The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-04
GERARD BACK, BUT
SILENT AS TO NOTE


the crisis may be averted. or at least
postponed, by Germsny's agreeing tenn
porarily to abandon the present methods
~ submarine warfare en~danRering the
lives OF non-combatants ~ the high
seas. II this vital point In the American
demand Is met the danger ~ "A diplo-
matte break will he dissipatcd.
Interest therefore centres now on
whether or not Berlin will uneuuivocally
yield on this vital issue.
Col. House, who has conferred with
President Wilson frequently on the sub
marine controversy, was in Washington
again to-day. He had a long conference
with Secretary Lansing tonight col.
House Is known to share the Presidents
view that a diplomatic break may he
averted by q definite and ~unepuivool
reply.
viii Reply Ne EvRsivrs
The all important point now, accord
Ing TO officials, is whether Germary's
new orders to submarine commanders
fa,ly forbid further illegal attacks ON
merchantmen. "a whether they are drawn
up with "a view to initiating another
method OF submarine warfare which
would conform to a German interpreted
ton of meeting the United States half
way, without. however. conforming to
the strict dictates of international law.
Germany. IL is explained, has long con-
tended that international law was
framed before the use Of submarines be-
came known and that. consequently. in
ternational law does not apply. There is,
therefore,, "A latent fear among officials
here that the new methods of warfare
which Berlin apparently has drawn up
will not be framed with particular ref
erence to the laws which Germany has
commended are Obsolete
However. there is no one in authority
In Washington who for a moment de
sires TO PREJUDICE Germany's case on
tho basis of such fragmen;ary evidence
as thus far has been received. The few
censored bits OF news from Reilin are
encouraging and officials are willing to
! believe that the submarine issue pre-
sents a distinctly better appearance to.
night.
There Is naturally keen interest IN
speculation as to whether Berlln's in
structions to submarine commander
are Independent of what Germany has
long described as Great Britain's H.
legal blockade methods in the war zone "
II is regarded here as very unlikely that
Germany Will acrec IN effect TO abandon
her submarine methods Of rcprisa'
against Grea' Britain without insisting
upon modification or abandonment OF
| the British blockade
But the all important point It 10 OK
planned is whether GermanN Will tenn
porarily agree to halt her e"-CH!lcd
Illegal submarine campaign pend ng pos
sihle discussion Of the details "f th'
blockade between the United states ano
Great Britain.
Il; can ~ au'horitativelv stated That
II Germany suspends her submarine
warfare pending agreement A. q
methods with the United states 'h'
crisis will he passed and negotiation
%reop.ucd. II can also he said aItu''.
ta,!vely that the United States w"u.l
end.avor 80 have Great Britain conform
rs blockade 10 the strict confines Of ln
ternatioual law u Germany suspend
'illegar' submarine operations agtins
merchantmen while such negotiations
were IN progress.
But II Berlin should make the ahau
donmeu' OF submarine warfare a tutui'
event. conditional upon Great Britain
agreeing to certain conditions. IN" ISSUE
wish the tinted states MI. hc pas
remedy. i, Is said here.
Count Won Bcrnstorff was very hopeful
tonight. He believes that Germany
answer will fu.ly satisfy the Unite,
states. Furthermore, ne IS understood
20 have received pr waite advices iudivat
ing that orders already have been issue,
10 German submarine commanders no
10 continue their methods "f warftr'
against merchantmen IN the war ION"
Secretary Lansing said to-day that n
had no knowledge OF this. HIS attitud
on the whole question. like the dtttud
OF President Wilson. * ono % watch
~. waiting Cor the German reply Tn
secretary said he had not heard from
Ambassador Gerard since last Friday.