New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-06

tanned IN the following phIaEthP'
"'The German government, guided by
this idea. notifies the government of the
United States that German naval forces
have received the following orders; In
accordance with the general principles
Of visit. search and destruction OF mer-
chant vessels recognized by interna-
tional law" such vessels, both WITHIN
and without the area declared 70 be
naval war zone, shall not be sunk with
out warning. without saving human
lives. unless the ships attempt 10
escape or offer resistance.
Putting a fair and reasonable inter-
pretation upon this statement. we may
understand il 70 mean that the German
government promises the United States
that Il will observe the recognized prin-
ciples of international law governing
visit search and the destruction OF
merchant vessels, whether the vessels
be passenger liners or freighters'
whether they be neutral or enemy ana
whether they be found within the war
zone surrounding the British Isles or
in any other part Of the high seas
Nothing is said in regard 70 whether
Germany will consider armed vessels
as really included in the class Of mer-
chant vessels, but the evident intention
Of the note to avoid break with the
limited States makes II reasonable TO
assume that armed vessels Will be so
included. since the United States has
already declared that armed vessels
cannot be destroyed without warning
unless they make use Of their arma-
ment.
No Reason for Break Now.
an the concluding paragraphs OF
Secretary Lansing's note Of April ~
he made the statement that If IL Is still
& the purpose Of the Imperial German
/ Government TO prosecute relentless ana
indiscriminate warfare against vessels
of commerce by the use Of submarines
without regard to what the government
of the United States must consider the
sacred and indisputable rules or inter
national law, and the universally rec
y
eminent of the United States is at last
forced 20 the conclusion that there is
but one course that 10 can pursue.
"Unless the Imperial German Gov
eminent should now and Immediately
declare and effect an abandonment of
its present methods of submarine war
fare against passenger and freight
carrying vessels. the government OF the
United States can have no choice but
20 sever diplomatic relations with the
German Empire altogether
But since Germany now gives prom
Use and in the last few days has gwen
evidence Of an intention TO reform her
conduct and 20 observe the indsputa-
bic rules Of international law, and the
universally recognized dictates Of hu-
manity.' there is no reason why we
should break with Germany until by
some future act she disregards her.
promise. Furthermore, we can have no
right to dictate what weapons Germany
shall use, provided she does not violate
international law.
Germany's Answer Great Concession.
"Gcrmafv's answer may be considered
ae q great concession TO the United
States. and as a substantial compliance
with the demands Of our government a.
formulated i'm the extract of the note
Of April 10. Just quoted. Unfortunate
+ lv. with that diplomatic density so
characteristic of the German diplo-
macy. Won Jagow winds up his note
with a statement to the effect II the
German government does not doubt
that the United Staes will now demand
and insist that the British government
shall forthwith observe the rules OF
international law universally recog
uized before the war as laid down IA
the notes presented by the government
of the United States % the bruSn
government December 26, 1914, ana
November 3, 1915.
"'Should the steps taken By the gov
eminent Of the United States not at
tain the object of its desires TO have
the laws of humanity followed by all
belliqerent nations the German gov
eminent would then be facing new
situation in which il must reserve to
itself complete liberty Of decision
This amounts 70 serving notice on
the United States that the German
government viii not continue 20 OBJ
serve her agreement unless we take
effective measures TO compel Great
Britain to observe international law
and cease from her violations OF our
neutral rights Of commerce. II would
+ have been much wiser II Won JagoW
had intrusted this matter Of compelling
Great Britain TO respect our neutral
rights 10 Americas sense Of justice.
The unfortunate terms IN which the
+ German remarks are couched give
. them almost the appearance Of g
threat, and any threat would be GER
tain to arouse the American govern
ment and people.
Uncle Sam Neutral.
"But we should remember in this
serious crisis that IL peace Is TO be
maintained the German note must prove
acceptable to the German people rs well
as TO the American. We must remember
the bitter feeling in Germany caused
/ by our unneutral action. for we have
been unneutral IN permitting Great
/ Britain 10 disregard our neutral rights
/ Of commerce with Germany. We ought,
therefore, as a people believing in that
respect for international law which we
/ have professed in all our notes and
recognizing that we have been wrong,
/ 10 accept the German note for what il
/ is evidently meant TO be-a substantial
compliance with the demands of the
IT.