Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-13
tBy Associated Press


LONG BRANCH, n. j.. Oct. IL.
President Wilson and Secretary of State
Lansing discussed In detail at Shadow
Lawn Tuesday night German submarine
attacks on merchantmen Sunday off
the New England coast. The conference
lasted until late at night and was
continued this morning.
1t was indicated by officials that facts
so far collected through government
agencies have disclosed no grounds for
drastic action by the United States
government because of the attacks
themselves. No evidence has been
found that international law was vio-
lated by the German submarine or sub
marines. 1t was understood, however,
that the president and Secretary Ian
sing discussed the wisdom of pointing
out to Germany the inadvisability of
operating her submarines in close proX-
unity to the territorial waters of the
United States.
Administration officials took the posi-
ton that the transferring of submarine
warfare so close to Americas shores
was fraught with grave danger because
of the possibility of mistakes being
made by submarine commanders. Re-
ports that strong sentiment exists in
Germany for the resumption of subma-
rine warfare on a broader scale caused
The announcement of Counsellor Polk
OF the state department in Washington
that the United States will refuse to
accept the contention of the entente al
lies thar neutrals should deny the use
of their harborS to all submarines, pre-
coded the arrival of Secretary Lansing
here. The president and the secretary
OF state went over this point in con-
nection with the discussion of the entire
issue.
The arrival of James w. Gerard.
American ambassador to Berlin, in
New York shortly before Mr.. Lansing
left that city for Shadow Lawn, added
interest to the meeting between the
president and Mr. Lansing because of
the fact that the secretary saw Mr..
Gerard at luncheon in New York
PRECEDENT FOR PROTEST.
In discussions of the submarine at
tacks Sunday officials here referred to
diplomatic correspondence between the
United States and Great Britain be-
ginning in 1914, in which the American
government protested against the pa
trolling of the American coast out
side the three-mile limit by the war
ships. This was pointed to as providing
a precedent for protesting against the
proximity of German submarines to the
American coast.
In the correspondence with Great
Britain the United States took the po-
sition that it always had maintained
that patrolling by belligerent cruisers
in "close proximity to ports of the
United States was inconsistent with
the treatment to be expected from the
vessels oRa friendly power in time of
war Great Britain did not admit the
legal correctness of the position of the
United States, but promised to do ev-
erything possible TO avoid annoying
American shipping. While no formal an
nouncement was made, it was considered
probable the United States would take
position with regard to German subma-
rine operations similar to that assumed
IN connection with the warships' coast
patrolling.
There was absolutely no indication
that the president and Secretary Lam
sing had any ground for thinking Ger
many had violated it's promises not to
attack merchantmen without warning
and without providing for the safety
of the passengers and crews. 1t was
stated, however. that evidence was still
being collected and that no final de-
cision on this point had been reached.
Secretary Lansing came to Long
Branch at 8 O'Clock Tuesday afternoon
on the same train with Mrs. Wilson and
Miss Helen Woodrow Bones, the presi-
dents cousin, who spent the day shop
ping in New York President Wilson
was at the station to meet them. 1t
was the first time he and Secretary
Lansing had seen each other since the
president left Washington early in Sep
TENDER. They went Immediately to
Shadow Lawn.
CONFER UNTIL LATE HOUR.
There was no discussion of the sub
marine question until 8 o'clock when
dinner was finished. Then the presi-
dent and Secretary Lansing went into
the entire question in detail.
International politics in Germany in
connection with submarine warfare, on
which Ambassador Gerard is reported
to have brought information from Ber-
lin, has caused much discussion among
officials here. 1t was stated on the high
est authority here a few days ago,
however, that the American government
has been hearing reports for months
that Germany was preparing to vio-
late it's promises, regarding submarine
warfare, but that il would take no Off
ciaI notice of such reports unless they
were borne out by actions.
LANSING DOES NOT TALK.
Secretary Lansing. declining to dis
cuss his conference last night with
President Wilson on the GermaH subma-
rine activity off the American coast, left
here today for Washington.
The secretary and Mr.. Wilson were
IN early this morning and talked briefly
before the formers departure.
1t was reported that Mr. Lansing
would stop in Atlantic City on his way
to Washington to confer with members
Of the Mexican-American- joint COM
mission, but at the executive offices
here il was asserted that he gave no
indication Of such an errand.
Officials here declared that there was
no statement to be made regarding Mr..
Lansing's visit beyond the fact that he
and the president had discussed the sub |
marine situation very fully.
The president has received many tel
egrams urging that some action be TAX
en- to prevent a repetitionS of subma-
rine attacks near the American coast.
Mr. Wilson planned to leave this aft |