New-York tribune., 1916-02-29
VIII Ask Pledge Not
TO Attack with De-
fence Guns.
GERMANY CITES
SECRET ORDERS
Austria Backs Stand Not
to Postpone Sub
marine Order.

Washington. Feb. 2S.-Germany
ha, al last succeeded. AdmlpiStra-
ZION officials admit, in making Great
Britain a party TO her submarine
controversy with the United States.
Ambassador Won BernStorff's memo
randum. presented to Secretary
Lansing to-day. states that the "se-
crct orders" of the Entente Powers
have given their armed merchant
ships an offensive character and
makes it necessary. in the opinion of
officials. to seek assurances from the
fHies or admit Germany's right to
sink them.
The State Department, 1t is un-
.erstood. has come TO the belief that
% vessel may take on ar offensive
character and thus forfeit immunity
sf her commander is instructed to at
Jack submarines without frs. being
tired on. On this understanding, it
is held TO be impossible to settle the
present controversy with Germany
without bringing in the Entente as
third party.
The German note reiterates assur-
ances regarding the future conduct
of submarine warfare given N the
Lnsitania case. 1t is declared those
assurances have not been modified
by the memorandum setting forth
Germany's intention TO treat armed
merchantmen of the Entente Allies
as suxiliary cruisers after midnight
tomorrow. An attempt to justify
the issuance Of the memorandum IS
made by presenting evidence and as
scrtions designed TO prove that the
British government has instructed
merchantmen to use their armament
for purposes Of attack in violation
of assurances given to the United
States.
Contention of United States.
Later IL was said at the State De-
partmcnt that while the United States
TODD uraltcrably for the right Of
merchant ship 20 carry guns for de
fence" ~ was not now and never had
been contcnding that Americans could
travel with immunity on ships having
orders 20 act Extensively.
IL was indicated that although Sccre-
'sry Lansing was not prepared at this
time 20 accept as conclusive the alleea-
ton Of Germany in regard to the con-
fden,iai instructions alleged TO have
been given 10 British sea captains. that
n the allegations were sustained the
fact would have an important bearing
upon tho future attitude Of this gov
eminent. II is felt in high official
quarters here that the question of mo-
tive is the cardinal consideration in de-
terminine the difference between defen-
sivc and offensive armament.
Copies Of the so-called British in
structions. which were handed TO Am
bassador Gerard in Berlin and which
arc considered by Secretary Lansing TO
be the all important element in the sit
uation a. IL stands at present, have not
yet arrived. Pending their receipt and
subsequent decision regarding the at
titude of the United States. the State
Department IS prepared 10 consider any
over act committed by the commanders
Of German and Austrian submarines
M the light Of the facts. II was au-
lhoritatiyely stated that the depart
ment probably would not act upon the
ease OF An American who sustained in
uries aboard a vessel which it could
definitely he established was 10 be Of
iensively used.
Distinction Is Made.
The Etatc Department makes broad
distinction between resistance and Of
.ence. Il holds that merchant ship
mas right TO resist capture, but no; 10
"e' extensively. OF course. il is ad
m'iied, vessel loses all immunity
"h'lo in the act Of resisting.
Authoritative information obtained
mere tonight ir dicated that the British
se'ernment probably would combat the
allegations Of Germany that British
."ps ostensibly armed for defence are
'n reality armed for offensive pur-
poses. 1t wes said that British masters
"'a not been instructed to hunt for
SOpmsrincs; that, ON the contrary. they
.aa been told o do everything possible
70 avoid the craft, and that only in the
,cht OF hostile submarine approach
Ng without warning near enough TO use