Evening star., 1916-02-27
EXPRESSES STRONG HOPE
He WILL BE SUCCESSFUL
Authors of Resolutions of Warning
Believe Ends Have Been Gained
by Publicity.
EXPECT BERLIN TO MODIFY
State Department Thinks Germany
May Postpone Campaign Against
Armed Merchantmen and Discuss
Meaning of "Guns for Defense

Meaning of "Guns for Defense"
With only three days remain.
ing before the Austrian and Ger
man submarine commanders, I'm
der instructions. are to treat
armed" merchantmen as wal
vessels. Congress is watchfull>
waiting to see where the admins
trations policy toward the cen
tral powers will lead this country
Strong hope was expressed BY
the congressional leaders last
night that satisfactory adjust
ment OF the submarine issue
would be reached through diplo-
matte means, and that the Presi-
dent would be successful in his
firm stand upholding interna-
tional law. ..-....
Has Accomplished Purpose.
Last night Senator Gore of Oklahoma
author of resolution warning Ameri-
cans to keep off armed merchantmen
flying flags of belligerent nations, is
sued a statement to the effect that the
objects sought in his resolution had
been accomplished through public dis
Representative McLemore Of Texas,
who has similar resolution in the
House, announced that he was content
to wait until the President and Secre-
tary Lansing had an opportunity to
try out their policy.
But while members of the Senate and
House who are opposed to having this
now pending, the right of neutrais to
travel on armed merchantmen have
agreed to give the administration free
rein to effect through diplomatic means
an adjustment of the matter. the inn
preston was strong at the Capitol last
acquiesce in any steps which would lead
to war Senator Lewis OF Illinois, the
democratic whip of the Senate. re-
ported a canvass of the Senate showed
that the Gore resolution could not be
adopted 'at this time" But the reso-
luton is still pending in the Senate.
and should occasion warrant may be
called up.
Insists on Americans Safety.
Meanwhile the State Department is
awaiting further communications from
Germany in regard to the armed
merchantmen question. Secretary
Lansing indicated that under certain
circumstances the United States was
prepared to discuss with the German
government what may properly be re-
garded as defensive armament for
merchant vessels. In no event, however
will the United States be party to
such negotiations. II was said. unless
it is assured that American lives will
not be endangered during the course
OF the discussion.
Although il was admitted that post
ponement of the operation of the or
der Of the German admiralty to treat
armed merchantmen as war vessels
would not come surprise, there
was no indica ton last night that such
a postponement would materialize.
1t was indicated at the State Depart.
ment yesterday that Germany by recent
acts had shown a disposition to change
her original position in regard to the
right of merchant ships to carry de.
fensive armament. Originally the Ber-
lin government denied that it was le-
gal for merchant ships to arm at all
Now some officials here consider tina,
Germany appears willing to admit tina,
armament is legal II purely defensive
In other words, 1t is believed the Ger
man government actually Is attempt.
ing to change the rules rather than the
law.
Way Open for Discussion.
Should the subject be opened up TO,
discussion the State Department may
it was said. be willing to admit thai
there should be some regulation re.
Rarding the size and use of defensive
armament, supplementary to the in.
structions to port authorities ISSUED
September 9. 1915. which permit mer.
chant ships to clear from American
ports provided they are carrying nc
more than TWO guns. mounted aft. O,
not more than six-inch ca1iber. AS a
matter of fact, no merchant ships eve,
have come into American waters witt
the maximum of armament provided
for. Indications that this question
would be opened for discussion re.
suited from publication of confidentia
advices from Berlin. which forecast g
request from Germany to the Unitee
States to define defensive armament.
State Department officials were EN-
phatic In saying that while addftiona
limitations might be placed upon tn,
defensive armament that may be car.
ried such action could. not be extended
to require the complete exclusion O.
armament. That would be equivalent
1t is held. to a change of internationa
law which cannot be made during tn,
course of hostilities, except by genera
assent. There are strong intimation,
that the entente allies will not consen
to such a change ~
BY recessing last evening instead o.
adjourning the Senate reflected the de
| termination of it's leaders to preven
| by parliamentary tactics any discussion
Of the Gore resolution. Senator Gore
/ ~