Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-13
ENTENTE ASKING
LANSING ABOUT
SEA PROPOSALS
Diplomats Make Oral Requests for
Information About Memoran-
dun on the Status Of
Armed Ships.
EXACT POSITION NOT DEFINED
No Formal Announcement Expected
Until Written Replies Come
from Interested Nations.
GERMAN AND BRITISH VIEWS

WASHINGTON. Feb. 12.-Diplc-
matte representatives Of the en-
tente allies have made oral represen-
tatlons to Secretary Lansing regard
ing the American memorandum to
their governments suggesting the
disarming of merchant ships and
suggesting that armed merchant
men entering American ports might
be regarded as warships. Although
the State department declined to dis
close the nature OF the representa-
tions. II is believed Secretary Lans-
ing was informed that the entente
government was unwilling to accept
the suggestion.
II Is considered doubtful that the exact
position Of the United states will be de-
fined until after formal replies TO the
memorandum have been received. Ths
texts OF the notes from Germany and
Austria handed to Ambassadors Gerard
and Penfield setting forth the Intention
OF those governments u treat armed
merchantshins ms warships also are being
awaited. SO far, It was sald the repre-
sentations OF the entente representatives
had to do solely with the American mem
orandum.
A high official today declared Il was
not fair 70 say al this time that the Views
OF tho United States on armed merchant
vessels were absolutely I'm accord with the
views OF Germany and Austria
There are strong Indications. however.
that various high officials consider the
position OF tho central powers we'll
founded In view OF the changed conditions
Of sea warefare.
Agrees with American Ideaf
BERLIN. Feb. ie.--Cvia London 1.-THE
Berlin newspapers publish dispatches
from tho United States announcing that
It Is expected that the Washington ad-
mlnistration will soon Issue a warning to
Americans not to travel on merchant
mea which are armed, This newspapers
say that thls announceIlent comes 1T =
timely moment TO confirm the hopes en-
tertaihed IN Germany that the now policy
enuncihtsd IN the German memorandum.
which declares that armed Tnefuhsntrnan
will be treated BY Germany after Feb
ruary % as warnhlps would be found to
conform 20 the revised ideas OF the Amer
/ t~oii AtNbuiAihNut VI Atato On INC tuuuNcI
or submarine warfare and hence tend to
simplyfy IN the future the situation be-
tween Germany and America on this
issue.
Question by Great Britain.
LONDON. Feb. 12-The Manchester
Guardian. IN an editorial on the German
memorandum regarding armed merchant-
men. says;
"Germany's announcement OF It's inten--
tion TO treat armed merchantmen as
warahips after March ! Is to be read In
connection with the proposals which tha
United States government recently made
to the belligerents"
The editorial argues that Washington
proposes bargain, the entente side OF
which is clear. namely the surrender OF
the right 20 arm merchantmen, but the
German side OF which is not clear. ~rhe
United States therefore," II says. s'cau
only think II reasonable if we ahk by
what means It win guarantees that Ger
many and it's allies will carry out thelu
part OF bargain. Presumably the
United States has made or will make
suggestions to meet this difficulty"