The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-28
Copy OF ..Sccret Ordera.'.

The second batch of evidence which the
Ambassador is directed to lay before Mr..
Lansing contains the copy of the secret
orders and supplementary instructions
alleged by Germany TO have been issued
recently to all armed British merchant
men to use their defensive armament
Extensively against German AMI Austrian
submarines.
The full data for this evidence had
not been received at the embassy up to
"A late hour tonight. though IL had been
! coming IN piecemeal all day. For
that reason Il Mas impossible to state
definitely whether the Ambassador would
seek an interview with Secretary Lansing
to-day.
Although the instructions show that
Germany IL unalterably opposed 10 any
restriction of her new submarine cam
pai2u In the light OF the proof which Il
/ claims to have concerning the Offensive
use OF defensive armament by enemy
merchant vessels. Il IL understood they
are sufficiently broad to enable Ambis-
s,dor Won BernstorT 10 suggest to Mr.
Lansing that Germany might modify her
new campaign II the Entente Powers
would give solemn guarantees to the
United States tina the defensive arma-
ment on their ships would never be used
Extensively.
Meantime. 4, is understood. Count Won
BernsioiT is directed 10 urge upon the
United States the ACCESSIBILITY OF warm
ing Americans TO keep OF armsn rner-
chantmen OF the belligerent countries.
In support OF this suggestion he Is eN-
pected to call attention to the fact that
the British Government in the RUSSO
Japanese war took this prccaution.
though not necessarily admitting that
their citizens had nc right to travel on
suC' vessels.
Moreover. the Ambassador is expected
20 call Mr.. i.ansing's attention TO Inc
fact that inasmuch as Great Britain. by
agreement with the United states. does
not arm any OF me- vessels plying be-
tween the United States any! other parts
of the world ana as The French steamers
on these same courses are not armed the
chances % American lives being de-
stroy,d under the new German decree
aye extremely slight.
Great Britain, the Ambassador prob
ably VIII insist. makes NO effort to deny
that her m~c-c!an,m.u armed FOR de-
fence arc expected to attack submarines
on sight Not only Is this shown. lie
would say. hy the Admiralty orders hu'
IN the fire." expressions constantly appear
ing I'm the news and editorial columns o'
III" London press. lis !nstrl t'cns. 1t IS
believed. call particular attention T." ar
,Icl.s recent, printed IN the London
Times and London Telegraph.
IL German quarters to-nigh. there ~
no disposition 10 regard the situation as
critical. Unless Americans are actually
killed under the new decree II is not ne
l!.ved that the United States will make
trouble over The question O. defensive
armament.
Germany. It = said. has every iuteu'
ton Of liNing up 10 It's assurances re-
garding uuarmed ships and German sun
marine commanders Will prefer To lei
ten armed ships esc,p" them than 70
sink oS- uuarmed vessel without warn
ing No attempt is made. II f. under
stood. either I'm the memo from Berlin
or IN embassy quarters to slo" no" me
submarines are go.ug 20 be able 10 d!S'
,!nguish between armed and unarined
ships.