KAISER TRYING TO PLACATE AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2757, 28 April 1916, Page 5

KAISER TRYING TO PLACATE AMERICA

SETTLEMENT REPORTED LIKELY '■ NEW STATUS OP ARMED MERCHANTMEN By Telegraph—Press Aesooiation-Oopyrlglit , Washington, April 26. Unofficial advices received here from Berlin assert that the Kaiser is endeavouring to arrange a modus vivendi, to prevent a breach with the United States over the submarine controversy. A settlement is, believed to be. likely in view of Count Bernstorff's activities. ("Times" and Sydnef "Sun" Services.) London, April 26. The "Times" correspondent at New York eays that official circles are distinctly hopeful over the outcome of tho German-American crisis. The _ reports from Berlin breathe a submissive spirit, owing to the fear of American economio pressure. GERMAN CHANCELLOR CONFERS WITH AMERICAN AMBASSADOR ' ' (Rec. April 27, 11.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, April 27. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" declares that Mr. Gerard (American Ambassador) Tiad a Tong conference with Herr von. Bethmann-Hollweg (Imperial Chancellor) which indicates that the most serious efforts are being made to find a solution. ARMING THE MERCHANT, LINERS UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MODIFIES ITS ATTITUDE. Washington, April 26. The State Department, in defining the American attitude towards -armed merchantmen, has issued a statement upholding the right of merchant ships to arm for protection only; but declaring that merchantmen which have used armaments for aggressive purposes are not entitled' to tho same hospitality in neutral ports as peaceably armed raerch antmen.

Tho United States thus abandons its previous attitude on the armed merchantmen question. [It was reported from Washington on April 24 that all French liners arriving in American ports in future wi 11 be armed. The big liner Rochambeaif (12,678 tons) liad arrived with guns on hoard. Tho American attitude, it was believed, would soon be change^.] BRITAIN'S RIGHT OF SEARCH THE REPLY TO AMERICA'S PROTEST. Washington, April 26. Tho British reply to tho American protest against the Allied interference with neutral-.trade contends that the Allies' practices are judicially sound and valid. The relief the neutrals so etc should be obtained in the mitigation •of necessary hardships rather than iii an abrupt change in the theory and application of tho policy, which is based on admitted principles of international law, carefully adjusted to the alteied conditions of modern warfare. An impartial and influential Commission would he appointed-' to find ways to minimise the delays. Tho Note pledges the Allies to make the restraint upon trade as little burdensome to neutrals as-possible.