The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-31
[AISER DESIRES AN ARGUMENT
But PRESIDENT STANDS FIRM

ing, on the flotation Of large foreign
loans, the market for the latter would
be entirely changed and prices would
advance, instead of declining.
Greece and Roumania have been
halted in their war preparations
through lack of funds. England has
withheld cash because OF calls from
her allies, Russia and France II the
United States should become involve'
in the conflict against Germany, how
ever, the Balkan nations would have
little trouble in securing the. cash
! they need.
1t is conceded that there would be
| intense opposition to an American al
lance with any Of the big European
nations now fighting Germany. Our
| quarrel is not based on anything that
! touches on theirs. We have demand
ed that Germany respect American
| lives and national honor. Holland,
also a neutral, has made representa-
tions to Germany along lines similar
| to Americas because Of the Dutch
| citizens lost on the Lusitania. This
government could act with Holland,
but it Is not believed the administra-
| tion would advocate or congress sane
! ton, any entangling alliance with the
present belligerents.
It is carefully explained however,
, that as there is still chance of an
! amicable adjustment. No suggestion ~
! future plans is to be permitted to
! leak out at the present time that can
| be declared official Suggestions are
expected to be put forth by officials
in the nature of feelers, but until a
break is absolutely certain the presf-
dent and his close advisors Will main
| tain silence.
Rumors we're revived again that
| there might be cabinet division over
J the German suggestions of arbitra-
/ ton. Secretary Bryan has been a
consistent advocate Of arbitration be-
| tween all nations, as the sure way of
preventing war. While he has refus-
1 ed positively, publicly to indicate his
stand IN the matter, 1t has been per
sistently rumored that he wanted the
first note 50 framed that arbitration
j would be possible. The president and
! his advisors took the view, 1t Is un-
derstood, that this would be all right
! in the abstract, but unless Germany
agreed to modify her submarine war
| fare, arbitration could not be thought
Of. Secretary Bryan finally accepted
| this view and acquiescied in the
note. He may renew his suggestions,
but it is not believed they will be ac-
cepted. as the general situation re-
mains unchanged.
Instead Of golfing in which he SO
often INDUCES as a means of relaxa-
! tion in times of stress, the president
lof a. .,
day for an auto ride Though he was,
of course, familiar. through it's unofl-
cial publication with the terms of the
German note, the DECIDING Of the Off
cial one had not been completed so at
that hour he had had no opportunity
Of seein1-.t.
The chief executive did not even
take time for breakfast before send
| ing for the unofficial version of the
message and delayed eating until he
had read it carefully.
1t was hardly expected he would get
to the official translation short Of his
return from Arlington this afternoon,
or possibly before tonight.
British Comment.
| LONDON, May 51.-British evening
papers today unanimously predicted
that the United States will express
, her dissatisfaction with what they
fcalled the "evasiveness" Of the Ger
man reply.
They declared that Germany lodged
the main issue by refusing to answer
the demand that she cease torpedoing
, passenger carrying vessels. The Pail
Mall Gazetet ridiculed the German
claim that the Lusitania was an arm
ored ship carrying Canadian soldiers
and added that: IF the slaughter of
the Lusitania's passengers is defend
ed by the assertion that she was
carrying ammunition to England, we
wonder what excuse Germany will
offer for the attempt to torpedo the
! liner Megantic Sunday while she was
| outward bound for Montreal"
! The Westminster Gazette said the
! was expected" "It merely seeks to
gain time" said the Gazette.
Almost daily since the American
note was forwarded. the Germans
! have given the most practical eyi-
denca that they do not intend to dis
continue summarizing"
! The Birmingham Post. leading
conservative newspaper declared it
! believes President Wilson will regard
! the reply as most temporizing and as
| tantamount to a refusal" and that
"th.e people Of the United States will
support him in any action he may
! take"
The Daily Chronicle said the Unit
ed States would have no difficulty dis
| proving the German claim that the
| Lusitania was an armored cruiser.
"If President Wilson accedes to the
! demand for more delay. we imagine
! i! will be on condition Germany stops
summarizing in the interim" added the
! Chronicle. THE considerable time
which has elapsed since the note was
presented has been used by Germany
! to submarine number Of ships, in