New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-11
Berlin Tries to Gain
Time by U-Boat Farley


taken steps TO open a discussion VIII"
the United States Of means Of prevent
ing war between them.
In seeking an exchange Of views on
the subject, however IL Is 10. u"J bas
stood that the Berlin government mas
nronosed anv modification OF us rum
ioes submarine campaign, and orlclais
bere feel that they cannot enter uPo''
snch a discussion while vessels con
time TO be destroyed in violation Oh
international law. 4. Ia
The new move is understood to be
nredicated upon a willingness on yer
manv's part to discuss especiaiIy tns
.afeSnarding of American SHIPS ana
American lives on the seas, ana oseheu
Inv a renewed expression OF the ueslLe
az the German government to prevent
no Automatic breach from Leading 10
actual hostilities. 60
Inst how American interests are 10
ha safepuarded if the German war zone
nrocjamation is to stand, however, anu
wbether any specific means OF preserV-
ING peace between the two nations Is
included in the communication mas "0'
been revealed.
Officials Maintain Secrecy
Recause of the delicacy OF the situa-
ton, in fact, all officials refuse 70 as
cuss IL in detail or even 10 lHolcaVe
through what channels the communlca-
ton was addressed to the American
government. , o,;vo
hack of the step also is matter OF
speculation. In some quarters theie
20 s
q nlav for time, designed to postpohS
ary further action by the United
States until the starvation blockade
AGAINST England either has succeeded
or failed. Elsewhere there are sugges-
,iors that there may be behind 1t
sincere desire to make sacrlhces 70
nreserve peace between the United
States and Germany, and may come as
a response to the appeals understood
a. have been sent abroad by paclhsts
in this country.
In anv event. there is no evidence
hat President Wilson is contemplating
anv other course than vigorous prepa-
ration of the nation for the eventuallty
! which he warned against in his address
/ to Congress if American rights are
! violated.
No Overt Act Yet
In TO tonight no official evidence
! had been received to show that inc
! feared overt act had been committed.
Although definite information regard
inc the channel through which the Ger
man communication was directed ID
lacking. il is considered certain that IL
has been forwarded by the government
Of Switzerland The Swiss Minister
! here. who has taken over German IN
terests in this country, called at the
! State Department this afternoon and
saw Chancellor Polk. Both refused TO
! discuss the conference, but 1T is con-
sidered probable the minister, on be-
/ half of Germany, communicated that
governments views.
II he did, the German suggestions
were, it is believed, given orally.
II is regarded as improbable that
specific suggestions would be put for
ward. at least until the United States
! indicates in some way IT'S sentiment
/ toward the general proposal Tor dis
! question. The development, however,
! served to draw attention again to the
: nroposals for distinctive markings Of
/ vessels and arrangements Tor passage
/ of American passenger carrying liners
.
submarine warfare.
II was disclosed tonight that when
! Count Won Bernstorff informed the
/ United States of the new German pol
| icy an effort was last week made 10
bring about a discussion. apparently
designed to result in the United States
agreeing not to take any serious ac-
ton, and that Administration officials
fatty declined to consider il. The pres
ent efforts, while more or less different
in character, are looked upon as being
more formal in nature than those made
at first.
Some light also was thrown upon
Germanys point OF view when il was
learned to-day that while the Berlin
government was arranging for the new
campaign Of ruthless warfare certain
German diplomats in various parts OF
the world we're notified that while
military necessity" prevented the
granting Of period in which neutrals
might adjust their maritime interests
every care would be exercised that neu-
trail, and especially American, passen-
ger carrying ships would not be sub
iected TO unwArned submarine attack.
Proposal CoolIy Received
The manner in which the new Ger
man proposal was received in Official
quarters left the impression that
there was little possibility Of favor
able response here. The attitude OF
officials has been that only two
courses are open 10 Germany that
she must either pursue her ruthless
ness at the hazard OF war with this
country or restore her repudiatcd