The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-17
GERMANY UNWILLING
TO AGREE TO IMMUNITY
The Question of What Con-
stitutes Defensive Arma-
ment May Be Considered
Later, According to Sug-
gestion of United States
Government

Washington, ID. c., Feb Secretary
of State Lansing to-day accepted the
ILusitana agreement as acceptable to the
United States in so far as it relates to
that case but asked Count Won Bern
storff, the German ambassador, for as
surances that Germany viii not carry
out its policy of sinking merchant ships
without warning TO the liners even il
they carry defensive armament. the ques-
tion Of what constitutes defensive arma-
ment to be determined later in a way
not yet agreed upon.
II was suggested that the United
States may propose that guns mounted
on the stern OF ships aud capable of be-
ing swung from Is to 30 degrees in 9th
er direction might come within that
class.
1t was atated authoritatively that Ger
many, because of its unusual position,
cannot and viii not accept the sugges
tion Of the United States as ii now
stands, that liners carrying guns shall
be immune from attack under previous
assurances.
Count Won Bernstorff told Secretary
Lansing yesterday it was his personal
opinion that in the new submarine cam
paign his government intended to abide
by its promise not 10 sink unresisting
''liners" without warning, given in the
Arabic case and referred to in the LIsi |
tania agreement. Mr.. Lansing informed |
the ambassador that such a declaration |
from his government would be highly de-
sirable.
The ambassador suggested the possi
bility of postponing the effective date OF
the new submarine campaign if it would
give time for negotiations to clarity the
confused situation but the secretary did
not commit himself.
This is the situation now.
AS a result of the correspondence in the
4usitania and Arabic cases the United
States had rested secure in the belief
hat the future conduct Of submarine
warfare on humane lines and in accord
nee with the established principles of in
ernational law, modified somewhat by !
he new conditions developed during the :
var, had been assured. The state de- {
artment had been proceeding lately on !
he theory that all that was necessary !
o be done in the Lusitania case was Z
o cover the past; not the future.
Now the Austro- German notice of in 1.
ention TO sink armed merchantmen ap-
arently is regarded as having destroyed !,
hat assurance, and it is deemed useless !,
D try to adjust past issue while the 7
lture is left open with the almost GER 4
lin assurance of new incidents arising 4
nat may lead to the most serious re- !,
llts. !,
The international political situation in a.
ermany is regarded here as making the
tuation grave. because the Won Tirpitz 8,
ement is understood TO be re-asserting ~
self with considerable effect and the 4,
ibject requires delicate handling be- n
Iuse an upset of the Won Bethmam- n
ollweg administration would be regard r.
as unfavorabfe in its effect. A
What form the next step in the nego- -
ations will be is not disclosed, but there ~
e strong indications that the German =,
viii be asked TO assure the -
nited States that merchant ships armed +
r defensive purposes only viii be ex ,i
apt from unwarranted attack 90
From German sources came the state. =
ent that it was quite probable Berlin of
luld give such assurances, but that in al
ing so it would request information j.
to what the United States considers
fensiVe armament Extended negotia
ms may follow on that point.
State department officials said they
nsidered the situation where il was A
reral weeks ago, when it was described
grave Diplomatic correspondence viii
ltinue with Austria as well as with
rmany. Austria has given assurances Fo
the Ancona case, which this govern on on
mt has no intention of relinquishing. W.
The United States viii, OF course, con- PEI
ne its efforts to induce the entente AN
es 10 disarm their merchantmen and PEI
the event Of their refusing the state hel
artment probably will further limit "a
character Of armament which it con- Ut
ars defensive In that event arma- Joi
nj above the set limit would cause r.
Ds having it aboard to be considered hn
-ships and treated accordingly in Elu
erican ports. ~ ! ~