New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-13
Armed Ship Policy
Is Attacked as
Unneutrai.
MOVE UNWISE,
OFFICIALS ADMIT
Submarine Raid While
Senate Delayed Might
Provoke Another Crisis.

Washington. feO. l2.-PreslGenI
Wilson is seeking 10 avoid response
bility for acquiescing in Germany's
threat of ruthless warfare on armed
merchantmen by saddling 1t on Con-
gress. high official Of the Admins
tration indicated to-day. II is said
authoritatively that assurances have
been obtained from Democratic lead
ers that resolution will be forced
through Withdrawing the protection
Of this government from American
citizens who travel on such vessels.
The State Department received to.
day the official text Of the German
announcement. II had not been de-
coded and translated tonight, and
officials said it would not be made
public until Monday at the earliest.
Count Won Bernstorf and Baron
Zwiedinek have already acquainted
Secretary Lansing with its contents.
however. Il announces that. begin
ming March |, armed enemy mer-
chantmen will he treated as war ves-
sells. and that submarines viii there
fore not be expected to give warning
or to provide for the safety of pas
scngers before sinking them.
Au;os (annot Acouiesce
The ENJOYS here Of the Entente
powers. though they have not re-
ceived the replies Of their govern
ments to President Wilson's sugges-
ton that they disarm their merchant
ships. have advised the State De
rartment that the Allies cannot be
expected to acquiesce in such an
AZ andonment of the recognized right
TO arm for defence. This informa-
ton. coupled with the German de-
cree. has placed the State Depart
rent in an uncomfortable situation,
and officials of the Administration
admit that the move was ill-consid-
cred and unwise.
Some state Department officials ara
sticking desperately 20 the techni'ai
nosition that the United States has not
ceiciallv declared itself on the quos-
,ion Of armed vessels, and that = must
.berfore he assumed that the attitude
of tbi. government has not changed
since the fall OF 1914. when the de-
nsr.ment asserted the right OF NOR
chant vessels 70 arm for defence
Il is known, however that Do me
memorandum 20 the allied powers ask
ing them 20 agree on modus viFena'
which would include disarmament Sec
retcry Lansing said that this govern
ment was considering Withdrawing
i.. nrotec,ion from Americans VINO
travelled on armed vessels. II Is
matter Of record also that the secre'
tarv Of State on several occasions hs'
admitted that the legality OF carrying
arms. in view OF the vulnerability OF
submarines. was open 10 question.
Effective Protest Impossible.
All these considerations make IL prac-
,ically impossible for the State Depart
rent 20 make any effective protest
against the new German policy. A. tho
same time the Administration realizes
tha. 20 acquiesce IN IL would be al ex-
,renely unpopular move, and would
d.scredit utterly the Presidents claims
TO being the defender Of international
law and Of the rights OF non-com-
batants.
The President is looking therefore
for d way out OF the situation that Will
avoid antagonizing Germany and az the
same time forestau hostile criticism OF
him personally. He believes that this
way has been found ia Congress. AZ
ter Congress passes a resolution to
"scu,tle" the right that President Will
son has always insisted on-the riSht
OF Am American 90 travel on the n'sn
seas anywhere and on any pe"e'.s.'
shin the President VIII take the Po''-
non ,hat the change OF policy was
s,rceb an MIN by the representatives
of the people. t.A b,,sos
sre aliye 20 the situation, and perceive
tho significance of the manUuvre Dy
which the Presiden. IS seeking TO snii-
70 the national Legislature the respon-
sibility for abandoning American rights.
.rbe, halfo.e however. that the uaclist