The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-09
Definite ASSURANCES FOR
THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS
Are Likely to Be Asked Of the
Germanic Allies by Pres
ident Wilson.
OFFICIALS ARE GRATIFIED
Satisfactory Solution Of the
Entire Problem is Thought
to Be Near at Hand.

I NaN bNtoCAruO ppINS
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-Encour-
aged by the conciliatory attitude
shown by Germany and Austria in
recent diplomatic exchanges with the
United States. officials are consider
ing requesting a definite and compre-
hensive statement pledging not only
Germany but all of its allies to re-
spect in the conduct OF their sea war
fare the guarantees as to the safety
of American life for which this gov
ernment has contended throughout
the entire submarine controversy.
President Wilson is being urged
by some of his close advisers to ask
the Germanic allies for definite as
surances that no unarmed ships with
American aboard shall be disturbed
by any of them until the passengers,
have -r
Reached u Place Of Safety
The president is said to look with
some favor upon such a proposal, but
has reached no decision, In any case,
he probably will take no steps In that
direction until details Of the pending
negotiations with these Countries
have been cleared up. Nitj
oficials are particularly gratiied
over Gerniany's latest note on the de-
structlon Of the American ship Will,
liam P. Frye, made public today, De-
cause Of its acceptance OF the prin-
ciple that the mere placing OF nom
combatants in life boats before
prize is sunk. is nor sufficient
guarantee Of safety.
Solution Near at Hand.
This concession, coupled with the
offer of Germany to pay indemnity
for the Lpsltania victims and Ambas-
sador Won Bernstorff's assurances re-
garding the conduct of German sub
marines in the Mediterranean, has
contributed greatly to the feeling that
satisfactory solution Of the entire
problem might be near at hand. This
hope Is strengthened by Austria's de-
ference in the second Ancona reply
and the assurances of Baron Zwied-
eniek. the Austrian charge, here, that
IL It developed that an Austrian sub |
marine sunk the liner Persia he had
no doubt personally that full satlsfac-
ton would be given.
Baron Erich Zwiedinek. charge OF
the Austro-Hungarian embassy. to-
day informally called to the atten-
tion Of Secretary Lansing the pres |
ence Of two mounted three-inch guns
on the Italian. steamship Giuseppe |
Verdi. when 1t arrived in New York |
Thursday. While official information |
upon the subject was lacking, 1t was
understood that the charge had made
inquiries as to what action the United
States, as neutral, considered
taking in the matter.
Secretary Lansing was said to
have assured Baron Zwiedeienek that
the vessel would not be allowed to
leave American waters before the
Quc,tions Involved
had been disposed Of. officials In
a position TO be familiar with the at
titude of the United States expressed
the belief that the ship would not de-
part until the gums had been re-
moved. NG-
Whether the charge expressed the
belief to Secretary Lansing that the
ship. though being armed had be-
come a .warship and consequently
was subject to internment, could not
be definitely ascertained. 1t was be-
lieved, however, that the ships status
would be taken up informally with
the Italian government.
oficials consider that in seeing to
it that the ship does not sail from an
American port
With Guns Mounted
the United States will prevent possi-
Bile charges OF unneutral conduct
should 1t by any chance use its arma-
ment for other than defensive pur-
poses at some later time.