The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-10-11
M LAWS MERE
Violated By
GERMAN SUBS
WILSON CONFERS WITH
SECRETARY LANSING
No Grounds Are Disclosed for
Drastic Action on Part of
U.S.-To Confer Today.

LONG BRANCH. y. J.. Oct. 1C.--
President Wilson and Secretary OF
State Lansing discussed in detail At
Shadow Lawn tonight, German sub
marine attacks on merchantmen sun
day. Oft the New England coast. The
conferences tasted until laie tonight
aud will be continued tomorrow morn
ing. 1t was indicated by officials TO-
day hat facts so far collected through
8OvernmenI agencies have ulscloSed
no grounds for drastic acton by the
United States government because OF
the attacks themselves. NO evidence
has been found that International law
was violated BY the German sub
marine or submarines. 1t was under.
stood that the president and Secre.
tary Lansing discussed the wisdom OF
pointing out 10 Germany the inaGVlSa-
oility'of operating her submarines n
close proximity 10 the territorial va
terS OF the United States.
Administration officials took the
position that the transferring OF Suo-
marine warfare so close 10 America :
shores was fraught with grave danger
OF the possibility of mistakes helng
made by submarine commanders. he
ports that strong sentiment exists III
Germany for the resumption OF sub
marine warfare on broader scale
caused some alarm among officials.
The announcement of Counsellor
Polk, of the State Department. IN
Washington, to-day. that the United
States will refuse 10 accept the CON
iention OF the entente allies that nett
trails should deny the use Of their har-
borS to all submarines. preceded tEe
arrival Of Secretary Lansing here. The
President and the Secretary OF State
went over this point in connection
with the discussion OF the entire issue.
Gerard Adds interest.
The arrival Of James ". Gerard.
American ambassador TO Berlin. in
New York, shortly before Mr.. Ian
sing left that city for Shadow Lawn.
added interest 20 the meeting between
the President and Mr.. Lansing, be-
cause of the fact that the. Secretary
saw Mr.. Gerard at luncheon in New
York.
In discussions of the submarine at
tacks Sunday. officials here referred
10 diplomatic correspondence between
the United States and Great Britain
beginning in 1914. in which the Ameri-
can government protested against the
patrolling of the American coast cut
side the three-nlile limit Ur Br8tsh
warships This was pointed 10 as pro-
vidiug a precedent for protesting
against the proximity Of German Su1-
marines TO the American coast.
In the correspondence with Great
Britain. the United States took the
position that il always had maintained
that patroIling By belligercnt cruiS.
ers in close proximity" 10 ports OF
the Cuited States WIS inconsistent
with the treatment 10 be expected
from the vessels Of friendly power
in time Of war. Great Britain did not
admit the legal correctness Of the po-
sition of the United States. but prom
!sed'to do everything possible TO avoid
annoying American shipping.
While no formal announcement was
made. il was considered probable the
United States would take a position
with regard 10 German submarine Op-
erationS similar 10 that assumed in
connection with the warship$' coast
patrolling.