Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-17
GERMAN ATTITUDE
STILL UNCERTAIN
No Word Comes From Gerard as
to Reception of Aneri-
can Note.
RUMORS ARE SIGNIFICANT
Diplomatic Circles Confident
United States Will Be Met
Half Way.
RUMoRs ARE SIGNIFICANT

WASHINGTON. May 16.-without
word from Ambassador Gerard as to
Germany's attitude toward the recent
american note. official Washington at
tached much significance to-day to in
timations in diplomatic quarters here
friendly to Germany that the reply
might contain an offer to suspend at
lacks without warning on merchant
ships. If the United States would re-
new its informal proposals for un-
restricted passage Of foodstuffs to Ger
man civilians
WeH-informed European diplomats
asserted that Germany most certainly
would offer to settle the question at
issue by arbitration or diplomacy with
an agreement to abandon submarine
warfare while the discussion was in
progress
OFFICIALS ARE RETICENT
IN DISCUSSING ARBITRATION
Officials have been reticent in dis
cussing the idea Of arbitration or a
proposal with reference to foodstufrs,
but 1t is indicated that the situation
has progressed to the point where the
United States would not be likely to
be satisfied with any conditional ac-
quiescence in the American position.
1t was intimated. however, that IL Ger
many accepted the American point Of
view, the natural tendency Of the
United States of it's own initiative
would be strongly to press its conten-
tion on the right to ship foodstuffs to
Germany.
There is likelihood. too, that some
understanding might be reached
through the medium of the American
" ~
assured definitely that no merchant
ships leaving the United States would
be armed making 1t possible for sub
marine commanders to exercise the
right of visit and search with impunity.
Whether Great Britain would consent
to disarm all her merchant vessels
carrying contraband, however. Is a
matter of conjecture.
That the question OF permitting
Americans to travel on armed mer-
chantmen may be taken under con-
stderation soon, is intimated In we'll
Informed quarters. On the other hand,
some officials believe there will be
little necessity for this. as Great Brit
ain already has informally agreed not
to arm her vessels plying between Brit
ish and American ports.
GERMANY is EXPECTED
TO COME HALF WAY
What is regarded as one of the hope
! full signs in the general situation is
the confidence reflected in official and
diplomatic quarters that Germany will
meet the United States at least half
way. and will suspend for the time be-
ing her submarine attacks without
warning during the diplomatic corre-
spondence.
In this connection there has been
much comment here over the recent
announcements from London that Great
Britain did not understand from Ger
many's answer last March that the
principle of submarine warfare would
be abandoned. 1t was noted that the
same misunderstanding arose when
the German and British replies were
received to the American proposal for
the abandonment by Germany OF sub
marine warfare and the use of mines, in
return for American supervision OF the
distribution Of foodstuffs IL Engla nd
agreed to their unrestricted passage to
Germany when consigned 10 civilians