New-York tribune., 1916-02-29

ornament on board all Of them is TO be
used especially for purposes OF attack.
The charge is made that Austrian
submarines also have been attacked ny
armed British merchantmen, which the
note declares arc not conforming, ana
have no intention Of conforming. TO inc
assurances given TO the Unit0' States
by the British government IN 4 mem
orandum OF August p. 1918, by Sir
Cecil SprinC-Rice. British Ambassador.
The German government says II cannot
sec how the American government. IN
consideration Of these facts, can regard
armed British merchantmen as peace
ful trading ships
The note makes il clear that the Bcr-
lin government believes its new m
structions to submarine commanders
arc in accord with the viewpoint OK
pressed By the United States in its
memorandum proposing modus VI
Vendi 10 the Entente Allies for the dis
armament of merchant ships.
1t declares that German submarine
commanders have been so instructed
that they will not destro- merchant
ship on question OF armament unless
II is known positively that such arma-
mont exists. The declaration that pre-
vious pledges will not be revoked also
is formally given.
The efforts Of the United States to
have the belligerents agree 10 modus
vivendi. which would cause all mer-
chant ships TO be Gisarmed. II Is de
clared. are welcomed by Germany.
'~hen follows a declaration that the
German government will no longer
allow its submarines TO be made the
= - al ~
principles OF international law. and
therefore the new instructions Will not
be postponed or modified.
Appended 10 the communication.
which was signed by Count Won Bern
storff. was q list of about twenty inc.-
dents where il Is charged German and
Austrian submarines have been at
tackled by merchantmen armed oster-
sibly for defensive purposes. AT no
place in the communication Is II sue-
gested that American citizens be
warned 20 remain Off armed merchant
ships, and the question OF what consti-
tutes defensive armament is not
brought up, although it is admitted in
various quarters that such question
probably will be raised.
Austria IndOrses Note.
Baron Lwledinek. cnarge o. INC
Austrian Embassy. called upon Secre-
gary Lansing after Count Won Bern
storf had left and informed him that
Germany's views. as set forth IN the
note from Count Won Bernstorf. were
identical with those OF his government
and that Austria in effect seconded
everything contained in the German
communication.
From Entente diplomatic sources
came the information that what had
been described as Italy's reply TO the
suggestions of the United States for
modus vivend providing for the dis
arming of merchant ships in the inter
est Of humanity in reality was re-
port of Italy's position, as outlined 10
Ambassador Page al Rome by the
Italian Foreign Office and forwarded to
the State Department. This was in the
form Of an explanation Of the condl-
lions which had prompted Italy 10 arm
her merchant ships, especial reference
being made 70 the sinking OF the An
coma. prior 10 which no Italian ships
had been armed.
II was asserted with emphasis tina
Italy's formal answer 20 the American
memorandum would be in accord witt
that of Great Britain, France, Russii
and japan.