Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-29
PRESIDENT AWAITS
DATA FROM BERLIN
Discusses German CommunI-
cation With Members OF
the Cabinet.
NO CONCLUSION REACHED
AFTER LONG DISCUSSION
Acceptability of Teuton Propositions,
as Outlined by Envoy, Is Care
fully Avoided in Talk.

Germany latest communica-
ton on submarine warfare was
discussed in detail at today $
cabinet meeting and at separate
conference between President
| Wilson and Secretary Lansing,
but no conclusion was reached.
1t was decided to await data on
the way from Berlin regarding
instructions alleged to have been
issued bv the British admiralty to
merchant captains for attacks on
submarines.
! Cabinet members carefully avoided
| ton as outlined by Count Won Berns-
torff in a note to Secretary Lansing
! can government. 1t was said that mere
ly the facts were laid before the cab
| ~
| arrive at a decision.
| 1t was reiterated. however, that the
! United States would continue to stand
| firmly behind it's position that attacks
should not be made on merchantmen
unarmed or armed for defensive pur-
poses, and would hold Germany ac-
! countabIe il that position is not OBJ
| served The chief danger was said by
| officials to lie in a possible attack on
| ship carrying Americans.
| Refuses to Discuss Memorandum.
Secretary Lansing took with him to
i the White House a pouch understood to
contain the German memorandum and
other papers relating to the case. The
Secretary said there was no justification
for statements purporting to give the
| views of the State Department on the
situation. He refused to indicate whether
the situation appeared more favorable or
less since the receipt OF the German
memorandum.
1t was indicated in well informed
quarters that the President would in
sist on strict Interpretation of the
rules of international law as applying
to Germany's new submarine warfare.
Information forwarded from Berlin
purporting to contain proof that the
British admiralty had instructed cap
tains of armed merchant ships to at
| tack submarines had not arrived. Mr..
Lansing said. The delay was believed
to be due to conditions resulting from
| the war.
| Secretary Lansing's Statement.
! Secretary Lansing to,Iay isahed the
| following formal statement:
In view of the publication this
| morning of what purports to be the
view of the State Department on the
| communication received yesterday from
| the German ambassador l wish to say
that the contents of the communica-
| ton have not been made public by
me, and that any statement as to the
views of the State Department on the
communication are absolutely unau-
thoriZed.
! II have made no comment and ex-
pressed no opinion in regard to the
matter.
A statement pointing out that the
state Department had not made public
anything regarding the latest German
memorandum might be issued later, Mr..
Lansing said
Chairman Stone of the foreign rela-
Secretary Lansing today to learn the
exact status of the submarine issue for
the benefit of senators in view of the
recent attempt to get legislative action
| warning Americans against travelling
| on armed merchantmen of belligerents
Congress Is Reassured
| published today. seemed to have a re-
assuring effect in Congress. Chairman
| Flood Of the House foreign affairs COM
| mittee said the diplomatic situation
! seems to be in very satisfactory con-
| dition
| What is considered by Secretary
Lansing as the all-important element
| in the situation, as it now stands. is d
| copy of the so-called British instruc-
| lions to shipmasters to hunt for sub
marines. which have not arrived from
| Berlin. where they were handed to Am
| bassadcr Gerard. Pending their re-
| ceipt and a subsequent decision re-
parding the attitude OF the United
| States, the State Department is pre-
! pared to consider any overt act COM
| mitted by the Teutonic submarine COM
| manders in the light of the facts.
The department, it was said, would
not act upon the case of an American
who sustained injuries aboard a vessel
| which it could be definitely established
| carried guns for offensive purposes
| II was indicated in British diplo.
| matte circles that the allegations of
| Germany would be fatty denied. 1t
| was said that British masters had not
beev instructed to hunt subma rines ;
! that they had been told to avoid the
craft. and that only in event of sub
| marine approaching without warning
| were the shippers authorized to use
| their guns.
! The State Department is understood
! To feel that the possibility of difficul-
ties arising in the near future as a re-
sult of the new German and Austrian
| nolicy is somewhat remote. Officials
| believe that commanders of the under
sea boats will take particular care not
10 attack without warning armed mer-
! chant vessels upon which there may be
Americans
Two Italian Liners, Bearing
Guns for Their Own Defense,
Cleared From New York
/ The Italian. liners Giuseppe Verdi and
| San Guglielmo, at New York, with
mounted guns aboard, were ordered
| cleared today, on assurances from, the
| Italian government that their armament
] was for defensive purposes only.