The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-02-11

sidcred its note TO be in harmony
with the views OF the United States.
While officials of the state depart
ment declined 10 discuss the notifica-
lions received, IL was admitted in var
ious quarters that the question prob
ably would receive little opposition
from the state department. II was
considered that the immediate effect
OF the notification would be TO cause
the department 10 announce more
quickly than has been deemed adyis-
able IT'S intention TO abandon the old
ruling. made before German cruisers
We're driven from the seas. which per
Rittcd merchant ships 10 carry arms
for defensive purposes
The department is known TO have
hoped 20 secure an agreement from
all OF the entente allies 10 disarm
their merchant ships. and then TO ST.
cure pledge from the central powers
10 refrain from attacking such I'M
armed ships without warning These
undertakings. 10 was believed. would
bee crystallizcd into new principle
% international law
Nc Replies to Note.
Secretary Lansing saIu today that
none OF the allies mad replied 10 his
note. O,lers SAID that the announced
intentions OF o., German and Austrian
governments would force Tale hands
oi their enemies
In the embassies OF the allies here
h was freely stated that. although
word had not been received from their
governments. not the slightest doubt
prevailed that the suggestions OF the
United states would De- rejected
The view of the diploma, seemed
10 De that as enemy submarines sure
ly would sink their merchantmen r,-
sardiess az whether tney resisted or
not. sAIpmastCrs would prefer to take
their chances 40 saving their vessels
10y lighting n they were unable TO es-
cape capture by flight
Confronted with the virtual threat
of the United States 20 classify armed
merchant ships as war vessels. and
Z therefore not entitled TO enter AmeTi-
can water more than once In every
I six months. or 10 remain more than
| twenty hours. o. was said al one
I Of the en- bassIe- here that II the
United States. IN face Of the desperate
need OF ships 90 carry lbs products
abroad. could afford 20 exclude from
it- ports allied merchantmen. tho gov
ernm.utS owning them could AFFORD t,
send iu only enough unarmed hips 90
take out the goods consigned 90 them
selves. There seemed reason 90 bee
iieye that the view obtained at that
embassy fairly reflected an this tim.
The position of other allied govern
meufs
Would Boycott Ports.
D. 10 was said 40 the embassy that such
/ action virtually would amount to 1
boycott of American ports. d. was also
confended that such course would
Doc farrcachin- and disturbing 20 the
American trad" boz general % was su-.
Lc-fpd that tho uuarWed morchau'
ships which did enter American ports
would boz met outside the fhroe-mile
limit hy war-hips and conveyed Oh
their destination. or that the ships
themselves might Dog armed af sea.
ln connection with tho American
memorandum. based upon tho under
standing Chat only submarines of thg
central UO. cr- were at sea. 90 high ~
nrIa' was asked whether Tho reported
presence lu the Atlantic 0f flr NotWl
0r TorEl. capfor of OBJ. Appam. al
tered thr viewpoint off This govern
meut BIO replied that DO uas doubtful
That ths presence ~ one raider would
make much difference m was admit
frd however. ina. should moro Ger
man raiders make their auuoarano,
con liberation might hD given fo chang
cd condition.