New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-04

nitted 10 carry guns smaller than SIX
'nebes prov;dcd they arc mounted az
he stern. so that they would be usefui
inlv in case the vessel was in flight, ana
soUid not be used for attack.
Lansing Points Flaw.
Secretary Lansing pointed out to-day
however, that this was intenoe1 70
apply only 10 vessels saNlng from
American ports, and that ne was NOT
prepared to express an opinion AS 10
It's application In other waters pc
cause conditions have changed Ger
mans here have been arguing from the
first that. since even a small gun eoulo
sink a submarine, any armament on
merchant vessel made it Impossible iot
ri submarine 70 stop her without the
rravest risk. They have oemanded
,hat the rule be changed to provide
.hat any vessel forfeited all peacelui
-haractcr when Il carried armament OF
The Italian Ambassador conferred
with Secretary Lansing on the point
his afternoon. lie is understood 70
have conteuded that any change IN the
policv Of this government would set
dangerous precedent, as 70 would weak
en- the lonC-reCoguize0 right OF mer-
chsntmen 10 ann for defence, inns
point was also discussed by senator
Stone in his talk with the Secretary.
In connection with this discussion
the announcement by Secretary Ian
sing that Germany had abandoned her
contention that the Lusitanla was
armed was received with interest
inc influence Of tecnnlCa. questions
In another Of the cases against Aus
tris was shown in tho announcement
that no action on the sinking OF me
Yasaka Maru was likely, because there
vas q flaw in the claim 70 Citizenship
OF the one American passenger on
hoard. This information came m the
following dispatch from Consul Gar
"The ofdavits Of the officers. crew
o~d rosser.rars Of the YGsska Maru
have been received here; Will be Tor
,lardei bv next mail The person who
.t.+od ne was the only American
Board says: Although born OF Amer
lean parentaCe my claim 20 American
'-cnship has not been substanuated.
.r-cnd 10 90 so on arrival az Shang-
Call Him an Alien.
cHc,a.s Of tho State Department eN-
dressed the opinion that he Us an aleA.
This view clears Austria's skirts Of
having ENDANGERED an American. and
closes the Yasaka Maru case. The new
attitude ON the arming Of merchant
mon NAV clear her I'm the Persia case.
officials. pending official information
refuse 20 take into consideration to-
DAYS reports OF further submarine
atrocities I'm the Mediterranean.
Baron Zwiedinek, charge Of the Aus
TRAN Embassy. assured Secretary Lam
sing to-day that should 10 be found an
Austrian submarine sunk the Persia
with loss Of American life. his govern
mort would promptly give reparati on
and satisfaction He asked that ludg-
ment be suspended until all the facts
Tre state Department instructed
Ambassador Penfeld, a. Vienna, 70
make inquiries for information look
ing 20 determine the nationality OF the
submarine, and, iD any event, ceVeloP
tho facts in the case.
Corsuls and consular agents in the
vicinity of Alexandria were instructed
60 gather afijavlts from the Persia
survivors and any others which might
urcv light on the situation.
Nr. Lansing was asked today What
tlr -.ti.uJe Of the State Department
would be If investigation developed
tb.t Austrian submarines in the Medi-
ter~snean we're commanded by German
naval officers. The Secretary said the
6orar.ment was inclined to let the ma
Fonalitv Of the vessel itself determine
he rosnous .bility, taking the view that
submarine flying the Austrian flag
would be considered as responsible 10
The Austrian government by whomso-
ever commanded.