Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-05-05
Press Dispatches Indicate That
Berlin Holds to Right to
Sink Merchant Vessels When
Armed,
PRESIDENT WILSON
FIRM IN POSITION
II Note Is as Reported DipIo-
matte Relations Are Likely
to Be Broken Off With lit
tie Ceremony,

~~'"'-'"a
Washington, May 4.---tiermany's
reply 10 the demand OF the United
States for immediate abandonment OF
the present methods Of submarine
warfare, delivered 10 Ambassador
Gerard today, was awaited by offic-
ials Of the Washington government
tonight With expectant tension. They
were without any definite idea of
what the communication contaiued.
brief message from Ambassador
Gerard. as well as press reports. how
ever. had created the impression that
the imperial government would pro-
pose conditions which the United
States could not accept
President IL Firm.
II was reiterated that President
Wilson stood unalterably by the po-
sition declared In the note to Ger
many-~that the abandonment OF
present submarine methods must be
declared and effected immediately or
the United States must sever dIplo-
matte relations. This demand WAS
designed to permit OF nn argument
aud high officials repeafadly have aA-
serted that anything short OF 4 iitcrni
compliance would be followed BY a
diplomatic rupture.
ItNt fNpNV4M IOuuy.
The official copy OF tho note hard
~ will reach Washington before to-
morrow night. but the document wAa
given 10 the press In Berlin late 10
night and the unofficial text was eka
nected 10 reach the United States
early tomorrow morning.
Ambassador uerard's message waA
sent before he had examined the note
itself Its meaning wus not entirely
clear because ef errors In TRANSMITS
sion OF the diplomatic deciphcf.
Secretary Lansing declined. 10 cons
ment on the message or make II pub
lie. because he feared II was gArbled
or that Mr.. Gerard, not having seen
the note itself, might have made In
accurate deductions. Furthermore.
the Ambassador had indicated that his
must be regarded aa being
highly confidential.
Error In Dcciplicring.
Secretary Lansing sent tho dispatch
10 the White House for the informa.
lion of the president, At the same
lime an effort was made TO have the
srrors OF transmission corrected. II
tonight, however, that the
contents of the note would ibe known
,efore the corrections could be made.
ion 20 press dispatches saying that
he German chanceilor would have
he general German public behind
I'm In efforts to avoid a breach of
with tho United States 50
ar as can be done without sacrifice
ng the principle cnuneinted in tho
herman manifesto Of February s.
Where Conflict Arises.
This manifesto Of February an
ounced to the world Ciermany's I'M
ention Of treating an wnrships armed
merchantmen of hostile nations. II
ms clearly Indicated that IN the fu-
Ire Germany intended to sink with
NJ warning beliscrent merchant
hips carrying armament on the
round that they were armed for pur-
oses OF offense, and that command
IS OF British merchantmen had In
nes
Wilson's Position.
The position of the United states
that merchant nhips have a right 10
m themselves for defensive pur-
lsea, and that as long as armament
as carried and used for defensive
irposcs the vessels should receive
e same treatment as other peaceful
aiding ships. This position was re-
ated and elaborated upon in mem-
andum on the subject prepared by
crctary Lansing at the direction or
resident Wilson and only d few days
ter the Dispatch of the note to Ger
any. sent TO the governments OF
irepc, neutral az wcll as belligerent.
One Hopeful Note.
Some officials tonight found hopes
| indication in press dispatch
iieh stated that considerable per-
rhation was apparent tn Berlin over
q effect which ''concessiona" TO hs
,de might have on German public
inion,
President Wilson and Secretary
nsing prepared 20 remain UP iatc
light 70 wee the unefgtcial text ~
: reply carried m PRESS dispatches,
I abandoned sAe iaes when Il Ne-
me- kRAua tNSt sAc dispatches
als Nsst he sseasaNie befere naogo-
i A syseSaa eofdss ~ operators ~aS
il an Aatv hg she s,ste aspatsassng
receive, 3he AfIseial teNt Though *
an4Hht ~va@ hHd not ceF4e from
lbssasH6f Gerard ms, he ~'ef rsi,dS
egAl4 fbe sgasume0t
i1ge German 44am10ranftffa of fs'ly.
ly s. fVfefvea Ia IN fhe iftuvc ',iir-
-. was aaareHssea 10 The re,ltrhl
tons and declared shat utter fseh
9s 3 Germans Notlh chnsssier eli
fed nscroAantuaen heleiieing %
n1ales at war with <x1xnAsisy nt
ships and thaf III wo'ild