The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-05-21
TO GRANT
MUCH us. ASKS
Berlin Is Ready to Recog-
nize Our Rights in
Principle
REPLY DUE TUESDAY,
SAYS DISPATCH
Latest Rumors Concerning
Germany's Answer to
Presidents Demand

Washington, May 2l.-Germany ha'
unofficially accepted the general principle
that American citizens shall be protected
and safeguarded by the United States
under all conditions. On the ground
however, that it is contrary to all the
rules of international law, she will re-
iect the suggestion that the United
States can demand complete abandon
ment of the German submarine warfare.
Berlin holds that Americas legal rights
extend only to the protection OF vessels
of American register, and to the safety
of Americans on board belligerent mer-
chantmen.
This was understood yesterday after
noon to be the German position, as out
lined to Ambassador Gerard in the series
Of unofficial conferences which have FOL
lowed presentation of the Wilson note to
the Berlin foreign Office. 1t is further
understood that, in his reports to the
state department, which were under con-
sideration yesterday by President Wll-
son, Mr.. Gerard said that such will be
the general tone of tie olncial German
reply.
Germany, it was stated, will make her
answer very SPECIFIC. She Will take up
the American note paragraph by para
graph from her understanding Of the
provisions Of international law bearing on
the case. She will warmly defend her
submarine warfare as reprisal against
an enemy which courted such reprisals
by arming her merchant ships and offer
ing rewards for the destruction OF Ger
man submarines, and will quote resolu-
tons of the British Board of Trade and
shipping organizations asapproving all
methods that would destroy German I'M
dersea craft.
In effect it is understood that the
German officials have told Amba ssador
Gerard that they consider they have been
fighting fire with fire and that any de-
mand by the United States that they
completely cease submarine activity is an
improper one in the light of international
law.
Reports that the United States had
admitted the justice of the latter con- /
tention were emphatically denied by Sec
rotary Bryan yesterday. He refused to |
discuss the matter further in any form,
calling all questions in reference to the
matter improper. He I.ade it plain that
he has "clapped the lid down on all
news, so far as his department is con-
cerned, regarding any future develop
ments in the German situation.
thereafter only such news as consid-
er proper to make public will be given
out" declared the secretary.
Reply May Be Ready Monday.
Berlin, via The Hague, May 2l.--Ger
many's reply to the American note re-
garding the Lustania and similar incl
dents will in all probability be completed
by Monday. Unless there is some unfore
seen delay it win be delivered TO Wash.
ington early next week.
] am informed that because of the
length of the American note and because
IF the detailed requests it contains, the
German reply requires the most careful
irafting. But | am officially assured that
there is no reason for any apprehension {
concerning German American relations. /
The German reply, ] am told, will be /
polite and friendly. II is emphasized /
hat the last thing Germany is thinking I
IF is a breach of diplomatic relations. I
Amsterdam, via London, May 2l.-Bit