Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-10
more in the nature Of an ultimatum


ing another statement Of his attitude
on the situation between the United
States and Germany, which he intends
cation Of the American note to Ger
many in tomorrow's newspapers.
Treaty Backs President.
High officials held the view that Mr..
Bryan's statement Of yesterday consti-
tuted a virtual surrender of American
rights guaranteed not only by interna-
tiopal law but by specific treaties be-
tween tho United States and Germany.
Mr.. Bryan's suggestion that Ameri-
cans should not take passage on
American ships carrying ammunition
was in direct conflict, it was pointed
out, with the treaty of 1928 between
Prussia and the United States, wherein
either party in time of war Is given
the right to free access to belligerent
ports for commerce in arms and am
munition and other contraband.
Moreover. the rights of an American
citizen to sail on an unarmed and un-
resisting merchant ship Of any nation
ality in time OF war is heid by the
president and his advisers to be an
inalienable privilege founded on the
International law Of centuries.
Wilson Wants Guarantee.
The presidents view is understood
to be that new weapon Of offense in
warfare can be introduced only IL 1t
is made to conform with the generally
established rules Of international law
existing. The conditions of war may
change, he mas said, but not the rules
of war, unless there is general agree
ment among the nations which con-
tributed to the making of international
law.
Mr.. Wilson, 1t became known, is not
opposed to the. idea of an investigation
or diplomatic discussion Of cases in
dispute between Germany and the
United States, but feels that before
such a step can be taken some guar
anty must be given that in the interim
of discussion the lives OF American
citizens will not be jeopardized and
that the United States will not be re-
quired to yield any Of It's rights while
the discussion !s under way.
It is the repetition of attacks on
American vessels or lives which the
president believes must be prevented
by an assertion of the rights Of the
United States and the attainment OF
Germany's acquiescence in that point
Of view before diplomatic negotiations
on the subject can continue
The note cabled to Germany, 1t was
said authoritatively. leaves room for q
friendly reply, but contains firm in
sistence on the principles expressed.
Note to Britain Also.
After President Wilson dispatched
his uncompromising rejoinder to Ger
many this afternoon he then began
the preparation of note to Great
Britain demanding the lifting of the
illegal blockade Of American commerce
with neutral European ports.
The presidents purpose in deciding
also to send q note to London isSto in
duce Great Britain, as well as Ger
many. to comply with the rules OF war
fare laid down by international law.
He will seek to force Great Britain to
cease Interference not only with neu-
tral commerce but with legitimate
trade between the United States and
Germany, particularly in food for con-
sumption by noncombatants.
In moving against Great Britain the
president is doing what Germany has
urged repeatedly. Inasmuch as Ger
many has offered to call off its sub
marine warfare on shipping if Great
Britain would lift the embargo on food
shipments, administration officials now
hope that Berlin will aid the presi-
dents effort to influence England by
yielding to the American demands con.
tanned in the rejoinder dispatched to-
day.
It is believed that if Germany agrees
to abandon the submarine warfare on
commerce Great Britain could not ig-
more the presidents demand to modify
the blockade.