New-York tribune., 1916-02-19
Assurance Applied to
Unarmed Ships Only,
Asserts Ambassador
CONSULS TOLD
OF u. S. STAND
Sweden Warns Her Sub
jects to Keep Off Threat
ened Vessels.
From Tie Tntun. Bur.il

Washington, Feb. lS.-Ambasssdor
Won Bernstorff sent a long cable
message TO his government to-day.
reporting his conversation OF yes,er.
day with Secretary Lansing and ask
ing that his arguments in the Lusi-
tania case be officially confirmed.
The ambassador reported that he
gave Secretary Lansing the follow
ing outline of the probable reply of
the German government to the Sec
rotarys charge that the submarine
assurances had been nullified by the
recent German memorandum:
"First-The assurances given the
United States after the Arabic was
sunk, that no more liners would be
sunk without warning and provision
for the safety of non-combatants.
are still valid. Ambassador Won
Bernstorff declared that the assur-
ances were never intended to apply
TO armed vessels.
"Second-Germany has never been
asked by the United States for as.
surances that armed vessels would
not be attacked without warning.
The American note Of Iay l3, to
which Secretary Lansing points as a
clear statement Of the American de-
msnds, said:
1.-The lives of non-combatant.
cannot lawfully or rightfully be put
in jeopardy by the capture or de-
struction Of an unarmed merchant
man.
"Third-Any assurances that the
United States now seeks regarding
the conduct Of submarines toward
armed vessels should be treated sep
arately, and not confused with the
Lusitania case. which concerned un.
armed vessels exclusively.
No Reas.n for Discussion.
"Fourth-The two governments have
no practical reason for discussing the
status Of armed merchantmen at this
time, as all vessels in the North At
lantic trade, entering or leaving Amer
-
hood of American citizens being on
other ships Is uncomfortable.
"Fifth-Granting, for the sake Of ar
gument, that the question of armed
vessels does enter into the Lusitanis
discussion, the United States has sd-
mitted that arms on merchont ships are
presumptively for offensive action un-
less evidence is sdduced to the con-
trary. No such evidence exists i'm the
case of the armed vessels Of any OF the
belligerents, but, on the contrary, there
are cases on record in which merchant
men have attacked submarines, and the
secret orders Of the British Admiralty
TO British shipmssters make it clear
that guns are not mounted on British
ships for defensive action"
Secretary Lsnsing's replies to all
these arguments are also reported in
the ambassadors cable message, II is
understood. 1t is apparent. however.
that Germany's plan now is 10 prolong
the discussion on these legal points,
and the German government is there
fore expected to pre- ent its case in the
form outlined. knowing in advance
what the attitude OF this government
will be.
There is as yet no suggestion at the
State Department as TO what means
will be employed, il any, 70 force Ger
many 10 An early compliance with the
American demands A month ago, when
President Wilson was touring the West,
statements given out here in official
quarters declared that no more delays
would be tolerated, but that some form
OF coercion would be used il Germany
tried to temponze further
Lansing Outlines United States Views.
Secretary Lansing to-day sent cir
cular 20 all ambassadors and ministers
Of the United States, outlining tho
views OF this government on the arm
ing Of merchantmen. lie pointed out
that the righ. 20 arm for self-defencs
was recognized in international law
and that unless there was an agree
ment among the belligerents to sus.
pend the law this government must rec
ognize il during the remainder OF the
present war. lie also Indicated the
character OF the evidence tha. nigh.
be admitted to prove ths. srmame /
was intended for defcne. only.
Tbs sseretary'' purpose IN ssndins