Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-29
Note Presented to Lansing De-
cIareS Assurances Given in
Lusitania Case Have Not
Been Modified.
AMERICAN POSITION
is AGAIN MADE CLEAR
Distinctions Drawn Between
Ships Armed for Defensive
Purposes and Those Carry
ing Guns for 0ffense,

Washington. Feb. 2S.--Germany in
formal note presented by Count Won
licrnstorff 20 Secretary Lansing to-
day, reiterated assurances regarding
the future conduct of submarine war;
fare given in the Lusitania ensc. de-
clarcs those assurances have not been
modified by the memorandum setting
forth its intention to treat armed
merchantmen of the entente allies as
auxiliary cruisers after midnight to-
morrow, aud attempts to Justify the
Issuance of the memorandum by pre-
sonting evidence and assertions de-
signed to prove that the British gov
crnment has instructed merchantmen
to use their armament for purposes
of attack in violation Of assurances
given to the United states.
Later it was said at the state de-
partment that while the United states
stood ualterably for the right of mer-
chant ships To carry guns for defense,
il was not now and never has been
contended that Americans travel with
immunity on ships having orders TO
act Extensively 1t was indicated that
although Secretary Lansing was not
prepared at this time TO accept as con-
elusive the allegations of Germany In
IfEAlu 10 tlt NNlllh'Hliii ilHNi hN'i'lt
claimed TO have been given to their
sea captains, that IL the claims We're
sustained. the fact would have an inn
portant bearing upon the attitude Of
this government. II is felt in high Of
ficial quarters that the question of
motive Is the cardinal consideration
in determining the difference between
defensive and offensive armament.
British Copy Not Arrived.
4 copy of the so-called British In
structions which were handed to Am
bassador Gerard In Berlin and which
are construed by Secretary Lansing
to he the all-mportant element IN the
situation as ii stands at present. hav"
not yet arrived. Pending their receipt
and a subsequent decision regarding
the attitude of the United States, the
state department. is prepared to con-
slider any overt act committed by the
commanders of German and Austrian
submarine in the light Of fact II was
authoritatively stated that the state
department probably would not act
upon the ease of an American who
sustained injuries aboard vessel
which II could be definitely establish
ed was to be extensively used.
The state department makes n
broad distinction between resistance
and offcnse. II holds that merch-
ant ship hns u right to resist capture
but not TO act extensively OF course,
IL Is admitted, a vessel loses all inn
munity while In the act Of resisting
Authoritative information obtained
here tonight indicated that British
government would combat the alle-
81 IeftttNh ching
ostensibly armed for defense are in
reality armed for offensive purposes
II was said that British masters had
not been Instructed to hunt for sub
marines. that on the contrary they
had been told to do everything pos
sble to avoid the craft, and that only
in the event of a hostile submarine
approaching without warning near
enough to us bombs or torpedocs were
The shippers authorized to use their
guns
STATE Department Iicassurcd.
All things considered. the state de-
pertinent Is understood to feel that
the possibility Is more or less remote
of difficulties arising In the near ft-
ture as "a result Of the new German
and Austrian policy. In the first
place officials believe that command
crs Of German ana Austrian subma-
Tincs viii take particular care not 10
attack without warning armed mer-
chant vessels upon which there may
be Americans. This belief is strength
encd by the declaration in the Ger
man note received today, which wus
acquiesced In by Austrian through
Baron Zwiedinek. charge Of the EN-
bassy Mere that the orders issued 10
The naval commanders We're so form
ulated as to prevent the destruction
Of enemy liners "on account Of their
unless such armament is
proved.
In the note presented by Count Won
several references are
made 90 declarations Of the United
states IN previous correspondence in
he Lusitania case. There were strong
today that administration
officials are inclined to resent the (.
repetition Of certain expressions and
'efercnces without the text in which
hes appeared holding that in doing ,
% he German government has given /
/ false impression Of the attitude nf .
his government II WAS even suc Z
sested that should the United States
'eply to the communication presented I
hNdN II may NNkt b'idHipll 10 phliA Z
mt the erroneous construction placed I
ipon several of these expressions.
The communication from Germany
viii be- considered by Prcsi-
lent Wilson and his cabinet tomor-
ow and official indication regarding
t is expected soon thereafter
M precedent Intended.
In regard to reference made in the
lote to permitting Italian ships to sail
rom American ports il was said AT
he state department that II should
,e clearly understood that pledges
we're required to meet special cases {
IS they arose and that II was not in
ended 10 establish a precedent or lay \
own Il rule. Officials also declared 5
mphatically that Germany had not {
cen asked 10 postpone or change the