New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-12

.r.,s Of rarer 10 make gun wads 70
-. h.el a. her enemies. The fresi
5o,, Will see his modus ViVerdi SIM
Iarlv hung in his face from '0'peu'
tube before long. ,.o-io,,s
Diplomatic negotiations OF IN
characters. II IL believed soon
confront the United states as IN.
suit Of German intentions 20 1IeG'
armed merchant ships as Wa' >''S'''
after February ~. .ho tom.
Anrarcntly IL IS certain, u me IN
~ - the allied governments can ne
,,dred bv the feelings Of their d'p'V-
-,stic representatives here, that M!
.tscnont nv The United States 20 change
tbo rrosont rule permitting me use OF
,r,orican ports By merchant sh'ps
armed for defensive purposes VIII DC
met By strong protest IofrespoHltu-
encc also is likely 20 follow Nne
United states assumes a position WhIei,
coircidcs with that OF Germany ana
Austria regarding the right o. suo.
marines 20 sink armed ships W''hou'
warning.
Nav Boycott United states Ports.
on the other hand. the United Sta.ess
itself may take the initiative should
the Entente Alos impose Nrtua.
boycott on American ports IN the even
of this government deciding ma ma
armed merchant ships entering amer
can waters are ships Of war. anc. theie-
fore. subject 20 internment.
The definite attitude Of the tn'c0
states toward Tho stated intention o.
Germany and Austria VIII he deter
n,ined after the formal texts OF mo
notes. which have been handed 30 Am
bassador Gerard and Ambassador Pen
Geld. are received from Berlin and VI
emma. Once the texts are before ON
c,els here. IL is believed the position
Of this government quickly viii be de-
sned ONLY eighteen days remain be
lore German and Austrian 'marine
commanders will start 20 put ther
new instructions into operation.
The view Of az lesst one Of The rep
-osentativcs Of the Entente Allies mere
: that any change made ln the RUE
hearing on submarine warfare during
the war would be am unneutTa4 ACT
The governments are represented as
not being prepared 20 admit mat mere
has been any change IN the conditions
~ naval warfare which would warrant
merchant ships armed for defensive
rurposes being characterized as war
ships. q.
In Teutonic quarters, however II IS
contended that merchant ships armed
FOR defensive purposes are Ieaiy
armed for resistance, and thar mei
chant ships have no right 20 resist.
Moreover IL is claimed By GERMANY
hat /, il impossible 10 adhere 20 the
nrinciple of warning merchant ships IN
accordance with the views OF me
United States. should they be armed,
single shell OF small calore ps!Hs
sufficient 20 sink any submarine WI'VH
might attempt 10 warn such Nesse''
II Is admitted that submarines nave
right to stop enemy armed meIoha"'-
men.
American officials seem inclined TO
tho view thar the contentious Of sc
German ard Austrian governments are
we'll founded, and from several quar-
+ers to-day came the information thS'
The limited States might warn It's ma
tionsls 20 remain eli Of merchant shlps
that are armed. This, II was salo' I"
German circles, was precisely what 'ue
German and Austrian governments
have been aiming 20 achieve.
Boycott Issue Discussed.
Tho possibiiitv OF the Entente Alles
nuttinc into effect a practical boycot
Of American ports was widely discussed
IN official circles during the day. IL
mas been intimated that the AlIies
might sec ct 70 permit only sufficient
number Of their unarmed SHIPS 70 en-
for American ports 70 take away mer-
chandise and goods consigned 20 them
selves. T. was admitted in high official
quarters that should such a plan be
nut into effect action OF some KING
might have 20 be taken.
Information reaching here N press
dispatches Is that officials OF the Ger
man government consider that their
move is development Of the sugges-
TONS OF the United States. II was
oointed out that this government IN
controversies over the conduct OF SUD
marine warfare has mentioned "un-
armed merchant ships" Such refer
ence first wss made in the busltania
case. .
to-day that should the United States
definitely alter its position In favor OF
r. views Of Germany and Austria, as
cubodied in the forthcoming notes.
i will be necessary for the for
c;yn Offices 20 Immediately by confer
ence or negotiations Of some kind form
poGcv 20 be followed.
II was learned that consideration al
ready has been given by diplomats rep
resenting the Allies 20 the feasibility
Of diverting the major portion OF trans
atlantic commerce Of their countries
from the North Atlantic ports OF the
United States TO Canadian ports. 1t
has been pointed out, however. that
such a move coulc not we'll affect yes
ssls carving cotton and oil from ports