The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-03

1sxse fnto sons~ soxt 81 action.
! How@ver. there apearently has beeh
y shin ~ the Departments position
On the rights at submarines Is axainss
even defennivefy armed merchantmen.
Mue NOT Eke~is<
The delicate Judgment Of the gov
ernment. as expressed in It's notes
I TO Germany, has been that the sub
marine has 80 developed that II could
discharge all Its international duties
and obligations under the right OF visit
and search. This government also
has steadfastly held that merchant
vessels which leave American ports
armed for defense must respect the
rights of the submarine to give warn
ing and then submit to visit and
search. III the merchant vessel re-
sisted. she automatically lost her
rights, under international law.
officials here have interpreted the
British viewpoint to be that merchant
men will resist capture and that the
vessel itself shall be the judge OF
whether IL les being attacked.
III the officers decide that their ves-
sci Is being attacked or about to be
attacked. then the merchant vessel
also will attack.
The State Department today seemed
leaning more to this view. It found
expression in the following outline OF
the departments attitude:
First. The appearance of a subma-
rine in the vicinity of merchant yes-
sci would undoubtedly create the i'm
preston on board that vessel that II
was about TO be attacked.
Second. A Submarine cannot set up
the excuse of it's fragility for conces-
sions under International law
Another statement emanating from
the department today, which occa-
stoned surprise was that II Germany,
under her new decree, should sink
merchantmen, this government
would investigate. even II there were
no Americans aboard. Heretofore, II
had been generally accepted that the
United States was not concerned
where Americans were not involved.
Such was the departments attitude
In the case OF the Japanese steamed
Yasaka Maru, which was destroyed
In the Mediterranean. II In under
stood that the department at that
time refused to extend its good offices
to the Japanese ambassador.
Text of Gore Resolution.
The text of the Gore resolution,
which VIII he brought up in the SEN
ate tomorrow morning, Ia as follows:
Concurrent resolution.
Whereas, number of leading
powers OF the world are now engaged
in a war OF unexampIed proportions;
and,
Whereas, the United States Is hap
PLY at peace with all OF the beiligerent
nations; and,
Whereas, is IL equally the desire
and the interest OF the American peo-
pie to remain Mt peace with all ma
tons: and,
Whereas, the President has recent
ly afforded fresh and signal proofs of
the superiority of diplomacy to
butchery as a.method of settling inter-
national disputes; and.
Whereas. the right OF American
citizens to travel on unarmed beliig-
erent vessels has recently received re-
newed guarantees of respect and In
and,
Whereas, the right of American
citizens to travel on armed belliger-
ent vessels rather than upon unarmed
vessels liz essential neither 10 their
life, liberty or safety. nor to the indie
pendence, dignity or security of the
United States; and,
Whereas, Congress alone has been
vested with the power to declare war,
which involves the obligations to pre-
vent war by all proper means con-
sistent with the honor and vital In
terest of the nation: Therefore. be 1t
Resolved by the Senate (the House
of Representatives concurringl, That
IL liz the sense OF the Congress. vested
as ii 10 with the sole power to de.
clare war, that all persons owing al
icgiance to the United States should.
in behalf of their own safety and the
vital interest of the United States. for
bear to exercise the right of travel as
upon any armed vessel of
any beliigerent power, whether such
vessel be armed for offensive or de-
fensive purposes: and it is the fur
Their sense of the Congress that no
should be issued or renewed
by the Secretary OF State, or by any
one acting under him. to be used by |
any person owing allegiance to the
United States for purpose of travel
upon any such armed vessel of a |
belngerent power"