Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-16

the American note Win reference 10
the sinking OF the Cunard line steam
ship Lusitania
LONDON, May 15.--The Exchange
Telegraph company has received the
following message from Amsterdam
"A telegram from Berlin states
that the Vossische Zeitung an
nounces that hish government cir
cles In Germany, favor the submis-
sion Of the question of the Lusitan-
las sinking and the difficulties with
America arising therefrom to a court
OF arbitration"
SuERcstion Received In Washington
WASHINGTON. May l6-The sugges-
ton OF arbirRtion contained In dispatches
to London from Berlin by way OF
Amsterdam wns received among officials
here with the informal comment that
such course was among the oonsidera-
tions which had occurred In Washington,
but IL was pointed out that II probably
would not be satisfactory unlosa assur-
ances were given In the meantime that
the submarine warfare on merchant
ships was suspended
A cahlegram from Amba ssador Gerard
sent at o'clock last night, reaching tho
state department early to day. stated the
ambassador had not then received tho
American note. state department Of
ficials expected further Rdvioes soon.
Meanwhile officials sought to trace the
note and hasten it's delivery, Having
knowledge from Ambassador Page at
Rome that the note was relayed from
there yesterday afternoon on the Itslian
telegraph lines, officials felt assured that
II would reach Ambassador Gerard today.
With the presentation of the note the
United States viii have submitted itl
case and Germany IL expected 10 make
the nsxt move in the diplonkatis en-
ssasaaise- II IL confidently expected that
Germany will give 7he matter Immediate
confederation and send its reply ID Aboat
ten days
Bernsturrf stilf Silent.
Count Benstorff. me German atnpassA-
dor, still was silent Some Of his friends
said that he was pleased with the friende'
character OF the note and was confident
that the controversy could be satibfac-
torily adjusted.
Secretary Bryan had sent two messages
to Ambassador Gerard after the note
itself left the telegraph offices here--ona
notifying him that II had been sent and
advising him that Il had been
arranged to release Il for publication at
a. m. Friday. and therefore, TO present
II 70 the German foreign office az early
as possible Ambassador Gerard acknowi-
edged both.
Among we'll informed diplomats today
the belief existed that Germany's reply
would afford a means OF settlement
through diplomacy.
II was thought not improbable that
Germany would suspend submarine war
fare while the diplomatic discussion was
In progress and might suggest that II the
British government notified all it's mer-
lnantmen TO sail unarmed, the right OF
visit and search would then be exercised
to prevent contraband from reaching It's
II was believed Germany might insist
On retaining the submarine as a de-
stroyer Of commerce. hut would offer 10
make no attacks on noneombatants or
lid not offer resistance when encoun-
cred.
Puts BIame on United states.
AMSTERDAM (via London), May 15.-
III the blame for the sinking of the Lusi-
ania is placed upon the United States
government by the Berlin Vossiche zei-
ung Of Thursday. which argues that the
liner took no care to avoid danger. but
onsidered It's protection rested In a
living American rampant"
The newspaper asserts Il was the
'merican passengers on hoard who were
o insure that $500 cases OF ammunition
n It's hold would not be touched. 1t Is !
tated that the fact that Americans we're
cling utilized for this purpose naturally
'ns concealed from passengers of that
htionality.
The Nossiohe Zeitung says tho Ameri- !
an government must start from this
oint must ascertain who was respon- |
ible for the coneealment OF this danger
nd consider whether It can allow bellIg- |
rent states 70 stake the lives OF Ameri- I
an citizens In order to obtain the con-
eyance OF contraband.
The newspaper further contends that |
fter Germanys declaration of a war
one on February the American gov
rnment ought to have prevented it's clti- |
ems from embarking on British steam I
RS. even those on the auxiliary list as i'm |
mes Of peace. instead of permitting In !
ividual Americans to run into danger,
he magnitude OF which they failed to
nderstand.