The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-03-10
To Insist Law Be Observed
by All the Bel
ligerents
EMBASSY DENIES NEW
GERMAN CHARGES
Each Statement Receives a
Specific Reply from
British

Washington, March l0.--The United
States government is not likely to presi
for a final settlement of the LusitaniG
case until il hears further from Great
B-i5ain. Ii the state department carrie:
out its present intentions, il will make
an inquiry of the British foreign office
after all the information Germany has
submitted in relation TO the new sub
marine order has been carefully studied
The president and the secretary of state
are agreed that care must be taken not
to demand an observance OF international
law on the part of Germany, without
insisting that Great Britain shall also
adhere TO a strict observance of inter-
national law. The position of this gov
eminent is that all the belligerents must
recognize the principle for which the
United States is contending
So far as the original Lusitania case is
concerned, this government, so persons
who are competent to speak say, does
not intend to yield one whit. The Ger
man government must settle that case
on the terms laid down by the United
States. But the final settlement in that
case, il is pointed out, can not be reached
until the United States can have definite
assurance from the German government
that in its future conduct of submarine
warfare, the rights of neutrals will not
be violated. The immediate business be-
| fore the state department is to get to
the bottom of the present submarine
controversy, the controversy that has
grown out of the new German order eli
fective March |.
1t is plainly the purpose OF the admin
stration to try to obtain an agreement
from both Germany and Great Britain
under which it will be possible to close
up the Lusitania case and, indeed put
an end TO the whole submarine issue.
Whether tbs can be DONE officials say, is
problematical. The historical review OF
the submarine issue in its new form as
submitted to the state department We'd
nesday by Count Won Bernstorff, the
German ambassador, undoubtedly has
made an impression here. The statement
is recognized as an accurate one, az it
relates TO the underlying causes for the
new German order.
1t was pointed out yesterday that the |
United States government cannot over
look the declaration by the German gov
eminent that the British government has |
armed merchant vessels for offensive OPP |
erations. The appendices, which were
made a part of the new German subma
rine order, and which are now being |
studied by the secretary of state, are
said TO set out alleged secret orders is
sued by Great Britain to the master of
merchant ships. If this is the case, the
state department viii, OF course, ask
Great Britain about these alleged orders.
Officials here are inclined to the view
that Germany in the communication sub
mitted to this government Wednesday
the correctness of the prin
siple for which the United States il con-
tending, and this fact revives the hope /
that if this government can obtain from
Great Britain assurances that all arma- !
nent will be removed from merchant yes |
sells, or that these vessels will be armed |
n accordance with international law, and
will use that armament in accordance
With this law, Germany will be able to
atisfy the United States.
1t was pointed out yesterday that this
government is not concerned in any con- G
roversy between Germany and Great {
Britain that affects those belligerents i
My. but is bound to take notice of a q
oint situation which affects neutrals. q
Carly in the submarine controversy, the {
Inited States took the position that it t
ould not recognize unlawful submarine il
warfare as an act OF reprisal. 1t will, a
+ course, stand by that position. 1t is Y
sserted that this position will in no way d
e surrendered by demand on Great Q
britain that merchant ships be armed /
nd manguvre in accordance with inter
ational law.
One of the encouraging features in the
ituation is the lapse of nine days since g
he new submarine order became effec d
i've without the lives of any Americans g
eing placed in jeopardy. Officials If b
his government have every reason to be- 81
eve that Germany intends TO take ev b
ry possible precaution against precipi- t,
lting crisis. 81