Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-11
NAY WARN GERMANY
70 SHUN COAST
PERIL SEEN IN RAIDS OF sUBMA-
RlNEs IN AMERICAN
WATERS.
WILSON AND LANSING
CONSIDER TAKING ACTION
Protest Sent to Great Britain When
Cruisers PatroIed Coast Cited as
Precedent Warrantins Objection
State Department Still Gathering
Evidence and Action Is Deferred.

Long Branch, n. j., Oct. 11.--Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary of State
Lansing discussed in detail at Shadow
Lawn last night the German subma-
rine attacks on merchantmen Sunday
off the New England coast. The con-
ference lasted until late at night and
is being continued today.
| 1t was indicated by officials today
that facts so far collected thru gov
ernment agencies have disclosed no
grounds for drastic action by the Unit
ed States government because of the
attacks themselves. No evidence has
. been found that international law was
violated by the German submarine or
submarines.
May Warn Germany.
1t was understood, however, that the
president land secretary discussed the
wisdom of pointing out to Germany the
inadvisablity of operating her subma-
rnes in close proximity to the terri
torlal waters of the United States.
Administration officials took the po-
sition that the transferring of subma-
rine warfare so close to Americas
shores was fraught with grave danger
because of the possibility of mistakes
being made by submarine command
ers. Reports that strong sentiment eX-
lists IN Germany for the resumption of
submarine warfare on a broader scale
cahjed some llarri among officials.
The announcement OF COUNSELLOR
Polk of the state department in WASH
ington that the United States will re-
fuse to accept the contention of the
entente allies that neutrals should de-
ny the use of their harbors to all sub
marines preceded the arrival of Sec
rotary Lansing here. The president
and the secretary of state went over
this point in connection with the dis
cussior of the entire Issue.
This arrival OF James w. Gerard.
American ambassador to Berlin, in
New York shortly before Mr.. Lansing
left that city for Shadow Lawn added
interest 10 the meeting between the
president and Mr.. Lansing because of
the fact that the secretary saw Mr.
Gerard at luncheon in New York.
Cite Protest to Britain.
In discussions OF the submarine at
lacks ~ Sunday. officials here re-
fe!red to diplomatic correspondence
between the United States and Great
Britain beginning in 1914. in which
tn. American. governmeR. protested
against the patroiling OF the American
coas' outside TIA three mile limit by
British warsili5a- This was pointed to
as providing s. precedent for protest
ing against the proximity OF German
submarines to the American coast
III .EI correspondence with Great
Britain. tha United Stat..s look the po-
sitios that it always had maintained
that patro.lins by belligercnt. cruisers
in proximity 10 ports of tn. United
states was inconsistent with the treat
ment 10 he expected from the vessels
of friendly power in time OF war.
Great Britain did not admit the legal
correctness OF the stand of the United
States, but promised to do everything
possible to avoid annoying American
| shipping. While no formal announce
ment was made. it was considered
| probable the United States would take
a position with regard to German sub
marine operations similar to that as
sumed in connection with the war
ships coast patrolling.
Still Gather Evidence.
There was absolutely no indication
that the president and Secretary Lam
sing had any ground for thinking Ger
many had violated its promises not to
attack merchantmen without warning
and without providing for the safety
of the passengers and crews. 1t was
stated however, that evidence was still
being collected and that no final de-
cision on this point had been reached.
]