The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-21
Bernstorf Blamed for I'M
preston Wilson Has
Changed Front
EVEN HINT
AT A RECALL
The Reported Annoyance In
wolves the Administrations
Stand on Armed Vessels

Washington, Feb. 2l,-lt was made
known officially here Saturday that Pres
ident Wilson and Secretary Lansing are
greatly irritated over what they regard
as improper activity on the part of the
| diplomatic representatives OF the Teuton-
ic powers in this country in connection
with the latest developments of the sub.
marine controversy.
TO say that there is any likelihood of
request for Ambassador Won Berns-
torff's recall on account OF these activi-
ties is going too far, but it is a fact that
such a danger might develop if the con-
duet TO which the administration objects
is persisted in.
The new difficulties between the Ger
man ambassador and the administration
arise out OF the impression that has gone
abroad that the United States has
changed front on the question of the i'm.
munity of armed merchantmen from at
tack without warning. President Will
son and Secretary Lansing are inclined
TO believe that the German ambassador
has sought TO influence the press reports
in regard TO the attitude of the United
States on this issue and there are evil
dences OF keen presentment.
IL was pointed out by one official that
some European governments have on oc.
casions handed their passports to diplo.
matte representatives who have attempt
ed to influence the press.
This was the nearest of a threat that
was heard Saturday in discussion of
the present objections to Teutonic sctiv.
tiles, On the other hand, it was made
plain that. nothing had yet occurred
which would lead to any action on the |
part OF this government unless the irri. |
tation was continued.
II is understood that the irritation az /
the administration has been caused chief
" by the impression that has gained .
ground that the United States adopted T
a definite stand in disarming of merchant
vessels and has reversed itself now that
public criticism Of the proposed changes
in international law has become severe.
The belief. OF some officials is that
Count Won Bernstorf has pronounced the
impression that the United States had
adopted definite policy on the question
1f disarmament.
Members of Congress who heard Sat
Irdsy night of the feeling toward the
German ambassador were inclined how
syer, to believe that the administration
vas now seeking to blame Won Berns-
.orff for the evil effects OF its own hand
ing OF the disarmament question
Those members of Congress insisted
hat there was ground for the belief In
he memorandum submitted by Secretary ,
4ansing to the entente powers that the
Jnited States had made up its mind to ,
his question,
They quoted particularly the final par /
graph of that memorandum which read ,
Il should add that my government is ,
with the reasona bleness of the
rgument that a merchantmen carrying f.,
rmament of any sort, in view of the /,
haracter of the stunbarine warfare and .
he defensive weakness of the undersea
raft should be held TO be an auxiliary
ruiser and so treated by a neutral as !.
fell as a belligerent government and is .
eriously considering instrueting its off. :
ials accordingly"
Secretary Lansing has eontended that
his government never had definitely 7
ommitted itself to disarmament. but
icrely had advanced the proposal for
he consideration of the belligerents He
bjects now to the idea which has gained :
round that the administration has re-
arsed itself
Nevertheless it is apparent that this
the construction which the opponents