The Washington times., 1915-07-15
PRESIDENT TO BEGIN
DRAFTING NOTE. TO
KAISER WEDNESDAY
viii Attend Cabinet Meeting on
Tuesday, Leaving Cornish
on Sunday.

President Wilson and Secretary of
State Lansing probably will get down
to the German notes actual preparation
on Wednesday, 1t is understood.
The Chief Executive will be here for
the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. said
Secretary to the President Tumulty. He
thinks the President will leave Cornish
on Sunday afternoon, arriving In WASH
ington by noon on Monday.
Secretary Lansing will have his ten
tative draft Of the note ready. 1t is
believed tke President will have his own
with him. The two will talk the matter
over on Monday afternoon Or evening.
and on Tuesday their joint views will
be submitted to the Cabinet.
The following day. the proposition
having been thoroughly threshed out
thus. it will be possible to begin draft
ing the message in its final form.
In substance. 1t Is the general opinion
that the communication will not differ
much from the one. which preceded it,
except in one particular. 1t will prob
ably include a paragraph 10 the effect
that the United States would like an
explicit answer. not a series Of eva
sions and counter propositions.
will be included which can be construed
as an ultimatum. and. indeed. 1t is
deemed certain that even the request for
a definite answer will be delicately ex-
pressed.
Significance is attached here to a wire
oh fy,c WI
Sayville, and published In The Times. in
which the recent submarine activities
OF Germany are recounted. and 1t Is
stated that the crews of ships are being
serted the crews are given ample time
and warming. save In those instances
where the vessel attempts to escape.
Although official confirmation is lack
ing that the Berlin government has
given directions to its submarine COM
manders not to send crews to the bot
tom without allowing them to take to
the boats and not to destroy passengers
without allowing them chance for
their lives. the fact this dispatch was
permitted to go through by the censor
cannot be overlooked at this critical
time.
Can Avoid Clash.
Ever since the German reply to the
June 8 note was received, and, in fact,
for a longer period than that. 1t has
been widely felt here that IL Germany
did not commit another wholesale mur-
der of Americans at sea in violation of
international law. clash between the
two countries would probably be
avoided
In quarters close to the German en-
bassy 1t has recently been said that
the Berlin government would see to It
the Lusitania horror was not re-
peated.
Herein seems to be the crux of the
controversy with Germany, as a prac-
teal matter.
The Administration recently has
been sounding public sentiment in
this country. 1t has been told by
prominent public men that the United
States did not want war If it could
honorably be averted. and that the
President ought to proceed with de-
Liberation and care.
This. however. 1t is generally admit
ted, applies to the past. 1t does not
mean Germany can go on her way
blowing up Lusitanias and sending
american babies. women. and nom
combatants to the bottom.
1t looks much as If Germany, de-
spite the hostile tone Of some Of her
papers. realizes this. That an intima-
ton or this sort was intended in the
German reply when it was indicated
MIA would sink so quick is deemed
likely, and apparently a further inti-
nation Is intended to be conveyed in
the unofficial dispatch heretofore al
luded to.
Issue Not Befogged.
The President and the Secretary of
State perceive clearly that the real
issue in the controversy, apart from
amends for the Lusitania case, is
whether Germany shall obey the law of
the seas in respect Of visit and search
ships. before sinking those ships, a
chance for their lives.
Germany Is. in practice, showing dis
ssIot signs Of complying with the law
make public admission that she will in
principle do so.
Freedom of the Seas.
The fact that Amba ssador Won Bern
storm is to confer with Secretary Lam
sing soon, and possibly with the Presi-
dent, Is taken as a hopeful sign. The
ambassador is placing stress on the idea
that the United States and Germany
may work together to clear up the
issues which have arisen over freedom
of the seas.
Mediation by the United States be-
tween Germany and England on this
question, Is thought by some to open a
way to a solution.
On the other hand. ii is plain that this
cannot get anywhere unless Germany
IN fact observes International law as TO
human life at sea while the negotia-
tions are on.
The attitude on the Lustania outrage
Is entirely unsatisfactory. but it
Is believed 1t may ultimately yield to
diplomatic treatment II the bigger gem
eral issue does not result in a break