The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-24
Tensity Of Situation Somewhat
Relieved By Gerard's Dis
patches Outlining Views
SUBMARINE WARFARE
MUST BE ABANDONED
Further Discussion Anticipated
Before Settlement of Com
troversy Is Resched-Coun-
ter Proposal Likely

Washington April 23--Tae Geliei
Gained ground TODAY that the Gen.
man government Will make a con-
ciiiatory reply to the American de-
mands for abandonment of illegal
submarine wartaIr.
Further official dispatches from
Am6assa dor Gerard. outlining the
preliminary views of the Befiiu
Foreign ONCE after receipt of the
American mole. are described a. en-
ging in tone.
Code messages 10 the German em-
bassy since the arrival Of the note IN
Berlin are also said to indicate tHat
Germany does not consider settlement
of the issue hopeless.
Count Won Bernstorn. the German
ambassa dor, Is scheduled 30 confer
with Secretary of state Lansing after
returning from New York tomorrow.
The German ambassador, under in
structions from his government is eX-
pected to conduct negotiations of n
nature similar 10 those in progress be-
tween Ambassa dor Gerard and For
eign Minister Won Jagow.
No official word has come from Be-
lin as TO when the reply Of the Ger
man government may he expected. The
state Department expects to receive
a reply. how ever, by the middle cf this
week.
Further Discussion Probable
There was almost unauimity OF
opinion in official and diplomatic cir
CIes today that the German governs
ment will make a reply of such char
acter that the State Department will
feel obliged to enter discussion be-
fore taking final action.
There was added belief that the
reply from Berlin will contain assur-
ances that .G;eCtpany will conform to
rules of visit and search If enemy
merchantmen viii submit to visit and
search without offensive use of guns.
1t was definitely pointed out by Of
fciaIs today that while Germany Is
justified in making this or any other
counter proposal in replying to the
note. there must first come deciar-
alton Of abandonment Of present SUBJ
marine warfare
This is declared to be a condition
precedent to any discussion whatever.
ON this point of the Presidents note
and message the state Department Is
prepared to stand firm
Germany embassy officials refused
today 10 discuss the likelihood of such
declaration from the Berlin govern
ment They said with the greatest
emphasis however. that Germany de-
sires peace with the United States,
and that the German government will
NOT force break in relations.
Significance was given to these Off
Cial mbassy views since the embassy
has been in constant communication
with the home government since the
American note was dispatched. The
inference drawn from the statement
of German diplomatic officials is that
Germany will not hesitate to assure
the United States OF it's intention to-
suspend submarine operations until
d.
with the United States or ii is shown
that nothing can be accomplished in
that direction.
LuiI in Operations.
1t was pointed out by a diplomatic
oft cial today that there have been no
reported cases of submarine attack
since the new crisis arose between the
two governments over destruction OF
the Sussex and the sinking of the other
vessels in which American lives wers
jeopardized. This is held to be an In
dcation that Germany does not wish
to complicate the submarine negotta,
tions until the present exchanges are
concluded.
Senator Stone, of Missouri, chairman
Of the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee. will see the President early this
week 10 discuss the submarine issue,
He has cancelled an engagement at this
White House for Monday night. but as
Is expected TO see the President Tues
day or Wednesday.
Senator Stone was at tho White
House last. just a few hours befora
the President went to Congress to read
his message He is said then to have
expressed his displeasure at the Prest-
dents action in sending virtually an
ultimatum to Germany without con-
sulting his congressional advisers.
Senator Stone is believed TO favor con-
sideratiou of any reasonable PROPOSE
tlons Germany may make for settle
meut of the subma rine controversy.
If, as suggested, the German govern
ment agrees to conduct cruiser warfars
against merchantmen, II the merchants
men are required also to conform to
International law, several interesting
questions will he presented
Merchantmen's Armament.
The United States government has
not passed officially on the question Of
what constitutes the offensive and de-
fensive use of armament on a mer
chairman. 1t has recognized the right
of merchantmen to arm for defensr.
but II has not given an official defini-
ton OF just where defense ends and
offense begins
There was informal discussion OF
charges by the German governments
that British merchantmen are under
secret orders to use guns offensiysiy
against submarines. and have so used
them This discussion was going on
between Secretary Lansing and Count
Won Rernstorf when the new German
submarine campaign was announced
The negotiations were then broken on.
One of the possibilities of the present
situation is that the untted States mar
he forced to reach q decision on the
question OF the relative rights Of suh~s
marines and n,erchantmen. Th@