The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-18
NO new PLEDGE TO
COME FROM BERLIN

a new submarine tragedy In y

a new submarine traSeuN III WnlCn
American lives are involved.
Mr.. Lansing lid not hesitate this after
noon to admit that but for the new
situation which developed with the pub
location Of 1trmary's submarine decree
the T.lSitsn!, case might now be iH the
process 81 Anal settlement.
Reeaiuih.. the assurances previously
uemandaI us Germany concerning tine
future cohduc. Of her submarine war
fare. he said the United states had Az
sumcd that the pledges given al the
time that the Arabic was SUM and also
at the time the Persia was destroyed
would liz satisfactory.
Concerning the satisfaction demanded
for what was past and gone-the attack
without warning on the Lusitania and
the destruction Of the American lives on
board-he admitted hat the informal
negotiations between himself n the
Ambassador had reached a point where
the two Governments were practically In
substantial agreement.
Just at that point. however. he pointed
out. along comes his new proclamation
by Germany OF her intention to regard
all armed enemy merchantmen a. aux,
Hilary cruisers and 10 sink such vesseis
without warning. S,rch an intention. no
explained. the American Government wa
forced 10 regard as inconsistent with the
assurances previously given and a. OPEN
Ing up a new and important considera
ton.
To right this Inconsistency the Secre
tary indicated that Germany. II would
seem. Is called on to modify her recent
decree ia the extent Of saying thai her
submarines would not attack armed
enemy merchantmen shat are armed
solely for defence. v&,ether such mcr-
chantmen are passenger or freight ves-
sells.
Between these two classes Of ships tho
American Government. II WAS stated
can draw no distinction. AS American
citizens might be employed In the crews
of foreign freighters.
II anything. II was declared, the OBJ
legation of the United States to protect
such Americans is even more so'e mn
than the obligation to protect Amerl-
can passengers OH passenger vessels.
for whereas American travellers NAV
travel by preference oil the liner of Il
helligerent Power American sailors are
usually on board the fre'ghters ~ snc'i
Powers by virtue Of needed employ
ment.
Moreover. from the standpoint If the
state IJepa rtment. IL VAS TO nc assumed
prior to the issuance of the German de-
cree that even enemy freiglters we're
lA'l " "" nv WV - '''r "
view Of the assurances given h" Ger
many last January reg lrdiiig the COW.
lu.' of her submarine warfare N me
Mediterranean.
To wha' extent the tinted States viii
demand that tho German decree "e
modified tine state department i uot
repa red to state. Secretary Lansing.
il was authoritatively said. has ~" IN
ien,ion o: binding himself 20 ANY par
,,,,t.. tF,. ~ p,nItti. aftan nt'if aftg.
ne hears what Germany has 10 pro
pose. Right, here 1t is admitted t'at
in the last analysis the whole question
il likely Ia revert to the inquiry a. 10
what constitutes "~armamont for Dc
fence on merchantmen.
Even as the American ,;overhInen;
has itself contended in previous cor
~respondence with the Powers al war.
armament; on merchantmen carries thc
presumption that such armam"n; WV
be used extensively. and the presump-
ton can only be rcmoved on the 'H' g
of evidence to the cou;rar THIS c"t-
dence embraces considerations ~ To the
placing Of the cuns. heir eel hr'' m
character # the vessel. he S. 80 those
on board n the destination % ih'
ship.
Although the United States IN ,nst' ic-
tons to port officers has laid dow rul"
FOR such cvidencc the Development of the
submarine with ia peculiar v1lnernbi|lty
has caused this iuS""'tin cni 10 c,lisiucr
q change n these rules.
For the Ars, tim. this Afternoon idt
state Department d,.clo'ed 1t. ""nrrp-
ton with respect Ia ,ie use 20 which,
armament on y rerchsu: snip could lie
nut without making tit.' Use "ifen>'"
! 4 cas-, IN poilt 1, was stated. w,uid b.
. about a. follows
merchant. sii, MI 'nal! cdi;hr.
guns. mounted aStcru. L. chased by y
. submarine. The submarine fires 4 warn
ing shot. The merchant vessel imnlcdi'
stely comes to 4 halt The submarine
however. in di.oh.dicr"e Of the rules OF
warfare. continues firing Then. II We.
stated, the merchant vessel ma! use heG
guns to proter; herself and AT the anne
time seek 10 escape.
Why y merchant vessel Of F, be-
,lCer.nt Power should l.. ALLOW cl tn de-
fond itself. whereas on land private
owners 90 prol.r'! may not defend theft
posscSsiuus "ga,QSt attack 10y ~ or
gsni2ed fore. was also 80; forth for the
,irs. tine from the american sta ndpoiNt,
Til. di.;ia,tiou. II was stated. rests
on the fact that whereas n hostile
,rmy OH and may not ."nfiscate prl.
vate property TO i,s use, hut must pay
for II, vet OF sea n warShlp may cou
hscate an rncm! merchant ship with
ont payment. Thus. It wa stated. in.
,ernationa, Law gay" merchant ,hips a
mca.ur, of det"uc..
The state Department made public to,
day tn. text ~ The Austrian deere,
which, following the lin" NJ the ,;trmal
decree. serves notice that on and after