Evening star., 1915-05-12

the United States can contribute I'M
menseIy to aiding the allies against
Germany. If 1t wants to enter the con-
fiict, it need not do so. Should Ger
many persist in her submarine policy
and resent the severance of diplomatic
relations. declaring war on the United
States. 1t would be feasible. according
TO friends of President Wilson, for
America to maintain policy or unag-
gressive preparation for eNentuailties
Then 1t would be possible for the ad-
miniStration to withdraw its expressed
opposition to the loan of money by
financiers of this country to the bat
thing nations and permit New York and
other bankers to supply all the sineWs
of war they wished, at the same time
encouraging the making and shipme mt
of ammunition on a broader scale than
in the past.
Not one additional cent would be need
ed, and it is doubtful II the President
would be compelled to call Congress in ex-
ira session.
Should Germany Win.
Looking to the future. though. thou
sands see the possibility that Germany.
II victorious in Europe. would delay her
attack upon the United States until she
was fully prepared for this attack. That.
however. carries no fear to administration
hearts If Germany should win in
Europe because she had prepared years
in advance to do 50. the lesson is that the
United States should prepare now for a
possible conflict. Efficiency would do for
this country what 1T has done for Ger
many.
1t Is about the present that Presi-
dent Wilson is concerned. His declara-
tion that a man may be too strong and
too proud to fight may receive forceful
Interpretation in future events. it was
said today. should Germany threaten
war against the United States because
of a severance of diplomatic relations.
1t is coming to be believed that the
Presidents phrase perhaps meant that
such German threats of war would be
meaningless to this country. If the
United States does not wish war, and
will not have it, how is Germany going
to war with us now?
Aid Of Value to Allies.
Although not actually at war with
Germany, however. the moral and ma
terial help the people Of this country
would give to the allies in money and
ammunition would be equal to an army
of million men on the battle fronts
of Europe. The government need not
spend dollar in that help. 1t is de-
clared. and should 1t wish to invest at
all would probably do so in the way of
preparation for the future.
1TcS1Q6uCS NOLo v1Se0.
Written by President Wilson and ap-
proved unanimously by the cabinet. the
Presidents note was being carefully
examined by Counselor Lansing and
the law officers of the government at
the State Department today to make
sure that its phraseology covered every
point of law involved.
Ihe White House officially announced
hoa w
determined the course of action to be
pursued in the following statement
issued by Secretary Tumulty after a
conference with the President:
The course of the President has been
determined 1t will be announced just
as soon as it is proper to publish the
note now in preparation"
This was taken to mean that the
usual diplomatic amenities would await
the receipt of the communication in
Berlin before making 1t public At
nrst there was some suggestion that
by the President to Emperor William,
but Mr.. Wilson determined that 1t
should be addressed, not to an indi-
viduaL but to the German government
and through 1t to the German people.
Voices Intense Feeling.
While high officials and cabinet Off
GERS were reticent to discuss its con-
tents. It was agreed that the note voiced
the intense feeling of the United States
over the occurrences in the war zone
and wanted an explanation of them as
we'll as a guarantee that they would
not be repeated In the future.
The communication lays stress on the
inhumanity of the attacks without
warning on merchant vessels 1t re-
vi IN
the war zone in which the rights of
American citizens have been trans
gressed-the sinking of the steamer
Thresher, an American: the attack by
German airmen on the American
steamer Cushing. the torpedoing of the
American steamer Gulfight while hy-
destruction of the Lusitania, 'th the
loss of more than thousand human
lives. including about lis Americans.
the German government and the Ger
man people could certainly not have
intended to sacrifice American lives in
the pursuit of their maritime warfare
Warning Not Justification.
Attention is called to the fact that
while advertisements of warning ap-
peared in the newspapers the United
States government was never officially
informed of 1t, but irrespective of
that, the position Is taken that the
serving Of notice to do an unlawful act
neither justifles 1t nor makes it law
full.
As for reparation, the United States,
naturally will seek financial repara-
tion, but Its protest now is in the
name of international law and human
fty to obtain a guarantee that such
tragedies of the sea will not be re-
peated and the lives of non-comb tants
sacrificed.
Cabinet Officers Pleased.
cabinet officers known as the advo-
Gates always of vigorous steps in for
eign affairs were highly pleased They
said the Presidents note was the kind
of document that fulfilled the desires of
every American and upheld the dignity
and honor of the United States, indicat-
ing that the American government was
prepared to go to the full length Of its
ability TO obtain its wishes.
Has But Two Engagements.
The President saw no callers this
morning, but shortly after noon kept
two engagements made previously
one was with the Siamese minister
who presented to him a gold medal in
commeinoration OF the coronation Of the
King OF Siam in 1911. The other was
with Gutson Borglum of New York. a
sculptor, who called to pay his re
spects