The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-21

777-F KUFETuT1NhJ
Exs &he British war zone Germany claims
I y the right to torpedo without warning
3 enemy freighters carrying supplies 10
4 her enemies. or armed enemy passen-
i ssxer vessels.
In the Mediterranean war zone
y s1sermany has pledged herself to sink
Us sno merchant vessel, passenger or
n frcarhter. without warning. and with
out making provision for the safety
OF passengers and crews, unless the
vessel resisted or attempted 20 escape
Moreover, Germany agreed 10 submit
to prize court proceedings the cues
y. tion of financial loss from destruction
srrssass Cruiser Warfare.
This in effect, is cruiser warfare
i r against commerce, and Is recognized
~ as legal by international law.
What Germany must decide -
whether she viii agree 20 conduct an
submarine operations in this manner
~. And upon that decision rests the
question OF whether n break IN diplo-
matte relations will come.
- All ewes were turned 10 Berlin to-
day Official advices Of the receipt
in Berlin OF the American note ana
its expected delivery 20 the foreign
-. ONCE before the day ends prepared
II Washington for early news indicating
hM the nature Of German reply Three
n probable courses Of action were diS-
~ snssed by Official Washington today
s-----ft liz said that Germany may he eN~
pected TO act along one OF the iol-
NJ lowing lines:
Il First. 10 comply with the Prcst-
dents demands ny declaring and ef-
Yecting her abandonment Of Illegal
u Submarine warfare. This probably
= would be brought about by making
The Mediterranean submarine pledges
apply 70 all submarine operations
4 n Second TO refuse 10 answer tho note
n thus compelling the Tnfed states To
sever diplomatic RELATIONS. Germany
then would continue her submarine
operations and force this country
either to tolerate her acts. aRainst
which The President has complained
81. or TO take steps looking 10 dsclATA-
r. NSion of way
y Third To renew her assurances 10
the United States that submarine war
fare will be conducted In accordance
j with the recognized principles OF the
international law and the recognition
given reprisa}s but at the same time
as not TO relax her submarine activities
This would force the United states 70
take the initiative IN breaking on
diplomatic relations or IN declaring
war. II the President and Congress
should decide that injuries sustained
ny American nationals and American
commerce warranted war.
In any event, II WAS asserted. this
& government expects the German au-
,horities TO place the burden, II not
approhriun Of having to declare war.
upon the United States.
@~tfs On the other hand. II Is known TO
IT BE the earnest desire OF President
Wilson that n war Is TO come, Ger
many shall declare II. The Presi-
a = dent. II IS known, is aware. too. "t
4 ssithe existence Of sentiment In this
q a-
eliminated against In the matter Of
protests and that England has been
s. tscitiy assisted AT Germany ex-
pense.
win stand BY President
In all administration quarters today
there was Arm conviction thai II war
comes, IN spite OF efforts 70 prevent II,
the people OF all natioualities Will
rally solldly to the support OF the
President Even II Germany should
reject all American demands and con-
!. unue submarine warfare as at pres
ent conducted. It was not clear to all
ofFicIals that the United States under
the terms OF the ultimatum served
on Germany Ivy the President would
h abe forced by the position It has taken
a 10 go TO war
1t In admitted. however that the
United States must, II It carries out
the program outlined break Off rela-
fions with Germany unless the German
government declares It's intention TO
abandon present illegal methods
Even with relations rnptured Ger
many. IL is pointed out. might avoid d.
4 rect conflict with the United States nv
avoiding attacks on vessels carrying
Americans.
4 prominent administration sup,
porter in Congress today presented
The attitude OF the majority members
. of Congress AS follows;
The majority in tho House would
Aassupport the President IN anything the
President might demand. even though
81 should he war. The sentiment of
the majority Is not for war but
against IT. There would he opposition.
but the President undoubtedly would
win In the House. II he should decide
for war There Is stTonS feeling ~ fhc
HIT use that action should be taken
against Great Britain on account OF
sAathat countrys violations Of American
##rights
Kern Dcprecates Discussion,
Senator Kern, majority leader NJ thA
Senate. after conference WITH the
President today. deprecated any dis
!, cussion OF the note to Germany Such
discussion. ne thought, might seriously
4 hamper the President IN bringing tho
Il pending negotiations between the two
countries to such point that all dlf-
feT@DCeS may De EfnFthDtY StLA1cus Nv
insisted that no action by Congress is
at the present time.
-, Take Extra Precautions.
The Navy and Treasury Depart
ments and the Washington police have
taken extra precautions to guard Ger
man property from violence while re-
iations between the governments are
strained
Secretary Daniels has ordered an
increased quart Of marine To protect
the Ssyville Tuckert0n wireless
plants, the only means Of comnuni-
cation the German ambassador has
with his government Mr.. Daniels de-
] MED that This was move designed TO
seize the plants. 1t was wholly a
precautionary measure TO protect
German interests, he said
The Treasury Department has IN
structed the collector Of customs at
New York 10 take extra precautions
guard the German liners tied up
at dock In New York. The Navy De-
In