Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-27
WASHINGTON DEFINES
ARMED SHIP ATTITUDE
Merchant Vessels Carrying Guns
Must BE Viewed From Two
StandpointS.
NEUTRAL AND BELLIGERENr
Status in Neutral Waters Fixed by
Evidence Of Previous Conduct,
and on High Seas Upon Conclusive
Evidence Of Aggressive PURPOSE.

WASHINGTON, April 26.--An official
declaration of the attitude OF tho
United2 States toward armed merchant
ships. made public to-day by Secretary
Lansing. reitcratcs ana makes plain tho
purpose of the American government to
recognize the right of peaceful vessels
TO carry arms for defense. and, Mt the
same time. while referring only TO
warships generally, clearly sets forth
the conditions under which the United
states holds submarines may attack
merchant craft.
COPIES ARE GIVEN TO
EMBASSIES AND LEGATIONS
Tho declaration was issued in the
form of a memorandum prepared by
Mr.. Lansing at President Wilson'S di-
rections during the sccretary's brief
vacation last month Copies of it were
given TO each of the cmba ssies and le-
cations here. and while no official ey-
planation was forthcoming as to the
purpose of publishing the memoran-
dunn at this time. il is assumed that
at least the substance OF Ii will reach
tho Berlin Foreign Office before 81 reply
Is dispatched to the American demand
for abandonment OF Germany's present
methods of submarine warfare. This
would serve to answer in advance GER
tain questions which cable dispatches
have indicated the German government
was inclined TO ask.
In connection with the memorandum
III was stated that the State Department
now was awaiting n response from
Great Britain to request for copies OF
orders to armed British merchant ves-
sells
During the long g-drawn-out negotia
tions following the sinking Of the Iusi-
tania. Secretary Lansing has stated in
general terms nearly all OF the postu-
latcs which he lays down in to o.days
declaration.
DIFFERENCE IN PORT
AND on HIGH SEAS
an effort is made TO diffcrcntiate he
tween an armed ship in u neutral port
and the same vessel on the high seas.
In the first case it is shown that the
United states government is concerned
solely to protect itself against any
charges that might be made by one OF
the helliscrents that il had allowed
American ports to he used as n base
for hostile operations by its enemy.
Mr.. Lansing insists that the neutral
government is to be the sole judge of
the status of armed merchant ships in
Its ports in the absence OF any settled
rule Of international law \ commits
sion or orders from n belliserent gov
ernment To conduct aggressive opera
lions under penalty Of punishment for
failure To 90 so would stamp the vessel
as warship. In the absence of such
evidence the neutral government NAV
lay down its own rules OF evidence to
determine the character of the shin
and. moreover. these rules. unlike prin-
ciplcs of international law, may be
changed or modified during the prog
rcsS of the war.
Commenting on this portion Of tho
memorandum. high soi!!ciaI Of the
state Department admitted that the re-
rusal or the American port authorities
TO clear vessel might be taken as n
notice TO the public that she was re-
gnrded as warship, not entitled to
Immunity for her passengers.
MUST BE NO ATTACK
WITHOUT WARNING
The section relating to armed mer-
chant vessels on the high seas dis
closes In positive terms the American
view that there must be no attacks
without warning upon merchant ships.
even if they are armed, unless the
commander Of the warship has ahSo-
Continued on Second ParcI