The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-25
ALLIES REFUSE TO
DISARM SHIPS AND
TRUST GERMANY
Reject Plan Proposed by L. s..
Saying They Place No Faith
in TeutOn Promises.
INTERNATIONAL LAW
INTERCHANGEABLE IN WAR

WAsHfNsroS. March ci.--Great Brit
proposal looking toward a bargain with
Germany on the question Of armed mer-
chantmen and submarine warfare. THIS
fact was made clear to-day when Stcre-
tary OF State Lansing received a reply
from the Entente allies TO a proposal
that they disarm their merchantmen u
return for a promise from the Central
Powers that submarines will refrain
from sinking merchantmen without
warning.
The reply delivered TO the State De-
partment by the British Embassy en-
presses courteous appreciation Of tn"
good Offices Of the United States in ad-
vancing the suggestion. hut emphasizes
HI fact that the Allies wish TO rest their
case definitely and finally on the basis -
international law. the rules Of which
should not be changed while the war =
in progress.
President Wilson and Secretary Lam
sing had expected tina, the Entente
would take this stand. and to a grea,
extent IL bears out the position which
President Wilson himself has taken with
the Central Powers on all matters per-
tanning to rules Of international Law.
Document IL short.
Although tho reply was cabled mere to
the British Embassy by the British
Foreign Ofi'e IL represents the joint
decision of Great Britain and her allies.
II is shor, and TO the point. ~refraining
from arguments and long discuss MS.
and is therefore more in the nature If a
simple reitcration OF the Entente Allies
known position than u document setting
forth new views ON the subject.
The correspondent, of THE L is able
to outline authoritatively some of the
major reasons which have prompted the
Allies to refuse To entertain the pro
posal. In the first place 1t may lie sd
that Great Britain and her allies are In
no mood to discuss agreements with
Germany on this or any other score. II
10 said parenthett ally that the same
reply will come when Germany makes
her first advances toward cessation OF
hostilities.
The Allies base theit refusal so far as
the question of armed merchantmen and
submarine attacks In concerned upon
two main points. The first In that Ger
niany's promise could not be depended
upon unless the United States were will.
ing 10 vcuch for is being carried out.
The second Us that agreement w. the
ALLIES to have their merchantmen sub
init passINely 10 hostll. submarines. even
though the Latter did not sink them
without warning. would amount TO plac-
ing submarines on the sam. basis as a
warship. which has the right under in
ternational law to sink enemy merchant.
men after saving the ships papers and
providing for the safety Of the crew.
lmpOssibI~ for Submarine.
Obviously a submarine cannot do this,
nor can "A German or Austrian sub
marine hope to convoy merchantmen to
port. according 10 the view held by
Great Britain and her allies. There
fore. even though a submarine warns a
passenger or merchant ship before de-
stroying II, the submarine. IT IL en-
planned. would not he acting within the
rules Of International law. unless Il
tFVf'' ~ ~ N'N' wv l'hF
senSers aboard or convey the ship to
the nearest port.
The British Foreign Once has made
II clear TO Ambassador Page that no
faith whatever would i" placed in .
German promise not to sink unarmed
merchantmen unless the United States
stood ready to indorse the promise. In
dorecment. II Is explained. would mean
that the United States would put ITSELF
IN the position OF not only qua an,.-!ng
G~ermany's part OF the bargain. but
standing ready 10 force Germany to live
UP to IL. Neither President Wilson nor
Secretary Lansing feels inclined to shou,-
der such responsibility. Great r. i'ain
and her allies. therefore. take the posi-
ton that Gerrlary's promise would he
on q par with her guarantee not TO ,io
late Belgian neutrality. &C..
No Faith In Promises.
Another important point which 10
raised by Great Britain and her allies.
and respectfully submitted for the cln-
sidaration OF the United states. "a the
possible change of circumstances which
might prompt the Contra! Powers 10
change tactics whenever IL best sui'ci
their convenience.
II is felt that should ,iermHnN agree
not to attack unarmed merchantmen at
present. II WOuIu ne Dt'duSe 'OnultlDlls
Just now made this agreement the most
advantageous policy. There is. it il AL
legged. nothing to show the Entente Allies
that changed conditions might not lead
Germany to believe that IA ruthless war
fare on merchantmen hv submarines.
possibly greatly Increased in number.
would he more advantageous at "A later
date. II IL felt that Germany would not
hesitate a moment to d%enoince any
agreement she might now make In favor
OF what might he considered better policy
later on.
This argumen has been So, forth by
the British Foreign Office to Amba ssador
Page, In connection with tentative sug-
sestions from the United States that
Great Britain and her allies relinquish
the blockade Of Germany in return for "A
complete abandonment Of submarine
warfare. The United States was III
iormed that tho German promise would
rot HI entertained unless the United
States stood ready Ia guarantee il. and,
furthermore, provision would have IA ho
made against G'rmauy rcvcrting tn old
,nethods after getting in plentiful sup
!lies.
Won't Change 4. =. View.
In view Of tho fact that, IN" Euicut,
Allies reply was anticipated in Wash
!ngton II will make little difference 70
the general policy of trc I'uitcl state
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