Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-02
WILSON WANTS
PLAIN ANSWERS
Will Brush Aside All Ger
many's Quibbles to
American Demands
MUST FACE THE ISSUE
Cabinet Agrees on Outline of Docn-
ment Which Will Insist Upon
Strict Accountability.

/" -
Washington, d. C. June 2-The es-
sential details of the United States
policy with respect to the German
note received were agreed upon at
a long session of President Wilson's
Cabinet yesterday. AT the end Of the
discussion there was absolute unan-
unity of opinion between the Presi-
dent and his advisers as to what
should be done.
Following is an authoritative sum-
mary Of the statement of the Ameri-
can Governments position, which
will be made by the note now being
formulated by the President in ac-
cord with this agreement:
First-The German Government.
will be informed that all Of the issues
of fact raised in it's reply are IT,
relevant to the vital issue raised by
the American note, and that an in
vestigation or discussion of these
facts would merely have the effect Of
beclouding the issue.
Second-It will be stated that the
German reply utterly ignores the
vital issue raised by the United
States.
Third-The United States will an
nounce that all of the complaints up
on which the three demands in the
Lusitania note were based are
grounded solely on the principal that
non-combatants aboard commerce
carrier are entitled under interna-
tional law and the humanities to an
opportunity to escape with their lives
before such vessel is attacked.
Fourth-Germany will be told that
the United States will not consider q
suggestion for arbitration unless the
practices complained against are
discontinued for the period in which
the issue to be arPitr9ted is under
consideration by the international
Tribunal. This would amount to q
reiteration of the demand for the dis
continuance of the German submarine
warfare, and it might be viewed as
conveying the inference that under
such O condition the United States
might assent to arbitration.
Fifth--The United States will
state that she will use every possi-
BILE means to prevent the violation OF
her rights as established by inter-
national law, merely because one bel
ligerent considers that second bel
ligerent has by act committed in this
war violated certain principles Of in
ternational law; and will say that
the United States will recognize only
such changes in international law as
may be made by the international
conference called at the end of the
war.
That the note will not be sent be-
fore Thursday is the prevalent be-
lief, because Count Won Bernstortf
the German Ambassador, has beer
granted an interview with the Presi.
dent. Its purpose has not been re-
vealed, but in Austro-German quar-
ters it is said Won Bernstein will en-
deavor by Informal discussion tc
reach an understanding as to the wish
of the United States for transmits
sion to his Government at Berlin, but
it is not thought likely that the AM
bassador's visit will alter the deter
mination reached at the Cabinet mett
ing.
The Cabinet did not fix upon tn,
steps that are to be taken in thu
event that Germany refuses our re
iterated demands. Three optiona
courses were considered. These are ;
declaration of war, the. seY Yerance o
diplomatic relations, and the estao
lishment of an embargo against Ger
many. The last named act woul
have the effect of throwing all tn
United States upon the side of Ger
many's enemies.