Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-13
ALLIES READY TO
PROTEST CHANGE
Entente Will object Vigorously IL
Republic Agrees that All Armed
Ships Are War Craft.
THREAT OF BLACKLIST LOOMS

acter soon Will confront the United
States as result Of the expected in
tention OF the German and Austrian
governments to treat armed mer-
chant ships OF the entente allies as
war vessels after February 20.
Apparently II is certain. IL the tenn
per Of the allied governments can be
Judged by the feelings Of their diplo-
matte representatives here, that any
attempt by the United States TO
change the present rule permitting
the use OF American ports by mer-
chant ships armed for defensive pur-
poses will be met by a strong protest.
Correspondence also is likely to fol-
low II the United States assumes
position which comedies with that OF
Germany and Austria regarding the
right Of submarines TO sink armed
ships without warning.
On the other hand the United States
itself may take the Initiative should the
entente allies establish boycott on
American ports in the event OF this gov
eminent deciding that armed merchant
ships entering American waters are ships
Of war, therefore subject 10 internment.
U. =. May Take Lead.
The definite attitude OF the United
Etates toward the stated intention OF Ger
many and Austria viii be determined
after the formal texta Of the notes which
have been handed 10 Ambassador Gerard
and Ambassador Penfield are received
from Vienna. When the texts are before
officials here II Is believed the position
Of this government quickly will be de-
fined. Only eighteen days remains before
German and Austrian submarine COM
manders will start 70 put their new in
struetions into operation.
Cali ~ Unneutral.
The view Of at least some OF the repre-
sentatives Of tho entente allies here Il
that any change made IN the rule bearinf
on submarine warfare during the war
would be an unneutrai act. The govern
ments are represented as not being pre
pared TO admit that there has been am
change IN the conditions OF naval war
fare which would warrant merchant ships
armed for defensive purposes being char
acterizcd as warships
In Tcutonic quarters however. Il Is
contended that merchant ships armed for
defensive purposes are really armed for
resistance aud that merchant ships havs
no right 20 resist. Moreover. Il 10 elaine 1
by Germany that Il Is impossible to ad-
here TO the principle Of warning merchant
ships in accordance with the Views Of the
United States should they be armed: y
single shell OF small callofe being sur
ficient TO sink any submarine which
might attempt 70 warn such a vessel. IL
Is admitted submarines have a right e.
stop enemy armed merchantmen.
Conteations Well Founded.
American officials seem inclined to The
view that the contentious OF the German
and Austria governments are well
founded and from several quarters today
came the information that the United
states might warn its nationals 70 remain
OF merchant ships that are armed. This.
Il was said IN German circles. was pre-
ciseiy what the German and Austrian
governments have been aiming 70 aehlevc.
The possibility OF the entente allies
putting into effect a practical boycott OF
American ports was widely discussed IN
official circles during the day. II has
been intsinated that the allies might see
nj 70 permit only a sufficient number OF
their pnnrned shipa 20 enter American
ports TO take away merchandise and
goods consigned 70 themselves. II was
admitted in high official quarters that
should such plan be put into effect
action Of some kind might have to be
taken.
win ne Rejected.
Information obtained from persons IN
position to be familiar with the affairs
~ the entente allies Is 70 the effect that
the suggestions Of the United States IN
its recent circular memorandum regard
ing the disarming Of merchantmkn will
be not answered favorably. II Is con.
tended that such suggestions lack reg
uiarlty and the governments are repre-
scented a. Telling satisfied that the Ger
manic powers cannot be confined under
the terms OF the memorandum 10 un-
warned attacks upon armed merchant.
men, II was insisted IN one quarter that
the notice OF the German and Austrian
governments was Intended 20 mask In
discriminate and wholesale attacks by
Submarines.
Information reaching here in press dis
patches Il 70 the effect that officials OF
the German government consider tina,
their move 4 a development OF the sne-
sessions Of the United States. II was
pointed out that this government In con
trovetsiea ever the conduct OF submarine
warfare has mentioned 'unarmed mer-
chant ships" Such references fret was
made In the Lusltanla case
wan Take some Action.
II r. said IN diplomatic quarters today
that should the United States definitel,
alter is position in favor Of the vieus
Of Germany ana Austria. as embodied
IN the forthcoming notes. that II viii b
neoeasary for the foreign offices 60 Inn
naediatsly, By conference OF nozotiatlonl
or some Kind. form policy 10 be FOL
loWad
Il vas learned that consideration al
ready has BEEN given BY the diplomat,
representing the allies to the feasibllit,
Of diverting the major portion OF trans
Atlantic commerce OF their countries
from the North Atlantic ports OF ia,
United States 10 Canadian ports l. hai
been pointed out. however. that such
a move could not wcN affect vessels car
iying cotton and OF from ports IN IN,
southern part Of the United states
Certain diplomats OF the entente allie
also are eonsiderins plan 10 disarn
merchant slips. especially Tor entry int
American waters. with the Assistance o