The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-05-11
ACCEPTS BERLINS PLEDGE
IT. 8. WILL TAKE NO ACTION CN'
LESS 1T is VIOLATED.
Final Decision i'm the Future.-Au'
thoritatively Stated That German
Answer Will Serve if Fulfilled.

note has postponed, if it actually has
not aYerted, a diplomatic break with
the United States.
President Wilson will make the de-
cision after he has received the Of
fetal text, which reached the State
department late tonight by cable from
Berlin. 1t will be decoded in time to
Law it before the president tomorrow
morning.
It was stated authoritatively :f-
ter the cabinet meeting today that II
the official text bore out the unof-
fetal version transmitted in to-
DAYS Berlin news dispatches, Ger
many's assurance undoubtedly would
be accepted and before taking an
other step the United States would
await the fulfllment of her latest
promises.
In such case the United States
might not reply to the note and
would await evidence of the aban-
donment of Germany's present prac-
tices of submarine warfare which is
declared. President Wilson is de-
scribed by those close about him as
being in a position where he cannot
question the good faith of Germany
assurances which must stand or fall
by the future conduct of her subma-
rine commanders.
S# All That is Asked.
The German embassy view is that
the note gives all President Wilson
asked for; that it signalizes return
to "cruiser warfare"-the use OF
submarines rs regular naval cruisers
intercepting commerce with visit and
search. and that inasmuch as 1t
makes no mention of the armed snip
question that perplexing feat ture OF
the controversy is not involved.
Congress took the note quietly and
although members expressed vari-
ETY. of views, the general sentiment
seemed to be in favor of leaving the
situation in the hands of the presi-
dent. On the surface there was no
sign of activity in the group which
has been working to prevent the pres
ident from pressing the situation to
the point Of diplomatic rupture.
Left to Future.
Cabinet members went over the un-
official text carefully with the presl-
dent and while they uniformly re-
fused to discuss it, they reflected the
view that a break has been averted;
that Germany's new assurances would
be accorded the test of time, notwith:-
standing the reference to the action
Germany expects the United States
to take against Great Britain's re-
straints on neutral trade. They ex-
pressed this view with full realiza-
tion of the differences of opinion on
what constitutes a peaceful merchant
ship entitled to the protection of in
ternational law and Of the presidents
steadfast determination not to per-
NIT the interests of the United States
with one of the belligerents to be-
come entangled with those of an
y.
other. I
s The United States only recently,
declaring it's views on the rights of
merchant ships on the high seas, rec
ognized and provided for the condi-
tion under which Germany charges
British merchant ships, by orders of
the British admiralty, actually are
acting as naval war vessels in at
tacking submarines.
Another Open Point.
Germany in her note Preserves
complete liberty of decision should
the United States fail to prevail upon
Great Britain to bring her practice
into conformity with international
law. The official view is that the
United States for some time has been
and now is conducting diplomatic
correspondence with Great Britain on
that subject and the success or fail
ure of the negotiations and Ger
many's consequent action must neces-
sarily remain for the future. =
The United States does not know
how Germany's new instructions to
submarine commanders compare with
previous instructions which were CIV
en- at the behest of President Wilson.
Secretary Lansing stated today that
it was possible the State department
might ask for official copies of the
original orders. The new orders,
however, apparently are regarded as
meeting the presidents demand for
a declaration and abandonment of
the present practices of submarine
L. j