by Richard van Pelt, WWI Correspondent

From the front page of the Capital Journal:

GERMANY WILL REFUSE TO CEASE SUBMARINE ATTACK ON VESSELS
Kaiser Holds That America’s Legal Rights Extend Only To Boats of American Register and to Citizens Aboard Merchantmen – Must “Fight Fire With Fire” Is Stand Taken by Teutons – Bryan Puts Lid Down Tight On Comments

Washington, May 20 – – Germany has unofficially accepted the general principle that American citizens shall be protected and safeguarded by the United States under all conditions.

Asserting that it is contrary to all rulings of international law, she will, however, reject the suggestion that the United States can demand the complete abandonment of the German submarine warfare. Germany holds that America’s legal rights extend only to the protection of vessels of American register and the safety of americans aboard belligerent merchantmen.

It is understood to be the German position outlined to Ambassador Gerard, during a series of unofficial conferences at the Berlin foreign office, following the ambassador’s presentation of President Wilson’s note.