The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-21
Germany Will Be Compelled
However to Give Up Re-
prisal Campaign in British
Waters
NOTES MEANING is
MADE MORE PLAIN
Secretary Lansing Advises
German Ambassador That
Means Only That illegal
Warfare Be Given Up

Berlin, April 2o.--United States
Ambassador Gerard handed the
American note to. the foreign
office on Thursday afternoon.
The Imperial Chancellor. Dr.
Betfrmann-Hollweg, has not yet
seen IL.
The newspapers today have but
little comment on the note. This
comment, however, Is most VOL
ent.
Washington, April 90 While
the threat of a break I'm relations
with Germany still remains, tho
situation was made to appear less
nlenacing by official explanations
today.
The state Department matlSs IL
p,ain that no new demands have
been made upon Germany. What
has been done is TO renew The
former demands I'm form ap-
preaching an uitimatuYn.
At the same time IL was official
iy brought out tint the United
states is ready and willing to
negotiate with Germany for peace
Explanations made by the tigI-
est State Department authority
today present the situation ss
follows:
First. That the United States
demands of Germany only that
she declare and put into effect an
abandonment of Illegal methods
of submarine warfare. There Ia
"A uV ~EH nvl
her submarine warfare entirely.
Second. That the United States
will he satisfied IL Germany puts
into operation in the British
war zone the same submarine
methods employed in the Ne,iltcr-
ranean and will accept pledges to
do so as n means of avoiding q
break.
This leaves the decision up to
Germany as 1t was before, hut 10
clarifies the situation by making
plain the fact that the door is
still open for diplomatic ne.otia-
ton. The explanation came after
IL visit 90 the State Department
today of Count Won Bcrnsi orff, the
German ambassador. The amhas-
sador Is understood to have told
Secretary Lansing that the Pressl-
dents note to Germany could be
interpreted either as demanding
an end of submarine warfare
against all vessels of commerce,
or as demanding abandonment
only of Illegal warfare.
Does Not Demand Total Cessation
1t was later authoritatively al
ounced at the State Department tn;
he note meant what it said. thi
present methods" of submarine wa
are be abandoned. There was no wa
art, it was declared, for the into
rotation placed upon the note
ONE press associations and new
apers which construed 1t as meanir
demand for the cessation OF oil sui
larine warfare. -,
THE United States Is contendir
or the conduct Of submarine warfai
n conformity with International law
was stated at the department
This has been our position from II
rst."
1t was added that legal submarir
warfare would require Germany
xercise the right of visit and scare
nd would require submarines
make absolute provision for the sa u
v of passengers and crews oefol
ttacking any vessel.
State Department officials made
bsoluteIy clear that the United Stat
as not changed one iota from TT
osition announced by the Prestdei
n his note and message. The d.
hands have not been lessened in IL
highest degree, but it was mad
ta yNn
eading into the note and messas
tronger demands than the Pres
ent's plain language conveyed.
No one In Washington. not even TT
ierman ambassador himself. know
THAT reception the American demand
rill meet in Berlin.
The difficulty in the situation. we
ealized in Washington. is this:
Must Give Up War OF ReprfsaI.
To meet the American demans
Germany must give UP her war
etaliation on Great Britain. The sui
marine campaign In the war cor
round the British Isles was entere
Ipon as a reprisai against the illeE
rtish blockade, the announced pu
lose of which was TO starve out &c
many.
1t has never been commended
Germany that the submarine can
,aign In the British xone II in col
ernity with international law. Ju
ification was claimed for 1t. howeve
4 a repr.sal, and 1t has been urgs
" Germany that International n
ustifies reprisais.
Whether the German government
serrnan public opinion viii suppc'
he relinaxishmsnt Of this cAu1paaq