New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-01

armed enemy merchantmen they en-
counter. il is understood they have
been told 10 make sure If possible that
no American citizens are aboard any
ship attacked. Furthermore, in the
latest communication regarding SUB
marine warfare Germany has assured
the United States that the new orders
sre so formulated as TO prevent the
destruction OF enemy liners "on &C
count OF their armament, unless such
armament is proved
1t has not yet been decided whether
the reiterated assurances regarding the
future conduct OF submarine warfare
contained in the German note. are OF
character broad enough TO warrant ac-
ceptance of the German proposal 70
settle the issues growing out OF the
sinking of the Lusitsna. A decision in
that connection may be made within a
few DAYS, and the state Department
tomorrow probably will take steps 70
determine what has become OF the
missing appendices. which were, stsrted
in the mails from Berlin nearly bhres
weeks ago.
Secretary Lansing announced that
pending the receipt of the appendices,
which arc said TO contain copies OF the
secret orders" which Germany alleges
gives the armed ships of her enemies
an offensive character, no action OF any
kind would be taken.
Favor Drawing Allies In.
s.. the Cabinet meeting to-day, how
ever. il is reported that a majority OF
those present favored drawing Great
Britain and her Allies into the discus
sion by asking reiteration Of the
assurances that armed vessels would
not operate extensively. Secretary
Lansing is believed 10 have withheld
his opinion on this proposal. having
been persuaded since yesterday that
the rropriety as we'll as the policy OF
such a move was highly questionable.
The State Department is believed 10
have rcceded from the position which
IT took some time ago. that the
entrance Of the submarine in naval
warfare made necessary a modification
of the principles underlying the right
Of merchantmen TO arm. II is now in
clined rather 10 believe that subns
(rines must take their chances with
krmed merchantmen on exactly the
same footing as other types OF war
hips.
The British position, toward which
he State Department is now leaning,
- the following:
That an armed merchant vessel
which follows a normal course from
port 10 port. without intention or or
ders 20 seek out enemy submarines
or other war vessels and destroy
them, cannot be considered as armed
for offensive action.
That the appearance o. subma-
r;nc in the course OF such vessel
IL.
OF attack and that the merchantmen
may then use her guns, md that such
use is purely defensive.
Serious Issue Faced.
With this understanding OF the case
the state Department is face 20 face
with a serious issue. To seek sssur-
snces from the Entente Powers that
their vessels would mot fire on subma-
rincs unless fred upon would place
this government in N embarrassing
position and would serve admirably the
ends sough. by Ambassador Won Bern
storf. Certain Administration officials
came 70 this conclusion to-day and will
use their influence 20 prevent such a
course.
II President Wilson finally decides
70 accept the British view, as now
seems likely. II viii mean that armed
ships must be treated with the same
consideration as unsrmed. II. there
fore. one OF the Italian armed liners
sailing from New York is sunk with
out warning or without provision for
the safety o. non-coubstants b. a Ger
man or an Austrian submarine the of
tending government would be required
20 make instant disavovsl or risk a
break In relations.
In such a case only efforts 20 resist
or escape, continued up 70 the momen.
Of destruction. would be held TO justify
the attack. A liner which first at.
,eup.s 70 escape or use her guns and
subsequently heaves 10 or surrenders
is entitled 20 the same measure OF I'M
munity a. If the attempt 10 resist or
escape had not been made.
Meanwhile. if any American citizen
IS injured during the attack by sub
marine on a merchant ship which does
not and has no intention OF using its
armament otherwise than defensiVeiy
q grave situation will arise.
The United States stands at ms
time. as II has always done. for the
night OF the American citizens 70 travel
with safety or dcfensiyely armed ships
II the German contentious are sus-
tanned, however, and IL is proved con
clugiyely that ship upon which an
American may be injured used defensive
armament for purposes OF offence, II Is
considered unlikely that this govern
ment will take any action.