The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-09
Note Voices Strong Insist ence on Rights of Neutrals and Protection of Ameri- cans on High Seas
BRYAN'S WITHDRAWAL IS INTERPRETED AS OF MUCH SIGNIFICANC CE
Foreign Diplomats Think U. s. Has Adopted Force full Course Grave De- velopments Possible

Washington, June S.-The policy of the United States toward Germany an insistence on the observance of neutral rights and the safeguarding of the lives of Americans on the high seas-was determined finally today at a cabinet session.
 Secretary Bryan's resignation had been submitted and accepted when the meeting convened and he took little part in the discussion. The note which is to be sent to Germany to- morrow was read over for the last time to the cabinet by President Will son. Suggestions of some minor changes were noted by the President.
 The resignation of Mir. Bryan, whose advocacy of a course that under no circumstances would involve the Gni ted States in war spread the impress sion that the President and his cab inet had decided firmly that the rights Ol lnt On1ttu otdltS iluSl pt upntip III any eventuality that may arise. Willie no inkling as to the contents of the
 note was given, it Is understood thai an unfavorable reply will mean the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany and that attacks on All cr- jeans thereafter might lead 10 even graver complications.
 See FOrceful Course The effect on the general situation of Secretary Bryan's withdrawal from the cabinet was a subject of general com
 ment everywhere. Foreign dirlo-
 matists interpreted it as significant of forceful course on the part of the
 United States. They were busy with
 their code books and cablegrams to-
 night advising their respective govern
 ments of the cabinet change and it's significance.
 In Austro- German quarters where there has been some confidence thai Secretary Bryan's influence for peace would make impossible rupture be-
 tween the United States and Germany
 the resignation of the secretary caused
 much uneasiness
 In other official and diplomatic quar- ters the view was held that by accept ing the resignation of MT. Bryan, tho President had demonstrated to Ger | ~~any his earnest intention of securing reparation for the loss of American | lives on the Lusitania and a guarantee against other violations of American | rights.
 Calls on Lansing
 Count Won Bernstorff. the GefElai ambassador called on Counsellor Lans l ing early in the day to inform him tha 1 although the embassy quarters hat l been removed to Cedarhurst, l.. L. h. | would remain here indefinitely to avai | a copy of the American note. Later II I the day MT. Lansing announced tha l the German embassy had transmitte' l two more affidavits of persons wh claimed to have overheard people sa. 1 there were guns on the Lusitania. Nh | Lansing indicated that the affidavit | were not regarded as important Tn
 department of justice has investigate the evidence given in all the affidavit
 and has definitely decided that tler | were no guns on the Lusitania.
 The report of this investigation cam to hand today and is believed 10 hav
 been one of the things which delayed | the American note. The President eln
 ..nasized to callers early today t"d
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