Arizona republican., 1916-02-17

the point was. made by the United States that the ship was unarmed. But that was only to meet the Ger man assertion that the Lusitania had mounted guns when she left New York
 ! The. internal political situation in Germany is regarded here as making the situation grave, because the von Tirpitz element is understood to be reasserting itself with considerable eff feet and the subject requires delicate B e { Il m a n- Hollweg administration would be regarded as unfavorable in it's effect.
 Germany. it was pointed out has made no declarations that it's pledges in the ,Lusitania and Arabic cases did not apply to armed ships. On the con- trary this government on November 7, 1915, in note to the German govern ment asserted the right of merchant ships to arm for defensive purposes, although it called attention to the fact that Great Britain had agreed not to arm her merchant ships entering American waters.
 What form the next step in the ne- gotiations will be is not disclosed, but there are strong indications that the German government will be asked tl assure the United States that mer- chant ships, armed for defensive pur- poses only, will be exempt from un- warranted attack.
 From German sources tonight came the statement that it was pro ll3le Berlin would give such assurances, but that in doing so it would require information as to what the United States considers to be defensive F. 7ea : ment. Extended negotiations may fol- low on that point.
 State department officials pre- ;c for statements replied that they con eral weeks ago, when it was described as grave.
 Diplomatic correspondence will con = tinue with Austria as well as with Germany. Austria has given assur- ances in the Ancona case which this government has no intention of relin- pushing.
 The United States will, of cou .e continue it's efforts to induce the en- tente allies to disarm their merchant men and in the event of their reluS-
 ing the state department probably will further limit the character of arma . ment which it considers defensive. In that ah ha limit would cause ships having it aboard to be considered warships and
 reated accordingly in American o'ts
 There is no indication, however, that the instructions under which Ameri- can port authorities are operating will be changed in the immediate future
 State department officials are giving attention to the differences between Germany's assurances in regard to the conduct of submarine warfare in the war zone around the British Isles and those given in regard to the ilediter- ranean. The first apply only to liners" the meaning and scope of which never has been definitely estab- lished. The latter do not mention ihe hiiti bul iIlClbtit SDlDS Dl dlI kdIl1sI sI-S, including passenger and freight Gd rying.
 The new Germanic memorandum o. fers to armed merchantmen" Off cials of the state department want tu have a clear understanding of wh. { each reference means and incluues They are particularly desirous of de for ,i.,i,, h. men include liners, the armed or Vi = armed character of which has not b zen mentioned.
 It was said at the German embassy that Count von Bernstorff had not communicated with Secretary Lansing since he called at the state departme .; at noon. The ambassador appeared tJ be much surprised when informed of the announcements of the departne'it It was said at the embassy that Sec retary Lansing had made no more tran passing mention of the armed ships question during today's conference
 It was pointed out that the a:a bassador had informed Secretary Lansing of the intentions of his gov ernment in regard to armed merchant ships at the conference last week. As the German communication was placed before the secretary today it included with a single exception, all the changes suggested by Secretary Lansing The exception was of minor importance and MT. Lansing was represented as saying he did not see that it differed materially from the wording suggested by the United States.
 German diplomatic circles tonight seemed unable to understand the at titude of the state department It was insisted that the German and Austrian memoranda regarding the intention to sink armed merchant ships were prompted by the American memoran- dunn and that had not the latter been issued, the central powers never would have made their announcement.
 It was expected tonight that Count yon Bernstorff would be invited -ko the state department probably tomorrow and that the views of the United States in regard to the whole subject would be explained to him that he might ad- wise his government.