New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
Submarines Have Not
Violated Promise,
Zimmerman Says
STRICT ORDERS
GIVEN CAPTAINS
Asserts u. S. Is Rousing
Fear of Unneutral Lean
ing to Britain

Berlin, Dec. 13 (by wireless to
Sayville) .-I can affirm with abso-
lute certainty that no German sub
marine has Intentionally attacked a
merchant ship without warning and
without giving all on board ample
time and opportunity for rescue"
declared DR.. Alfred Zimmerman,
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in
discussion to-day with member of
the Overseas News Agency.
"The orders to the commanders Of
our submarines are clear and strict
in this direction" he continued.
"You will have read a report about
submarine that found during
stormy weather a steamer near the
Spanish coast, which it was entitled
to sink, and which waited many
hours patiently because the weather
made it impossible to rescue those
on board.
"You will recall other German
submarines taking the crews of tor
pedoed steamers on board until the
sea was smooth and passing ship
could take them over"
Alarmed at United States Attitude
DR.. Zimmerman had spoken of the
impression created in Germany by
the attitude of the United States
toward Germany and Great Britain
as outlined in an Associated Press
Washington dispatch of Novem-
Der 10.
THE dispatch referred to said in
part: "The American attitude is
fat and final. No technicalities
will be accepted. Ships must not
be sunk without warning or with
ort provision for the safety Of pas
sengers. The armed ship issue
will not be accepted."I
"As to the impression created" con-
tinued DR.. Zimmerman, almost since
the beginning of the war two currents
of opinion could be discerned in Ger
many. Judging by the rules of neu-
trality, the United States Intentionally
favored Great Britain in an almost
outspoken fashion, according to some;
others took the view that the United
States was neutral in spirit and action.
"The discussion between the advo-
Gates of these two opinions was some
times very animated. This discussion
was reopened by the dispatch in ques-
ton.
Shock TO Americas Defenders
"The parties and newspapers that
did not believe that America was OBJ
serving strict neutrality accepted the
dispatch as confirmation of their opin-
ion, and to the others the news came
as shock.
"To understand this effect one has
only TO recall the large number of
facts which have been before the eyes
Of the German public during the last
few years.
England has repeatedly announced
that all English ships ought to be
ready to destroy German submarines
wherever they find them. This has
been publicly proclaimed, as we'll by
private as by official persons in Eng
land. Quite recently Lord Robert Cecil,
In the British Parliament, gave ex-
preston to this view.
1.-THE London Times of November
21 published a letter from a well
known Member OF Parliament and ship
owner (Robert P. Houston), promising
a prize of $4,000 to every English
born captain who, with an English
merchant ship, destroyed a German
submarine.
Take Law Into Our Hands
Houston on this occasion added that
English sailors ought to return to the
methods of Hawkins and Drake, or
should initiate the example set by
Nelson in the Copenhagen case-they
oueh. 10 take the sea law into their
own hands. Houston was fully con-
scious that he advocated and advised
actions contrary TO the law Of nations.
1--WE further knew that hostile sub
marines have attacked and In some
cases have sunk German merchantmen
without the slightest warning. Thus
were sunk the German steamers BIrge-
meister Votmelle, Dorita, the Elbe and
Hollandia. They we're all attacked by
enemy submarines with artillery or
torpedoes without the shadow of a
warning.
"These facts, Of course, justify the
suspicion that among other German
steamers which are simply overdue or
have not returned several met their
end in .he same fashion.
an one case, that Of the steamer
Kolea, we know il from survivors. In
this case seven human lives were lost
and survivors declared that a British
sabmarine calmly steered around he
sinking ship without even stirring a
hand toward rescue. | merely refer 10
this in order 20 explain the feeling OF
the German population.
Obey Cruiser Warfare Rules
Germany, on tho other hand, has
promised the United States 70 carry