The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-09
the same protection which unarmed vcs-
nels Nniiid an iny IN Ahn bish saal

the same protection which unarmed vcs-
sells would enjoy on the high seas.
Secretary Lansing has felt that his
Important point has been left In an un-
satisfactory status by the German re-
ply. The text of the German note does
not show whether Germany admits sho
hss no right TO sink British armed mer-
chantrnen without warning.
The Presidents note clearly indicates
20 tho Imperial Government that the
United States will hold Germany re-
epons!ble for treating armed merchant
men as war vessels. 1t forestalls any
excuse, based on the Interpretation OF
international Law. which Germany might
later advance In justification OF an at
tack on AN armed merchantmen
No secret Is made Of the fact that the
danger of o break in diplomatic rela-
lions continues so long as the German
Government maintains its policy OF re-
lying on The submarine weapon even In
. restricted form.
Consul-t;eneral skinner at London re-
ported again to-day new Instances OF
attacks by German submarines on mer-
chantmen. The steamer city Of Luck
now bound from Alexandria for Liver
pool. was sunk without warning by a
submarine on April 80. according TO his
report. Tn ship sank In Ave minutes
The crew of slSty.two was rescued after
being i've hours IN boats in the open
sca. The Brit sh steamer Cairngowan
h reported sunk on April 20.
Neither OF these cases. II is explained.
comes within the strict Interpretation OF
Germany's pledge In her last note. as
they antedatc the not.
Conditional Promise.
President Wilson's dehnite statement
that the United states cannot Tor a mo-
ment entertain the thought that Ger
many's abandonment Of Illegal subina-
zinc warfare is dependent on Great Brit
tain abandonment Of the blockade is
regarded as likely 10 produce a pro-
nounced impression in Berlin. IL trans
lates the German conditional promise
into an absolute definite pledge. II Is
explained. The Imperial Government is
forced to take the position OF ceding alb
solutely to he Presidents demand with
out condition or without guarantees that
Great Britain will modify the blockade
and this, II H. added. clearly deprives
the German Government OF the oppor-
tunity OF explaining 20 its people that
0remany is only giving NJ the submarine
weapon as a means Of obtaining the
abandonment Of the blockade.
What the effect will be In Germany is
q matter OF conjecture among OFFICIALS
here. As Germany claims the subi,a-
rine warfare Is necessary as a matter
n r~eprisal against Great Britain the
unconditional abandonment of subma-
rfne operations II considered likely 70
cause something of a furry in Berlin.
but President Wilson. II is explained.
10 determined to show Germany that the
United States insists upon a definite
pledge u~nencumbered by conditions Of
any kind.
For "Uome Consumption"
II Is realized here that the conditions
which Germany attached to the con-
tinuancc of It's new submarine policy
were helpful in making the concession
70 the United States acceptable 10 the
German people. II helped the German
reply from the viewpoint of home con-
sumption" The Presidents note there
fore is regarded here as likely unfavor-
ably TO Impress the Imperial Govern
ment. But. az has been frequently 10
dicated, President Wilson Is no longer
willing to sacrifice a desire for definite
understanding with Germany TO n fear
q unduly offending the sensibiiities OF
German diplomacy.
There il a tendency in the Presidents
note, II Is said, 10 lay stress on the
point that Germany has abandoned her
policy" Of submarine warfare and this
10 construed in certain quarters as de-
DhN " NAM S'N' tuAiii " I''itt
in the United States.
Secretary L~ansing's reference 20 the
fact that tho United States could not
rely on the Bryan peace treaties IN
dealing with disputes involving Amer
can lives has centred attention on the
Other peace treaties now in force be-
tween the United States and other
Powers. The Inference from NJ. Lam
sings statement il that no one OF these
treaties could apply in cases OF this
nature. Officials tonight. therefore,. are
wondering whether the value Of these
peace guarantees has not been over.
estimated.
silence Would Mean Consent.
Officials here believe tina Germany
either will have to reply to the note
sent to-day or bc placed in a position
OF tacitly acceding to the stand taken
By the United States "Sllence means con
sent" according to diplomatists. And Sc
they regard IT as practically certain that
the German promises shortly will be re.
= duced to "A definite form.
The Pr sident, II IL explained. Is nov
IN record nS reRarI,pg tho t.orrnar