The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-03-01
GERMANS WOULD SINK
ARMED MERCHANTMEN
Yet RencWs Pledges Given
i'm Former Notes
CLAIMS ARMED SHIPS
ARE NOT PEACEFUL

repeats Assurances Contained in
Former Notes but Charges that Sc
crct instructions have been Given
British ScamnStcrs.
Washington Feb. 2S.-Gcrmany, in
a formal note presented by Count Won
Bernstorif to Secretary Lansing today,
relterates assurances regarding the
future conduct Of submarine warfare
gwen III the l-usitania case, declaring
those assurances have not been mOdi-
lied by the memorandum setting forth
its intention to treat armed merchant
men OF the entente allies as auxiliary
cruisers after midnight tomorrow, and
attempts to Justify the issuance of the
memorandum Dy presenting evidence
and assertions designed to prove that
the British government has instructed
merchantmen to use their armament
Tor purposes OF attack in violation Of
assurances given to the United States.
Later 1T was said at the state do
partmcnt that while the United states
stood unaltcraDly for the right of a
mcrchan ship to carry guns for de-
tense, 1t was not now and ever had
been contending that Americans could
travel with immunity on ships having
orders to act Extensively 1t was In
dicated that should the allegations OF
Germany in regard to the confident
ial instructions claimed to have been
given to British sea captains be sus-
tanned, the fact would have an i'm
portant bearing upon this govern
ment's future attitude. 1t is felt on
high official quarters here that the
question Of motive Is the cardinal CON
sideration in determining the differ
cnce between defensive and offensive
armament
The Important Evidence.
Copies Of the socalled British in
structions, which were handed TO Am
Dassador Gerard in Berlin and which
are considered by Secretary Lansing
to be the all important element in the
situation as ii stands at present, have
not yet arrived Pending their recent
and subsequent decision regarding
the attitude of the United States, the
state department is prepared to con
slider any overt act committed by the
commanders Of Germany and Austrian
submarines in the light OF the facts
1t was authoritativcly stated that the
department probably would not act
upon the case Of an American who sus-
tanned injuries aboard a vessel which
1t could be definitely established was
to be extensively used.
The state department makes broad
distinction between resistance and Of
Tense 1t holds that merchant ship
has right to resist capture, but not
to act extensively. or course, II is ad-
mittcd, a vessel loses all the immunity
while in the act OF resisting.
Authoritative information obtained
here tonight indicated that the British
government probably would combat
allegations OF Germany that British
ships armed ostcnsibly foy defense arc
in reality armed for offensive purpos-
cS 1t was said that British masters
had not been instructed to hunt for
submarines, that on tho contrary they
had been told to do everything possible
to avoid the craft. and that only in
the event OF a hostile submarine ap-
preaching without warning near
enough to use bombs or torDedoes were
the shippers authorized to use their
guns.
No Immediate Danger.
All things considered. the state de-
partment Is understood to feel that
the possibility Is more or less remote
Of difficulties arising in the near flu
ture as result Of the new German
and Austrian policy. In the first place
officials believe that commanders OF
German and Austrian submarines will
take particular care not to attack
without warning armed merchant yes
sells upon which there may be Amcri-
cans. This belief is strengthened by
tho declaration in the German note
received today which was acquiesced
in by Baron Zweidinek. charge OF the
Austrian embassy here, that the or
ders issued to the naval commanders
were 80 formulated as to prevent the
obstruction Of enemy liners "on ac-