Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-03
bERNSTORFF TOLD
/ HIS COUNTRY MUST
KEEP Within LAW
Ambassador Sees President,
but Fails to Alter Latter's
Determination.
MOTE OF INQUIRY WILL
GO FORWARD THIS WEEK
lKaiser's Envoy Is Hopeful of
Paving Way to Better
Understanding.
INTERVIEW IS VERY CORDIAL
INTERVIEW IS VERY CORDIAL
Official and Diplomatic Circles Are
Divided as to Effect OF
Conference.

WASHINGTON, June 2.-PreSident
Wilson emphasized in an informal talk
with Count Won Bernsto-f. the German
ambassador. to day the Intense feeling
pr the American people over the sinking
cf the Lusitania and other violations
OF American rights on the high seas,
and impressed on him that the United
States would insist on an adherence
by Germany 10 the accepted principles
pr International law as they affect
neutrals.
No announcements were made after
the conference. which had been ar
ranged at the ambassadors request,
Hbut II WAS stated authoritatively that
There would be no change in the plan
70 send III response TO the German reply
TO the Lusitania note an inquiry to
ascertain definitely whether the i'm
perial government will abide by inter
natonal law or follow it's own rules
OF maritime warfare
The note. which is being written by
the President, will be dispatched be-
fore the end of the week.
AMBAsSAD HOPEFUL
on RETURN TO EMBASSY
In twenty minutes conversation. the
changed views on the delicate situation
which has arisen in the relations be-
tween the United States and Germany
Their meeting was cordial, their con-
versation friendly, and they discussed
fundamentals. and not details Count
Won Bernstorf later told friends that
the interview had been satisfactory,
and that the President had spoken
clearly and frankly. The ambassador
felt hopeful when he returned 10 his
embassy. He believed the report which
nc prepared for transmission to Berlin
would enlIghten the German Foreign
of!ce on the true state of the Ameri-
can governments opinion and pave the
way TO a better understanding.
In official and diplomatic quarters
opinion was divided as TO the effect
Of the conference. Some thought it
would be beneficial and bring from
Germany a conciliatory reply to the
next American communicate Others
pointed out that the German ambas-
sador similiary was hopeful when
| President Wilson's note of May 13 was
dispatched, and that he recommended
! several methods 10 the German For
e!gn Office Of meeting the American po-
sition satisfactorily. 1t is an open Sc
/
that the ambassadors suggestions were
not followed then. and speculation was
widespread as TO what influence his
communication of to-day-expressing
as it did the viewpoint OF the Presi-
dent himself-might have on his gov
ernment.
HE WILL DE ASSISTED
IN TRANSMITTING MESSAGE
In view of the difficulties which the
I'm bassy has experienced in .,ommuni-
YtinG with Berlin on account OF the
sutting Of cables, ii is understood the
President granted request of the am
oassador that the United States assist
iim in transmitting his messages con-
,crning the delicate situation that has
arisen The ambassadors report of
1ia talk with the President will he sent
IN code through the state Department.
and will be delivered by Ambassador
Gerard.
Tho conference at the White House
was the outstanding development of
the day in the international situation.
The President is understood to have
explained the American governments
position and to have reiterated that II
was based on legality. 1t is believed
the ambassador was told that If the
German government could conduct it's
submarine warfare in. accordance with
the dictates of humanity, in a way
that would not endanger the lives and
property of neutrals, there would be
no objection 10 the use of underwater
craft rs n commerce destroyer The
exercise of the right Of visit and
search, however, the President is said
to have explained. would be insisted
on when submarines encounter un-
armed merchantmen or vessels which
do not resist capture.
In some wcll-informed quarters the
conference was discussed as likely to
lead to important results with respect
to the general European situation
While the President. it is believed, in
Continued on Third PaCe.)