New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-09
Admits There Is No
Code Providing for
Use of Submarines.
SAYS BLOCKADE
is UNLAWFUL
BernStOrff Gets Lansing'S
Permission to Publish
German Plea.
From The Tribune Bureau.

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, March S.-Berlin to-
day told President Wilson that Ger
many was willing TO operate its SUBJ
marines in accordance with interla-
tional law prevailing prior to the
war on condition that Great Britain
and her allies did not violate the
same law.
The new proposal was contained
in a memorandum handed by Count
Won Bernstorff TO Secretary Lansing.
After reviewing the events leading
up to Geruany's recent decision TO
treat armed merchant ships as aux
iliary cruisers, it conceded that exist
ing international law does not regu-
late the use of submarines. II eX-
pressed the hope that the people OF
the United States, remembering the
long existing friendly relations be-
tween the two nations, would appre-
cate the German position.
The memorandum was submitted
20 President Wilson soon after its re-
ceipt. 1t will be considered, togethes
with other documents from the Ger
man government, in determining
what shall be the next step of the
United States in the submarine nego-.
tiations.
United States In No Hurry.
There was every indication that
tho Administration would be in mo-
hurry 10 announce a stand as 10 the
new policy Of the Central European
powers or to pass finally upon Ger
many's latest proposal for a settle
ment of the Lusitania case.
From both the White House snh
the State Department there came
during the day emphatic deniab O.
a rumor that the Administration ,t-
self intended to warn American ciu-
zens off armed ships. AT the State
Department it was explained that
il was for the citizens themselves.
who took passage on armed ships not
entering American waters, to deter
nine whether they were boarding
vessels armed defensively or often
sively and the nature of the instruc-
tions under which ship captains
would act in the presence Of sub
marine.
An extensively armed ship which
enters American waters. II vas ssic'
would be regarded as war vessel, and
would not be allowed 20 remain more
than twenty-four hours. IN foreign
waters. however. it is no concern o.
this government how ships are armed.
Immediately after presetins the mem
orandum Count Won Bernstorf asked
permission TO give it to the press. Sec
retary Lansing made no objection.
Appeal to People.
Great surprise was expressed tns'
the German Ambassador should appeal
20 the American people against the
Judgment OF the State Department.
That such 9-as the intention, IL IS be
lieved. is shown b. the closing para
graph o. the document. which reads;
"The imperial government feels con
fdent that the peopie Of the Iniied
States. remembering the friendly ieis-
,ions that for the last one hundred
vears have existed between the two ma
lions will. in spite Of the difficulties
nut into the way by our enemies, sp,,
preciate the German viewpoint as isid
down above
Only once before has Count Won
Rernstorf issued direct public appeal
20 the American people; namely, IN the
newspaper advertisement he published
inst before the sinking OF the Lusi-
tania warning American citizens
against travelling on belligerent ships,
The advertisement was characterized
in the American note Of May IL, lylo'
as "surprising irregulsrity." To-
davis communication is regarded ss
having much the same character
No Acts Yet Under New Order.
The new submarine camapign OF tno
Central Powers has now been IN opera
tion eight days, and up to io-night ,ne
state Department had no reports oil Az!
act bv A German or Austrian suomsrlns
commander under the changed oroets'
state Department officials make no
cret Of the fact that they 90 not DC
licye any acts will be eommitted
they can be avoided which NH ln'oaN'
the death or injury OF American e'''
zcns. ,.,.f. .,d
consular agents will be instructed 20
laep the state Department inioihen
as 20 Germany's conduct OF submarine
warfare. particularly With respect /"
armed merchantmen. The Sts,c PC
rartment will ask that all available IN
formation concerning submarine a.,
tacks be forwarded, regardless o,
whether American lives arc imper'he'
or not. =,
The objec. Of the dcpAtmeent Is 10
,est Germanys good fsit, TX ~ sp-
nesrs that German submsr YES are at