Evening journal., 1915-05-20
Bv The United Press.

BY The United Press
WASHINGTON, May 2O.--With Presi-
dent Wilson back az his desk, interest in
the international situation again became
acute today. The fact that German
newspapers, which while he was away
inclined TO be conciliatory, are all re-
ported today 10 be demanding that the
Kaiser defy the United States was con-
sidercd significant. II was intimatod
here that this change was in response TO
hints from the German government and
indicated that the reply viii propose
something in the nature of a compro-
mise In fact. the semi official Nos-
sische Zeitungs forecast OF the reply
suggested this. II says Germany will
agree 10 the American terms on condi-
tion that British merchantmen abandon
the use of false fagsi that England cease
arming merchant vessels and that Eng
land be forced TO stop carrying passen'
gers ON vessels transporting munitions.
As viewed by officials here. the
first two points have no connection
with the situation at all. They re-
called that when the Lusitania dis
played the Stars and Stripes. run
ming from the Irish coast to Liverpool
the United States protested Captain
Dow lost his command for admitting
the story's truth, thus proving the
American case. though he acted under
the British Admiraltys order Since
then. so far as Is known here, there
has been no abuse OF neutral flags.
Since the early days OF the was, II was
stated also. no armed British vessels
have been permitted to clear from this
country. Concerning the question of
prohibiting passengers and munitions
on the same boat. II has practically
been decided that the United States
has no authority 10 act. Various sec
tions Of existing laws have been
Examined, but none has been found To
apply.
Aside from all such controversies
It Is pointed out in official quarters
that President Wilson took the ground
that humanity demanded that vessel.
suspected OF carrying contraband bs
held up and examined. and then, Il
sunk. that ample time be given pas
sengers and crews TO get Off he held
that submarines cannot do this, 50
the only way TO safeguard Americans
and other neutrals was TO abandon
submarine warfare
II was again insisted today on
White House authority that the United
States was fully determined that there
should be no bargaining The de-
mands made upon Germany are be-
lieved. II was said, TO be in strict
accord with the principles of inter
national law and all the United States
has asked is what Il considers It's
! legal rights If Germany tenders
a counter proposal. which apparently
is the best the German newspapers
expect. II was understood the United
States will reject il. unless il acknowl-
edges the justice of the general Ameri-
can position and will ask fatty for
the acceptance or rejection of that
position. II was conceded that this
will Immediately precipitate a crisis,
though officials said they believed. IN
such case. Germany having tried
compromise and failed. would mako
the best of the situation and agree to
the American demands.
Several dispatches from Ambas-
sador Gerard, at Berlin. were placed
before the President today. They
were understood to have told of vari-
Gus unofficial conferences between the
Ambassador, the Imperial Chancellor
and the Foregn Minister. Il was
said with authority. however, that the
! Ambassador explained he had no in
formation as to what the final German
position would be.