New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-12
Wilson Weighs Ger
man Good Faith in
Sea Discussion.
GERARD GETS
BERLIN'S REPLY
Washington Believes Sin.
certify of KaIser's Gov
ernment DiSCredited.
fFrom The rrihun, Bureau J

Washington, April 1.-THE Cabinet
devoted the greater part Of its meet
ing to-day TO a consideration of the
I U-boat situation. II reviewed the re-
lations Of Germany and the United
States since the beginning of subms-
rine warfare. weighing Germany's good
faith.
The German denial Of the Sussex at
tack, it was decided. would not affect
the situation materially. President
Wilson and his advisers agree that the
question is much broader than that
raised by the recent attacks. The ques-
tion now to be decided is whether Ber-
lin has kept its word. and whether IL
intends TO do so in the future.
Hardly a doubt remains in Washing
ton tonight that Germany's sincerity
is thoroughly discredited in the eyes
of this government. The belief is amply
supported in high official circles, but
the President has given no indication
Of his probable course.
Freight Ships Not Protected.
In German quarters the idea Of fur
their difficulties is secuted. The Ger
man denial, it is held. disposes OF the
Sussex case, and as for the English
man. the Manchester Engineer, tho
Eagle Point and others, they were
freight ships, End the German govern
ment never gave any assurances that
freight ships would not be sunk with
out warning" 1t is declared that, while
Germany will endesvor In all cases TO
save lives when it is possible TO do so
without prejudice to the success OF the
operations, attacks on freight ships will
be considered justifable az a reprisal
against Britain's illegal blockade"
The word "liners' as used by Ger
many was intended TO cover passenger
ships only, il was said. President vii
son professed TO understand that the
German government meant "all vessels
belonging to line" and it was on this
understanding that the assurances
were accepted as a diplomatic VIC
tory" The statement here that the
submarine campaign would continue
without abatement, and without quar-
ter. so far as freight ships are con-
cerned, is similar to the declarations
Of German officials in Berlin and the
confidential information reported by
Ambassador Gerard. These statements
render the German assurances value
less, and are part OF the evidence
against Germany's sincerity as consid-
cred by the Cabinet to-day.
To Keep Out Of War.
More indications that President Will
SOL is scrutinizing the domestic out
look with reference t. his action
against Germany became apparent to-
day. The hopelessness of obtaining the
diplomatic victory toward which his
original policy was directed, however,
is the strongest inducement TO end 1t
all by breaking relations. The German
Ambassadors threat at break would
mean war makes for delay. The Presl-
dent is anxious to keep out of the war.
Some of the Presidents political ad
visers have been busy lately declaring
that a break in relations would not
mean war. The President knows, how
ever that with relations broken of the
peace of the two nations depends on
Germany. BY abandoning submarine
warfare, Germany could preserve peace
even If the two ambassadors were with
drawn. There is. however. no reason
to suppose that Germany would aban-
don her campaign merely 10 prevent
the United States from breaking on re-
lationS.
The President, who has not fully re-
covered from a cold he caught on the
Potomac River last week. considered
postponing to-day's Cabinet meeting,
but decided TO holC it, because he de-
sired a discussion Of the subrsrine
question.
Berlin via London, April 1.-The
German governments reply 10 the
American inquiries regarding the
steamship Sussex and four other YES
els which have been sunk r damaged
was delivered to-day to the American
Embassy.