New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-02
Sussex Note Covers
Marina Case; mo
Politics." His Stand
GUN ON LINER
is HELD LEGAL
America to Reject Any
German plea That Weapon
Justified Attack

uL;,g,on. Nov. THE new is
-. With Germany raised by this
s.vs-nment's ~ inquiry into the sink
'Dg Of the Marina and K0~anmOre M
80, 80 serious turn to-day with an
's.onnssment by Secretary Lansing
So, me Presidents policy had not
.h.,gsd since the Sussex was sunk.
The ultimatum 10 Germany on the
c,sssx case indicated that another
.iol.tion Of Germany's pledges
wopld be net by a rupture IN rela-
inn, without any opportunity for
Germany to offer apologies or repair
alton.
Secretary Lansing also said to-
d,y that politics would not affect
the handling Of the present situa-
non. though it was intimated that,
3. Germany probably could not hear
from her submarines for week or
nore no action would be taken be-
fore election.
Break If Pledge Is Violated
From Secretary Lansing's state
msnt j, is inferred that the United
States will be forced 10 sever diplo-
matte relations with Germany If 1t
is found that the attacks were
Illegal. The decision on this point
depends on questions of fact that
have not been determined. These
are:
Whether warning was given.
Whether the submarine ceased
attacking when the vessels sur
rendered
Whether safety was provided
for the non-combatants on board.
Secretary Lans.ngs statement fol-
lows:
eth, fact tha, a political campaign
is in progress viii in no way affect
the practice Of the department IN
rego;ia0ng and in making full inves-
,igstion Of cases Of this sort. We
shall DO it, as we always have, with
IS much celebrity as possible.
81 wish also 70 make another state
uent on a matter which has been
brought to my attention. The ques-
ton has been raised as 70 whether the
policy Of the President or the depart
nsnt in regard 70 submarine warfare
since the Sussex was sunk has been
changed wish to say emphatically
that there has been no change in any
PARTICULAR"
Thought Disavowal Sufficient
The statement caused some surprise.
because lately officials have intimated
tst disayowai and punishment Of the
commander would satisfy the United
States II another violation Of Ger
nany's pledges occurred. This i'm
pesson has been carried TO the Ger
mar Embassy also, and it was gener-
ally agreed yesterday that the en-
ssssy's promise Of severe punishment
toT the commander had forestalled the
possibility Of a crisis.
Count Won Bernstorf to-day asked
his government 20 forward by wireless
such details Of the Marina sinking as
had been obtained. officials Of the
embassy maintained confidence that no
violation Of pledges was involved.
The announcement from London that
the Marina was armed with a 4.7-inch
gun mounted astern attracted mucn in
ierest to-day For it revives the dis
pute between Berlin and Washington
on armed merchantmen.
Germany has contended stesdfsstly
that in view Of the novel conditions
surrounding submarine warfare and
The British Admiralty's instructions to
destroy enemy submersibles, any armed
ship was liable 20 destruction on sight
and without warning.
Upheld Defensive Armament
The announcement of this stand in
February caused something Of panic
N Congress. and the President was
eohged TO exert extreme influence 20
prevent the passage Of a surrender res
oiutlon. Soon afterward the State De-
partment issued a circular defining the
sn'us Of armed merchantmen.
This circular said private ships were
'hu'led 20 carry arms for defensive
purposes. The State Departments po-
sl''on VAS based on the ancient rule
'na' as private belligerent property at
ssA is subject 20 seizure without com
Fnsaiion by enemies, the private own
q mas a right Of defence. Under this
rue the Marins's gun is held not to
prejudice her status as a merchant
nan unless IT was actually used TO at
'ses the submarine.
secretary Lsnsing's statement to-day
,' s.s' 1t clear that the United States
=" s"nd by its position on armed
esn'inoed on page 3. soluran q