actual drafting OF the
preceding notes, their weakening at
vital spots has been attributed to his
influence.
The present note does not distin-
guish between hostile acts in which
lives are lost and those in which the
damage is to property only, but classes
all together as violations OF neutral
rights affecting American citizens.
There is little idea, however, that the
country should be induced to take =
final step, such as the recalling Of an
ambassador, because Of "a property loss
which could be adequately repaired by
an apology and offer of indemnity. If
such violations became a practice the
case would be altered but loss OF
American lives is considered the only
immediate danger.
Relations Depend on Germany.
This leaves the whole question of
peaceful relations between Germany
and the GHAleu DldbtS III NiiN AoANo ~
the German naval authorities. This
government is convinced that they are
able to prevent such occurrences as the
sinking Of the Lusitania, and it will
look on any failure to do so as an
indication of hostile intent.
Count Won Bernstorff, German Ambas-
sador. went 10 the State Department
to-day for his official copy of the new
American note, although he had re-
ceived an unofficial outline Of its con
tents.
The ambassador has had no com
munication with his Foreign Office or
its view Of the note, but his purely
personal view is that the communica
ton will bring a reply, although one
may not be made for more than {
month. His personal view Is that the
situation still is left open for AMIGA
BILE adjustment.