New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-23
Will Propose to Dis
cuss Armed Ship
Issue with u. s.
CONGRESS- MAY
WARN AMERICANS
Sentiment in Favor OF
Ayerting New Crisis with
Germany Widespread.

Washington. Feb. 22.-Pr0pOsals
"a discuss a definition Of defensive
armament as applied 20 merchant
ships arc expected from Germany
within a few days. Ambassador Won
Bernstorf returned TO Washington
today and indicated that he eX-
,scted a communication from his
government dealing with the situa-
ton.
The Lusitania case, it is under
stood. Will be sidetracked while Sec
p.sry Lansing and the ambassador
jsbate technical questions raised by
cermany's declaration that armed
rsrchantmen would be sunk without
raining after February 29-one
week hence.
It is Germsny's belief that if the
President can be drawn into con-
.roversv over the tcchuicalities of the
armed ship question the sinking Of
mch a vessel will not put her hope
e.sly IN the wrong. Germany hopes
s-to man9uvre the controversy thai
Then news Of the torpedoing comes
10 first question among the Ameri-
an people will not be, what is the
President going 70 DO to avenge 1t?
but. was the ship armed extensively
defensively?
Experience with the Lusitania con
roversy has shown Germany that as
.oon as technical and legal compli-
cations enter. every consideration Of
Justice and right goes out. If the
United States can be drawn into a
controversy all danger Of summary
action will be past.
Discussion TO Bar Satisfaction.
!. is therefore apparent that Il Sec
r,tary Lansing consents TO discuss the
rev German decree not only Is all
danger Of a "crisis" eliminated, but all
chance Of real satisfaction from Ger
many is dissipated as well
Tie German contention will - that
there can be- 10 such thing ss de
iensive" armament against submarines;
that any piece larger than rihe
would make 10 impossible for sub
usrine 20 warn merchantmen, and
hat, therefore. 10 can only be assumed
that enemy vessels which carry arma-
nen' do so for tho purpose Of attack
ing submarines extensively.
Secretary Lansing holds ths' the
right 70 ann FOR defence is guaranteed
by International law. lie is not sure,
however, just where 10 draw the line
between offensive and defensive arma-
uent
Unless, therefore, Germany agrees 20
emlt that armament may, in certain
conditions, be carried on merchantmen,
ne two governments are without a
common ground on which to begin
their argument.
The right o. individual shipmssters
70 protect themselves. while civilians
~ land arc forbidden 10 offer resist
shee TO an enemy, grows out Of the
'he'ence between the law Of seizure
VI private property on land and the
NV that pertains at sea. On land an
'asmy may not seize private property
Without indemnifying the owners. At
"a private property is always subject
" seizure without payment, and pri-
's'e individuals arc therefore entitled
% defend themselves. taking the status
" eomba'ants in SO doing
Question of Guns Range.
" has been held in international law
s' defensive guns must be mounted
Nfih, the understanding being that
,! are 10 be used during flight TO
sVeht pursuit. In the case of sub
s.s,'I,he' however. one shot might prove
81 ana this fact. Secretary Lansing
~'neves, makes it questionable whether
ehantmen may now carry guns hay-
range longer than the greatest
ssehce al which a submarine could
On vessel effectively.
Germsny has never admitted the
se.5 OF merchant ships TO arm even
AZ, w ceience. She has maintained that
m. armament at all gave the ship
Character o. belligerent. II is
t.sled that Germanys first Lusi-
~ note alleged that the Lusitania
armed, the inference being that
rrs she was not entitled TO the i'm
Tues granted merchant ships.
Ns herman assurances given after
M, sinking of the Arabic, that
WIS would not be sunk without
bs,an'hg and the safety Of non-com-
), 80 is held in German quarters to
rsnmaapglicable 70 armed vessels Ger
0s,5 never intended, il is declared. to
kP. armed ships from attack.
Con-. canvass Of both houses Of
s''Ss to-day revealed sentiment
continued on PAGE 3. column 1