New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-29
Asks Allies Not to
Arm Ships, TeutOnS
TO Guard Life.
MAY INTERN
ARMED VESSELS
United States Acting in
Interest Of Humanity,
Says Washington.

From TIE Tribune Buresu
Washington, Jan. In the interest
of humanity, the United States has
suggested to all the belligerent coun-
tries that they subscribe to a declara-
tion of principles governing attacks
on merchant vessels and forbddlng
the arming Of such vessels. The move
is an effort to establish in international
law a general policy disposing OF many
of the vexatious problems arising from
the development OF submarine warfare
Identical notes have gone forward
asking the various countries at war 70
say specifically whether they are will
ing 20 join in such an agreement. The
declaration Of principles would pro-
vide:
First 4 non-combatant has the right
to traverse the high seas in a merchant
ship entitled to fly bel!igerent flag
and rely upon the rules Of interns-
tional law and the principles Of hu-
manity if the vessel is approached by
a belligerent war vessel.
Must Give Warming.
Second \ merchant vessel OF any
nationality should not be subject to
attack until the bellgerent warship
has warned her to stop.
Third Any belligerent owned mer-
chant vessel should promptly obey any
order from belligerent warship to
stop.
Fourth No such merchant vessel
should be ired upon unless she tries
to fee or TO resist by force, and even
in such ease any attack upon her by
the varship must stop as soon as the
high, or resistance ceases.
Firth Only in case it should be I'M
possible IA military reasons for the
warship to supply a prize crew or to
convoy the merchant shin INTO port will
sne be justified ia sinking such mer-
chantman. and in that case passengers
and crew must be removed to place
of safety.
All the Entente governments Of mari
time importance have been asked to
agree 20 keep mounted armament Of ali
kinds off their merchant ships, with a
view 10 creating a modus viyendi ac-
cording to which submarine warfare
can be conducted with minimum risk
to non-combatants The State Depart
meut believes that If the Allies consent
TO this arrangement there VIII be no
difficulty in persuading Germany and
Austria 10 follow the rules OF lnterna-
tional law i'm their submarine opera
tions.
See Some Opposition.
II IS generally believed here in dip
lomatic circles that the British, French
and Italian governments viii demur TO
this. To acquiesce in such an agree
ment, it is pointed out, wouSi certainly
have the effect of establishing new IN
ternational law, whether so intended
or not. II the American offer IS re-
iectcd, therefore. the State Depart
ment will again be face 10 face with
the problem Of the status OF armed
vessels.
In that case it is believed Secretary
Lansing will come out squarely and
announce that passengers on armed
ships will forfeit their right to pro
lection from this government. lie -
anxious to avoid this issue. and the
present proposal for modus vivendI
is his last hope OF disposlng or IT IN
on-committal way.
DPGn
asked 10 give formal assurances that
the guns on the steamers Verona and
America. now preparing TO sail, VIII
not be used to attack submarines ~nich
NAV attempt to give warning. Ihls
procedure was followed IN the recent
case of the Giuseppe Verdi. which was
permitted 70 sail only after the as
surances were given. Although the
State Department insists that no prece :
dent is being created, II Is admitted
that the constant arrival or armed
Italian ships makes II necessary TO
reach a conclusion on the principle 20
be applied 20 them.
Conditions Changed.
Secretary Lansing believes that arm
ament which might have been de-
scribed as defensive" before the ad-
.
fare has now taken on an offensive
character by reason Of the vulnerable
nature Of the submarine. Under the
old rule, which has been followed up to
this time. vessels were allowed 70 carry
guns up 10 s inches IN bore. The Sec
retary believes that One-pOund rapid
fire gun might now be as valuable a
weapon for offence as a l0-inch gun
before the Introduction Of submarine 3
and that with these changed conditions
should come change in the lnterna-
tional custom.
officials pointed out tonight that
should any OF the belligerents fail to
agree with the proposals the United
States would have no difficulty in en-
forcing the principle so far as con-
cerned vessels entering American ports.
The note itself voices a warning that
this government is considering adop-
tion of policy under which all armed
merchantmen that enter ports Of the
United States in future shall be con-
sidered war vessels. subject to the
established regulations governing IN
ternment.