South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-14
ATTITUDE Of j. s.
ON NOTE SURPRISE
Berlin Papers Contend Country
Cannot Afford to Give
up Subs.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNE.)


cited concern the strained rela-
tions of the two countries. Reports
that the president appeared not TO be
worried ver the outlook and that op-
timism prevailed at Cornish, have
been negatived by the b~etween-the-
lines construction placed on his tel
egram.
Expect Vigorous Reply.
There is nothing in the telegram
which says that drastic action is to
be aiken by the United States but for
some reason official Washington today
interprets Mr.. Wilson'S brief promise
as foreshadOwing a prompt and vigo-
rous reply to the German note Of last
week.
1t is understood here that the white
house statement was Given out TO cor
rect certain published reports which
officials felt might convey the wrong
idea about the administration's point
of view.
Under the circumstances. it is not
difficult TO believe hat when the pres
ident returns he and his cabinet will
take steps to curtail extended dipIO-
matte correspondence with Germany
and that the third note of this gov
eminent in Germany's submarine war
fare will lave the ring of fnality.
II is not believed the United States
will recede in any degree from the
position 1t has undertaken. In Febru-
airy. Germany was warned that this
government would not omit any word
or act necessary for the protection of
the lives and rights of American citi-
zens on the high seas.
OF Diplomatic Record.
That warning is of diplomatic rec
ord. 1t is not the habit of the presi-
dent Ito back pedal" in diplomatic
affairs. and close students of the Ger
man-American controversy declare
that Mr.. Wilson cannot but reiterate
the views heretofore clearly expressed
by him. Likewise it is not assumed
that he wishes TO avoid the issue.
That there is reason to believe that
fairness IS paramount is the general
feeling here. Germany has made
counter proposals, the very nature
f which forbid their acceptance by
ne United States. The kaiser's gOv-
rnment, however, has not accom-
)anied these counter proposals with
ny offer Of r~eparation for the Amer
can lives lost on the Lusitania, nor
$ there a promise hat other Ameri-
ans will not be destroyed in a similar
manner. The most Germany promises
S that if Americans will follow GER
ain recommendations OF the German
Overnment such as travelling on
Il NdIhtu SHIPS, Immunity lIOln dlldCh
will be guaranteed.
Impatience Growing.
Official and diplomatic circles hard
Y expect Pres't Wilson and his cabi-
net TO enter into such a bargain.
Meanwhile there is manifest a grow
ing impatience over the disposition of
Germany to engage in a lengthy dip
Tomato correspondence which does
not afford the real ssue invOlved-an
issue of pre-relating TO the untram-
meled eedom of the sea lanes so far
as neutralS are concerned.
Under these unhappy circumstances
il is believed that the forthcoming
note of the United States will write
hnis' to further parleying.
SO long as Germany fOregOes fur
ther attacks upon ships which carry
| Americans there is a possibility that
the situation will not become more
| acute than il now is. This, however.
| still would leave unsettled the ques-
ton of reparation for and disavOwal
Of the Lusitania attack and also put
this government in a ~quandary as TO
how to make good on its "accOunta-
! bility" warning.
The impression here is that the mat
ter is not one TO be viewed with optim-
ism and the cabinet meeting which
will take up the evaSive German an
swer will be one Of the most import
ant in the history of the country.
1t is thought that the president and
the cabinet will consider the German
crisis next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sec'y
| Lansing is preparing a memorandum
| for the use of the president N the
drafting Of a reply to the kaiser.