South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-08
Great Britain Expected to De-
liver Agreement to u. S.
Not to Arm Any of her
Merchant Vessels.
GERMANY GIVES FULL
EXPLANATION OF ORDERS
Ambassador Tells Lansing
Details of New Sub-Sea
Warfare Plans and
Gives Reasons.
Internotiono! News Service:

WASHINGTON, March s.-That
an agreement will speedily be reach
ed which will preserve all the rights
OF the United States under interna-
tionai law and at the same time end
the so-called submarine controversy,
was broadly limited in official quar-
tiers today IL was stated that Great
Britain will. within the next few
days, deliver TO this government, her
promise that none of her vessels
traversing the Atlantic will be arm
ed. only such vessels as traverse
the Mediterranean viii carry guns
and they will be specifically pledged
to use such armament only in de-
tense.
At the same time Germany placed
before the United States a detailed
explanation of the reasons which
constrained her TO order armed
merchantmen sunk without warning.
Here's Text of Memorandum.
Following is the text of the memo
randum handed Sec'y Lansing by
Count Won Bernstorff:
The imperial German govern
ment. on account of the friendly re-
lations which have always existed
between the two great nations, and
earnestly desiring TO continue them.
wishes 10 explain the L boat ques-
tiOn once more 10 the American gov
eminent.
AT the outbreak of the war the
German government, acting upon
the suggestion of the United States,
immediately expressed its readiness
to ratify the declaration OF London.
At that time a German prize code
had already been issued, which was
entirely-and without modification
based upon the rules of the dec
laration OF London. Germany there
by proved her willingness to recOg-
nize fully the existing rules of in
ternatiOnal law which insure the
freedom of the sea for the legitimate
trade Of neutral nations, not only
among themselves. but also with
belligerent countries.
Great Britain, on the other hand.
declined TO ratify the declaration Of
London. and after the outbreak Of
the war began to restrict the legiti-
mate trade of the neutrals in order
TO hit Germany. The contra band
provisions were systematically ex-
tended on Aug. ,. 20. Sept. p. and
oct. %. 1914. On Nov. 3, 1914, the
order of the British admiralty fol-
lowed declaring the whole North sea
a war zone in which commercial
shipping would be exposed 10 most
serious danger from mines and men
of war. Protests from neutrals were
of no avail and from that time on
the freedom OF neutral commerce
with Germany was practically de-
strOyed. Under these circumstances
Germany was compelled TO resort,
in February. 1915. to reprisals in
order to fight her opponents meas
ures. which were absolutely contrary
TO international law. She chose for
this purpose a new weapon. the use
of which had not been regulated by
international law, and in doing SO,
could and did not violate existing
rules. but only took into account the
peculiarly of this new weapon, the
submarine boat.
Danger for NeutralS.
The use of the submarine natu-
rally necessitated a restriction OF the
free movements of the neutrals and
constituted a danger for them which
Germany intends TO ward off by
special warning analogous TO the
warning England had given regard
ing the North sea.
Both as ligerents-Germany
in her note Of Feb. IL, and Great
Britain in those Of Feb. Is and 20.
1915, claimed that their proceeding
was only enacted in retaliation for
the violation of international law by
their opponents the American gov
eminent approached both parties for
the purpose Of trying 10 reestablish
international law as had been in
force before the war Germany was
asked 10 adapt the use of her new
weapon TO the rules which had been
existing for the former naval
weapons and England not 10 inter
fere with the food supplies intended
for the nOncom Blatant German pop
ulation and 10 admit their distribu-
ton under American supervision.
Germany. on March l.. 1915. de-
clared her willingness 10 comply
with the proposal Of the American
government whilst England, on the
other hand declined to do SO. BY
the order in council of March II.
1915. Great Britain abolished even
what remained of the freedom OF
neutral trade with Germany and her
CONTINUED ON PAGE TEN