The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-09

Washington. May 9-In accepting Germany's pledge to abandon imme- diately her illegal submarine warfare the United States yesterday placed the Berlin government on parole.
 In form, the communication sent to Berlin is an acknowledgment couched in courteous diplomatic phrases, in striking contrast to the language used in the German reply to the American ultinatum.
 In substance it is a notice to Ger many that the United States has clos ed the doors to all consideration ex- cept ffa scrupulous execution hence forth of the new altered policy of the Imperial government"
 If the pledge accepted is treated as a scrap of paper,'' severance of rela- tions will follow without further notes.
 If there be war, the fault will be that of Germany.
 Whether Germany already has vio- lated her pledge by the torpedoing of the White Star liner Cymric re- mains to be determined officially. The only information of the disaster reaching Washington last night was in the form of press despatches. It was said at the State Department that no intelligence of the possible viola ton of the German pledge had been
  pending such advices.
 The4 announcement of the Cyrnric incident, coming on the eve of what the government enthusiastically regard ed as satisfactory adjustment of the German troubles, created uneasfness in official circles, even though the circumstances were not clear. Lansing's Statement.
 In addition to the note, MT. Lam sing made public this statement:
 The greater part .of the Ger
 man answer is devoted to matters
 which this Government cannot
 discuss with the German Govern
 ment The only questions of right which can be discussed : with that Government are those
 arising out of it's own actions or. out of our own. and, in no event those questions which are
 the subject of diplomatic ex
 changes between the United States and any other country.
 The essence of the answer is that Germany yields to our repre-
 sentatfons with regard to the rights of merchant ships and -combatants on the high seas, and engages to observe the rec Ognized rules of international law governing naval warfare in using her submarines against merchant ships So long as she lives up to this altered policy, we can have no reason to quarrel with her on that score, though the losses re- sulting from the violation of American rights by German sub
 marine commanders acting under x the former policy will have to be settled.
 While our differences with Great Britain cannot form subject of discussion with Ger
 many, it should be stated that in our dealings with the British government we are acting as we are unquestionab1y bound to act : in view of the explicit treaty en- gagenents with that country. We have treaty obligations as to the manner in which matters in dis pute between the two govern
 nents are to be handled. We of fered to assume mutually similar obligations with Germany, but the offer was declined. When, however, the subject in dispute is 9, continuing menace to American lives. it is doubtful whether such obligations apply, unless the
 menace is removed during the Fpendency of the proceedings.
 Offers Berlin Way Out
 The concluding paragraph of the Secretary's statement is regarded as one of the most important and prom ising developments of the dispute between Germany and the United States. It is interpreted to be an invitation to Germany to sign the Bryan peace treaty providing for the arbitration of all quarrels between nations for a year before a dec1ara- ton of warl
 Great Britain and twenty-two other nations signed this. treaty. If Germany keeps it's pledge, the sig nificant statement of the Secretary is taken to mean that the United States will consent to an arbitration of future matters in controversy, pro- vided. of course, Germany accepts the treaty. In making this suggestion the State Secretary, it is believed, has of- fered Germany a way out of some of her present difficulties