The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-15
Won Bernstorff Denies Re ports That German Of ficials Here Have Fore cast General Refusal
DOCUMENT DELAYED
 IN TRANSMISSION;
 WILL BE READ TODAY
Official Washington Astir With Discussion of Situa-
 Whole Country Be- hind Presidents Attitude

Washington. May 14.-The note sent to Germany yesterday by the United States government as sequel fo the Lusitania disaster was delayed in transmission because of congested cables and probably will not be pre- scented by Ambassador Gerard to the minister of foreign affairs in Berlin until sometime tomorrow.
 Secretary Bryan received a message from Ambassador Thomas Nelson Page at Rome saying the note, which had been addressed to the American embassy there to be forwarded by telegraph. had ar rived at p. m. today and that in an hour and 40 minutes 1t had been copied and relayed to Berlin by telegraph via Vienna. The reason for the delay was not stated, but state department mes sages have frequently been held up in their circuitous routes because they are in code and require careful sending to assure accuracy of the cipher groups The note had been sent over the French cable from New York to Havre, and thence by telegraph through France to the American embassy at Rome.
 Inasmuch as it would require few hours to decipher the note, it was be- lieved by state department officials tf at 1t would not be ready for presentafip> untN late thtss aveninR, and unless Am bassador Gerard had arranged a special enga cement with the foreign minister it probably would not be read to MT. Won Jagow until tomorrow.
 Official Washington talked of little else than the note today. The practically unanimous approval given it in the edi- pf Afr1o the statement of governors. senators and members of the House was reinforced by an incessant stream of messages from persons of every political party and from variety of organizations and associa- tions President Wilson told his callers he was deeply grateful and appreciated the patriotic support that was being given him on every side.
 The President appeared somewhat re- 1ieved of the strain of the last week. This was due to the fact that there probably would be no further development in the situation until some intimaton came from Ambassador Gerard as to how the of ficials of the German government in- formally regarded the tone and requests of the note. Tonight the President went away on his yacht, the Mayflower, with members of his family for quiet trip to New York where he will review the lsAtantic fleet.
 In diplomatic quarters there was wide discussion of the note to Germany. Among representatives of the aAlied powers. the document was approved as well as by neutral envcys, many of whom obtained copies from the state department. The German embassy--the one place where 1t was natural to look for some inkling or \ intimation of what might be Germany s rposition remained silent, Count Won Bernstorff the German ambassador, in fact. called on Secretary Bryan with tho express purpose of warning him that none of the published stories were true which purported to give anonymous views of members of the embassy staff to the effect that Germany would refuse to meet the American notes suggestions. He asked cooperation of the state depart ment to prevent the spread of this mis- Information. and Mir. Bryan made formal announcement of the request.
 The German ambassador told inquirers ' later that he knew absolutely nothing of the position of his government be- cause he had received no communication and naturally would not until the note itself had been presented. He declined to discuss his own views for publication. Some of his friends indicated later that the ambassador was pleased with the friendly tone of the note and was himself
 hopeful and confident that the questions in dispute could be satisfactory settled
 through diplomacy.
 !. Expected Early Reply.
 In all quarters it was believed Ger many would not delay her reply. but that high officials of the German government would take it under immediate considera- ! .tion when it arrived in Berlin. The be- lief was held by well informed European diplomats that Germany would consider carefully the military advantages of con tinued attacks on enemy merchant ships and probably would consent to abandon them only if food supply were in some way guaranteed as German confidence IS stronR that the allies can be kept at hay in the eastern and western theatres of war indefinitely. The effect on Ger many's position of the possible entry o1 Italy into the war, however, IS another factor which trained diplomats think k, will be taken into consideration py Ser. many in determining whether she VII abandon her powerful weapon or attach ,-the submarine to destroy enemy com meree.
 The fact that Germany once before had agreed to give up her submarine warfare if she could obtain the unre' stricted passage of foodstuffs and raN materials to her civilian population was cor1mented upon by many diplomats as making 1t not difficult for her to com ply with the American position and satlsIs xDatlonal pride in Germany
 While the United States is expecting nprompt action from Germany in guaran teeing that there will be no repetition of such a tragedy as the sinking of tn LuAtAnia, diplomatic discussion of thu vital issues ra194d. on points of maritim' law probably would not be rejected b' the American eoterpment f. as man,
 diplomatists think, qefmanv would ? her own initiative sdgp4nd all submartn' liG1renf nntinnalfty 18l1f notes were be 3n9 oxchaQgal.