New-York tribune., 1916-02-01
Lansing Rules Would
Make U-BOat War I'M
possible, Some Say.
AMERICAN NOTE
DELIGHTS OTHERS
Means Severe Blow at Britain.
They DecIare-To Which
London Agrees.

Berlin. Jan. 31.-The morning news
papers Of Berlin to-day discuss at
length Secretary Lansing's circular
note to the bellieerent powers on sub
marine warfare and the arming Of mer-
chantmen. The general tenor OF the
comment, especially that in the con-
servative organs, is unfavorable.
"The note could just as well have
been signed by Sir Edward Grey as
by Secretary Lansing" says the Tag
liche Rundschau." 80 carefully is
everything unpleasant or uncomfort
bio for the British avoided, so exclu-
sively Ia every restriction proposed
therein directed toward rendering sub
marine warfare impossible"
The conservative organs express the
opinion that Secretary Lansinrs pro-
posals are calculated to wrest from
Germany's hands all advantages OBJ
tanned by the use of submarines, and
from this standpoint pronounce them
unacceptable TO Germany.
Sees u. S. Prejudice.
The "Kreuz Zeitung." under the head
ing. Unacceptable" speaks Of the note
as renewed evidence Of Americas one
sided attitude against US" 1t adds:
Secretary Lansing places a protect
ing hand purpOsely and consciously
over England's supremacy at sea and
her humane purpose 20 starve Ger
many"
This newspaper indorscs the view OF
Herr Won Stengel, the international
law specialist that Germany has no in
tcrest in negotiations regarding inter
national agreement for obtaining free
dom Of the seas. "inasmuch as such
negotiations are used by England in
alliance with America only for wrestling
the submarine weapon from Germany 3
hands"
The "Kreuz Zeitung" and other news
papers insist that the form of warfare
evidently contemplated by Secretary
Lansing might be prosecuted by cruis-
ers. but that under existing circum-
stances it is impossible for submarines
TO warn merchantmen before torpedo
ing them, since the undersea boats
would expose themselves 10 the danger
Of being rammed or destroyed by artil-
lery.
George Bernhard, the political writer,
says in the "Nossische Zcitung" that
two instances were brought 10 light
yesterday which furnish arguments
against Secretary Lansing's plans an
order issued by the French Admiralty
fer the arming Of merchantmen, which
have been instructed 70 ram submar-
ines. and the Melanie affair. The
"Tages Zeitung" and other newspapers
dwell on the Melanie incident, saying
i emphasizes the results 10 which Sec
Ietary Lansing's proposals would lead
for German submarines.
Predicts Agreement.
The only favorable note is struck by
Herr Bernhard, who. basing his re
marks on a later New York dispatch
elucidating the suggestion Of the
United States, says that y Washington
has reached the conclusion that Ger
man submarines are not required TO
expose themselves unnecessarily 90
danger. q complete agreement between
Germany and the United states snoul
not be difficult, respectfully as MI
Lansing's present conception SHOWS
more than formerly. an effort TO com
prehend Gormany's attitude.
The "Berllncr Leltung declares ,Ha'
the news that the note is designed "a
forbid the arming Of merchant Vessels
IS Of a Joyous kind, as it is a severe
blow to England The newspaper un-
derstands that it is proposed that
merchantman carrying gun is now tc
be regarded as warshlp, and points
out that warships have the night to re-
main in a neutral port only twenty
four hours far less than the necessary
time to unload or load vessel. 1t
adds:
The strict carrying out Of Secre-
tary Lansing's proposals would GER
tSin1v he in accordance with interna-
tjonal law. II has long been clear to
every sane thinker that in war time
an armed mcrchantman is no longer to
be considered a peaceful vessel, but
We certainly would greet it with salts
faction if Mr Lansing were 10 put ms
announcement into effect"