New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-22
Taking of Another
American Life Will
Mean a Break.
DECISION LEFT
TO THE KAISER
Future Relations Will De-
pend on Conduct of
U-Boat Warfare.
ISSUE CLEARLY STATED
Reply in Strongest Terms Yet
Used, but in Most cour-
teous Words Possible.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau J

Washington, July 21.--A continu-
ance of friendly relations between
the United States and Germany de-
pends entirely on the Kaiser's con-
duct Of submarine warfare. In the
note which will be sent to Berlin
this week the United States will de-
cline to make an issue of the Ger
man refusal to give guarantees, but
will assert that it will expect Ger
many to respect American rights in
the future, and that it will make it's
friendship dependent on Germany's
fulfilment of that expectation.
Any further taking of American
lives through violations of interna-
tional law by German submarines
twill be considered an unfriendly
act" This is the salient feature Of
the American note about to be sent
to Germany. Although there is no
direct intimation of the course this
government would adopt, the phrase
is generally understood by diplo-
mats to mean a casus belli.
Inclusion of this clause in the
note was the cause of some differ
ence of opinion among Cabinet
members, and it is understood that
at least two who have favored a
firm stand are opposed TO its inser-
tion unless the United States is
prepared to back it up with force
if necessary. 1t is probable, how
ever, that their opposition will be
withdrawn before the note is sent.
The United States assumes in the
note that the German government
has every intention to respect Amer
ican rights on the high seas, and
looks to Germany to justify this
assumption by her conduct in the
future, as she has done since the
sinking of the Lusitania. Repara-
ton for the losses sustained on the
Lusitania is again demanded, to-
gether with a disavowal of the act.
Only Logical Course Left.
Officials point out that this course
is the only logical one for the govern
ment to take, unless a direct break
with Germany is 10 be courted. Ger
many has twice refused TO give the
guarantees asked for in. previous COM
munications, and further interchange
without arriving at any common basis
of negotiation is regarded as absurd
Even were the negotiations to be
continued along the line originally fol-
lowed, there would be no cause for
rupture with Germany. officials say,
unless another overt act in contrayen-
ton OF international law took place
The government has therefore taken
the attitude that friendly relations with
Germany will depend entirely on Ger
many's future conduct, and not on
satisfactory reply to American repre-
sentations.
In reality, many officials believe. the
present note states the issue much
more clearly than either Of the pre-
ceding notes. and is much stronger in
purport, if not in form. The inclusion
of the clause declaring any future vi
olation Of American rights an "un-
friendly act' makes it virtually impos.
sble to avoid an open rupture with
Germany If another American ship is
sunk or an American life unlawfully
taken.
Although it was intimated by officials
that assurances had been given TO the
state Department through diplomatic
channels" that American rights would
be respected in the future by German
submarines, and that no more pas
senger ships would be sunk. no con-
/ frmation Of this statement could be OBJ
/ tanned. IL was learned on unQuestion-
able authority that Count Won Bern
storff had received no authority 20 give
/ such assurances, and IL Is not thought
/ that Ambassador Gerard has received
/ them from the Berlin Foreign Ofice.
To Please German Government.
The note will be shorter than its fore
runners, but will be extremely friendly
and courteous. Expressions OF good
will abound in il, and every effort viii
be made 20 render II acceptable 70 the
German public as well as the Imperial
government.
Germany's proposal to label non
contraband carving vessels will be re-
iected. as will be the suggestions re
garding Immunity to certain classes
sbins This government will take the
attitude that, though appreciatiye OF
the spirit in which they were made,
acceptance of such offers would amount
10 a surrender of vakyable right -