Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-26

yelopments III the submarine contro
versy.
With President Wilson, backed by
his entire cabinet, stfIl snnshaken in
his position that there should be no
abridgment oE the rights az Americans
on the high sas, overwhelming ma
>5Qrities in theshouse and senate appar-
ehtly were determined that no action
should be taken that might enbarrass
the government.
The state department today still is
awaiting 9 response from Germany to
its request for assurances that the an
nouncement Of the intention to sink
armed ships would not affect previous
pledges.
It had been ramored that the central
powers would postpone Inauguration
Of their new policy from Feb. 20 until
April or May.
Negotiations Continue at Washington.
With the apparent quieting down Of
the situation in congress the, subma-
rine crisis shifts back, 10 the negotia-
tions between Secretary Lansing and
Count Won Bsenstorff.
Mr.. LAnsin said today there was
no intention of transferring the nego-
tAdlAO1A0S O5'n0H11lls " Oc 7COHQUCIeO ny
Ambassador Gerard and the Berlin
foreign Office. was. intimated in dis
patches published abrnaA - the
state deparus1lt had he1fa Ming
more hum Germany on itanseG6 sfDlat
1snew auhsnaxint campaign would not
be conductedi in violation Of reassur-
ances thar g4paericans would be pro.
tected. ~. III 4 -
I Thes situation sfn congress is appar-
Iently being In check bs admins
tratfon leaders, while President viii
son remainsafirm il his discrimination
to insist ortethe right Of Americans to
travel on ships armed for defense
solely. t5E
American susgeation Not Rejected.
From German sources comes word
that the -Teutonic governments were
inspired to issue, their new notice by
the sAmerican circular note to the al
lied powers tor the disarmament Of
ships.
From the British Sonrces come the
positive, statement that the British
government, at least, has not rejected
the American suggestion; but is con-
sulting her allies.
The issue is complicated by the at
titude Of the Italian'f government and
The presence at New York Of three
armed Italian merchantmen.
May Discuss Armament Question.
The United States, Secretary Lam
sing indicated today, may discuss the
question of what constitutes proper
armament on a merchant ship for de-
fense.
Germany contends that armament
permitted under international law as
defensive had become offensive with
the advance Of the submarine
Until the question is raised Mr.. Lam
sing regards 1t as premature to an
.nounce the position of the state de-
partment.
One of the entente allies replied to-
day to the request for the disarrna-
ment of the merchant vessels.
The impression prevailed that it was
not Great Britain but probably France
or Italy.
/ Altho Secretary Lansing declined tc
tell the name Of the replying power, it
later was learned that it was Italy and
that the reply was argumentative
rather than conclusive. It was point
ed out that Italian liners give pledges
not to use their armament except for
defense when clearing from American
ports.
iowans Favor Warn;nq.
Members Of the Indiana and lows
delegations were polled on this uues :.
tom
do you favor a warning by con 9
gress to Americans to keep off bellig
erellt merchantmen carrying guns?'
In the Iowa delegation seven replied
In favor Of giving the warning and
four declined to dbmmit themselves.
Following is the poll:
For the resolution Republicans
Hull. Haugen. Good, Ramseyer. Dow
ell. Green. Democrat steele. Non
committal Republicans. Kennedy
Sweet. Towner, Woods. /"
Laurentic Inquiry Made.
Pursuant to Instructions from wash
ington, Ambassador Page made in
quiries concerning the removal Of men
from the British converted cruiser
Laurentic Of thirty eight Germans,
Austrians and Turks from the Ameri-
can steamship China OF Shanghai.
The subject is still under consideration
by the British authorities.
T Altho the circumstances Of this par
|ticular case can not be ascertained
here at present, it is understood the
action taken was in accordance with a
policy adopted by Great Britain early
lin the war.
Committee Favors Army q $4,000.
4 The house military committee voted
today for regular army OF 137, ,008
men. with per cent allswance for
recruiting, bringing the number to;
100000 which is slightly more than the
war department asked The repub-s
flicans aud three Democrats carried the
vote