The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-05-20
TO OFFER
TOSTOPATTACkS
TEXT OF REPLY TO AMERICAN
NOTE ANTICIPATED BY OFF,
CIAL WASHINGTON.
ARBITRATION SEEMS LIKELY
Teuton Government Will Seek Unre-
:trieted Passage Of Foodstuffs to
Civilians, is Belief-No Word
from Gerard.

Washington, May 1S.-W1thout
word from Ambassador Gerard as to
the attitude Of the German govern
ment toward the recent American
note, official Washington ATTACKS
much significance to the limitations in
diplomatic quarters here friendly to
Germany, that the latter country in
its reply might offer to suspend at
tacks without warning on merchant
ships, while the United States re-
newed it's informal proposals for the
unrestricted passage of foodstuffs to
civilians in Germany.
1t was pointed out by well-informed
European diplomats that al offer OF
arbitration or settlement by diplo-
macy of the questions at issue, would
most certainly be made by Germany,
with an agreement to abandon subma-
rine warfare while the discussion was
in progress.
Would Ship Foodstuffs.
Officials have been reticent about
discussing the idea of arbitration or
the proposal with reference to food.
stuffs. but 1t was indicated that the
situation had progressed to the point
where the United States would o be
likely to be satisfied with any condi.
tional acquiescence In the American
position.
1t was intimated that IL Germany
accepted the American point OF view,
the natural tendency of the United
States of it's own initiative would be
strongly to press It's contention on the
right to ship foodstuffs to Germany, a
matter still under diplomatic discus.
sion.
There is a likelihood. too, that some
understanding might be reached
through the medium of the American
government whereby Germany could
be definitely assured that no mer-
chant ships leaving the United States
would be armed. making 1t possible for
submarine commanders to exercise the
right of visit and search with impun,
ity.
WaoA T0y III 'NC6tfd ~ SOOuos
Whether Great Britain would con
sent to disarm all her merchant YES.
sells carrying contraband Is a matter
OF conjecture. Britain has insisted dur.
ing the present war and also main.
tanned with much vigor in her CORE
spondence with Russia during the
Russo-Japanese war, that a prize
should be sunk in case of military ne
c~essity. This position has been taken
by the United States in it's naval code
of instructions On the theory that de,
%struction of neutral goods of non-con-
traband character aboard b%elligerent
merchantmen would require the pay.
ment of heavy damages.
That the question of permitting Am
orleans to travel on armed merchant
men may be shortly taken under con
sideration is intimated in well in
formed quarters, On the other hand,
some officials believe there will BIZ lit
tie necessity for this, as Great Britain
already has informally agreed not to
arm her vessels plying between Brit
ish and American ports.
What is regarded as one OF the
hopeful signs in the general situa.
ton, is the confidence reflected In OF.
fetal and diplomatic quarters that
Germany will meet the United States
at least half way and certainly will
suspend for the time being, her sub.
marine attacks without warning dur
ing the diplomatic correspondence.