The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-07-16
WILSON REFUSES TO
COMMENT ON DRAFT
v. s. AWAITS FORMAL REPLY BE-
FORE DISCUSSING QUESTION
FURTHER.
OUTLINE DOES NOT SATISFY
Berlin Makes No Admission of LiabiI-
ity With Respect to Sinking of
Lusitania - Ambassador Ger
ard Receives Instructions.

Washington, July 10.-The United
States government will not engage in
formally in any discussion or negotia
tions with Germany regarding the
character of the forthcoming reply to
the last American note on submarine
warfare.
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin has
been informed that such is the Presi-
dents decision and that the ambassa-
dor is to make no comment on the
tentative draft given him by the Ger
man foreign Office. If asked for an
expression, he is to say that the Unit
ed States will await a formal reply
before discussing the question further.
Draft Does Not Satisfy U. S.
The outline of the German note as
cabled by Ambassador Gerard is
known to be far from satisfactory to
officials. With respect to the sinking
of the Lusitania no admission of liabil-
ity is made. Whether in extenuation
or not, the view is expressed in the
draft that when torpedoed it was not
believed the Lusitania would sink as
rapidly as she did AS for the future,
citizens of the United States would be
permitted to travel with safety on the
high seas If passengers on American
ships or on belligerent ships not car
Tying munitions of war
The United States would be required
to inform the German government of
the date of the departure and charac-
ter Of the vessels carrying Americans
and guarantee that such ships had no
munitions of war aboard. In this con-
nection it would be an unneutral act
for the United States to notify any
belligerent of the date of departure
from an American port or the charac-
ter of the cargo of a merchantmen of
another belligerent.
Bernstorff Wires Berlin.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German |
AMBASSADOR, was in communication by |
wireless with his government and is |
understood to have advised the Ber- |
lin foreign Office that the form in |
which the proposals had been made. |
did not appear to be acceptable to |
the United States. He learned that |
the position of the Washington gov
eminent is that there must first be
recognition by Germany of the prin-
ciple that an unarmed and unresisting
must be visited and
searched and passengers and crew re-
moved to place of safety, before the
ship is destroyed. Until there is an
agreement on this principle the Ameri-
can government cannot discuss any
modus vivendi or temporary arrange
nents, it is declared. The German
it is believed, is urging
mis- government to make a broad state
nent on the principles involved and
reserve for later discussion arrange
nents concerning the separation of
and contraband traffic.
Proposals by Germany.
The proposals made by Germany
hat belligerent passenger vessels
which do not carry munitions of war
hall be immune from attack, provid- i
ID they heed warning of submarines ,
nd submit to visit and search, is not !
egarded as of itself Objectionable, ,
roviding Great Britain and Germany
we're to enter into such an agreement. i
he American government, it is un-
erstood, would be willing to assist Z
D making arrangements for the safe g
arriage of Americans aboard bellig 6
rent passenger vessels which do not I
AIRY munitions of war II the arrange
1ent were first made between the !
AS a whole, the German proposals 8
re not regarded by well-informed Of
Gals as bringing the question at is
ue between the United States and
ermany any nearer a settlement than
hey we're several weeks ago. Presi- z
ent Wilson is expected to return here h
[onday or Tuesday and the formal 6
erman reply will reach here at about .
Re same time. n