The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-29
BERNSTORFF ACTS.
Cables berlin of stronE Sentiment
Here for Reply TO Note.

Here for Reply TO Note.
WASHINGTON. May es-The belief
that the American steamship Nebraskan
was ,orpedoed was strengthened here
to-day with the receipt OF an official re-
port asserting that the chief engineer OF
the Nebraskan had said without quail
fication that he saw the white wake OF
torpedo Just before the explosion oc-
Cured
with the probability that several days
must elapsc before. all the facts are
definitely known regarding the Sebras-
kan. officials to-day were greatly in
terested In reports from Berlin that the
German Government is about 20 send its
reply to President Wilson's note and
that this reply Is to be OF q preliminary
and not final character.
The reports that Germany wants TO
have the facts In the cases OF German
submarine and aerial attacks OH the
American nag, American life and Amer
lean property determined TO the mutual
satisfaction OF both Governments before
making her reply 10 President Wilson's
demands caused no surprise here. IL
has been the expectation that the Ger
man answer would Le drafted largely
with the purpose OF engaging the United
States in "A more or less protracted dis
cusson of the Issues involved.
While IL Is asserted that there need
be no fear that the Administration will
permit itself to become so entangled in
the intricacies OF diplomatic correspond
ence as to lose It's power of action on the
vital issues involved. II Is pointed out
that Germany has right to ask that
the facts in the cases be determined to
her own satisfaction. Ii is asserted,
however, that even If a further note is
devoted to "A setting forth of the facts
in all cases as this Government under
stands them the United States will not
permit Germany to make this an excuse
for undue prolongation of the corre-
spondcnce to the disregard OF the very
clear demands made by President VIII
son as to German submarine operations.
Questions as to whether these vessels
were carrying contraband or not. or
whether they were armed or not will be
excluded from the United States view
of the cases 50 far as its demands for
respect for the American flag and Amer
lean lives are concerned.
IL is asserted that the important point
to be kept always in mind is whether
Germany intends for the future to re-
spect American rights as existing under
treaties, international law and the laws
OF humanity. 1t Is pointed ou. that If
Go ermany does conform In the future 10
the demands of the United States this
Government will be to "A large degree
satisfied FOR He present.
In the reports OF the last ten days,
however, little evidence is seen OF any
restriction of the German programme.
rs several neutral vessels and many
British ships have been torpedoed with
out the Germans apparently making
any Investigation to see whether their
acts were likely to affect directly Amer-
can rights.
Secretary Bryan to-day took the stand
that he would give out no further
results OF the Investigations being made
by United States representatives at
Liverpool into the Nebraskan case until
complete reports were received.
With regard to the statement OF Capt.
Greene that he does not know whether
II was a mine or torpedo that caused
The damage, II is pointed out that the
captain has said that he was In his
cabin at the time, so that he could not
have well seen whatever evidence of a
submarine or mine might have been
observable. 1t is now particularly de-
sired to know II the chief engineer spoke
OF seeing the torpedo wake at the time,
before the explosion occurred. or whether
1t was an afterthought III the latter
1t Is doubted much weight will be at
tached to his statement. at least so far
hn no auis nf