The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-29

ters had not been instructed to hunt for submarines, that on the contrary they had been told to do everything possible to avoid the craft, and that only in the event of a hostile submarine approaching without warning, near enough to use bombs or torpedoes, were the shippers authorized to use their guns.
 LESS POSSIBILITY OF TROUBLE
 All things considered. the state de- partment is understood to feel that the possibility is more or less remote of difficulties arising in the near future as result of the new German and Austrian policy. In the first place of ficials believe that comma 1ders of German and Austrian submarines will take particular care not to attack with out warning armed mer chant vessels upon which there may be Americans. This belief is strengthened by the dec- laration in the German note received today, which was ac4uieSced in by Austria, through Baron Zwiedinek, charge of the embassy here, that the orders issued to the naval commanders were so formulated as to prevent the destruction of enemy lines "on account of their armament unless such arma- ment is proved"
 In the note presented by Count Won Bernstorff several references are made to declarations of the United States in previous correspondence in the Lusi- tania case. There were strong inti- nation today that administration of- ficials are inclined to resent the repe- tition of certain expressions and ref erences without the text in which they appeared, holding that in doing so the German government has given false impression of the attitude of this gov ernment. It was even suggested that should the United States reply to the communication presented today it may take occasion to point out the erroneous construction placed upon several of these expressions.
 The communication from Germany probably will be considered by Presi- dent Wilson and his cabinet tomorrow and official indication regarding it is expected soon thereafter
 AS TO ITALIAN SHIPS
 In regard to reference made in the note permitting Italian ships to sail from American ports, it was said at the state department that it should be clearly understood that pledges were required to meet special eases as they arose, and that it was not intended to establish a precedent or lay down rule. Officials also declared emphati cally that Germany had not been asked to postpone or change the new orders to her. naval commanders. They ex- pressed wonder that such statement had been included in the German note.
 It was explained in Teutonic quar- ters that the information contained in the note other. than applying directly to the reiteration of assurances given in the Lusitaina case, was given for the information of the state depart ment, 1t being known that there was some delay in receiving from Berlin the complete appendices to the German memorandum.
 From entente diplomatic sources came the information that what had been described as Italy's reply to the suggestions of the United States for a modus videni providing for the disarming of merchant ships in the in terest of humanity, in reality was a report of Italy's position as outlined to Ambassador Page at Rome by the Ital- ian foreign office and forwarded to the state department.
 This was in the form of an explana- tion of the conditions which had prompted Italy to arm her merchant ships with especial reference to the sink ing of the Ancona. prior to which no Italian ships had been armed
 It was asserted with emphasis that Italy's formal answer to the American memorandum would be in accord with that of Great Britain, France. Russia and Japan.
 Congress gave the armed ship ques- tion little attention today. About the only development at the capitol was the issuance of @ statement by Repre-