The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-18
GERMANY'S VIEW SEEN.
Washington Does Not Believe Al
lies VIII Ray Much Heed.

WASHINGTON. April lit is not
doubted here that the views expressed
in Or pernburg's letter represents those
OF the German Government In some
respects they resemble closely sugges-
tions put forward IN recent months in
an unofficial way 10y the German En-
bassy.
on the morning Of April % THE SUN
printed what purported to he suggestions
OF terms OF peace acceptable to Germany.
These terms were said to have been com
municated to the United States Govern
ment
These terms arc described as follows ::
No extension ~ territory for any
81 the bcllgerents
German evacuation Of Belgium
without payment ~ any indemnity.
Payment 10y Germany to belgium
~ reasonable sum for the Congo
Free state
\ general international agree
ncut establishing the freedom OF
TN" seas I'M time ~ war.
Immunity Of commerce from at
tack lu war.
The demands voiced by p pcrnhurg
are regarded here, however, as the re
suit of GoruanN's experiences i'm the
present war. rather than as tho IDEAS for
to fight by entering the war II Is con
sdercd also that Dr DcruburG IL giving
expression Ia them now for the benefit
Of tho ncutrdls, rather than with an idea
of suggesting anything acceptable to the
'Allics
II IL noted that the two chief features
in the German demands voiced by Dr.
nernhurg are the freedom of the seas
and naturalization of cable co'lmunica-
tons The cutting of the German cables
Was the first pinch which Germany felt
from the war while the Allies control
OF tho seas was the second
Even neutral opinion here inclincs to
the opinion that II the naval supremacy
in the present war were held by Ger
many Austria and Turkey Dr. Dcrnburg
would not now lie heard coming out In
favor of naturalization OF cables and the
freedom Of the seas in time Of peace.
II Is pointed out in fact that the
German suggestion that they are fight
ing for the freedom Of the seas began
10 bc heard only after the German
cruisers were swept from the ocean
highways.
There happens TO he, however. rather
remarkable precedent for GermanvS
present demand for the freedom Of the
seas 20 all commerce in time of war as
well as in 'in- OF peace The treaty OF
1879 between the United States and
Prussia contained many provisions far
in advance Of tho generally accented
ideas prevailing both then and now.
Among them was one which set forth
that IN the event either the United
states or Prussia was engaged IN war
the commerce of the other contracting
Power was 10 he practically free and un-
restricted and n" goods belonging To the
contracting Government happening to bo
neutral were to lie Conhscatcd bv the
contracting Government engaged in the
war
Under this treaty. renewed by
Prussia in 1928 and admitted by Ger
many TO be in force to-day for the
empire, the Berlin Government recently
admitted her liability to the payment of
damages for the sinking Of tho Ameri-
can schooner William =. Frye. II is
a fact however, that at that time Prus-
STA was not maritime power
II j. nor expected here that much
attention will he paid to the Dernburg
proposition in quarters sympathetic with
the Allies. particularly as the Allies
have solemnly pledged themselves to the
restoration Of the kingdom Of Belgium
To the status IT enjoyed before August
1914.
While the United States as a neutral
would willingly echo Dr. Dernbnre's pro-
posals, there Ii no expectation here
that the countries who owe "a large
part of what success they have won
against Germany to their control OF the
seas are prepared to give up the one
advantage they possess.
u Is also to be doubted whether the
United states Governments looking to
the possibility Of the United States being
at war at some future Time would
be willing 10 rclinpuish rights of which
II has avallod itself probably as freely
" not more freely than has Great Brit
ain In this wal