The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-21
The President Will Assume
That Germany Accepts
His Principles.
TONE OF FINALITY IN
BRIEF DOCUMENT
Wilson Believes Country
Hasn't Been OutspOken
for Drastic Action.

WASHINGTON, July .0.--President
Wilson and his Cabinet agreed to-day
upon the terms Of what may prove to he
the last note to be sent to Germany in
defence of the right of Americans to
voyage on the high seas free from the
menace of attack by German subma-
gines.
The note reasserts the principles on
which the United States intends to stand
and makes Germanys conduct or her
submarine operations in the future the
test of relations that are to exist be-
tween the two Governments.
The note will be marked by its brew
ity and will carry a tone OF hnality
which win demonstrate the conviction
OIL the part of this Government that
further discussion OF the submarine is
sues along the lines of the last two
months seems futile.
The note will make 1t clear TO Ger
many that the future relations between
tho Two Governments will depend upon
her observance of the principles of in
ternational law, upon which this Gov-
eminent has stood from the first
M Hint Of Future ActlOn.
There Is no hint as to what course
In, United States may see ut to adopt
IN support OF this note. In fact the
PRESIDENT and lis advisers have been
content to draft the note. leaving 1t 10 de-
N,lupments to form basis for "A deci-
son as to the step that shall follow If
uerman, persists IN her attacks upon
American lives.
The note goes far In giving Germany
benefit of all possible doubt AS to her
Intentions The Administration is un-
derstood to have gone so far to ex-
press in the note the assumption that
Germany does subscribe to the Presi-
dents principles of law and humanity and
that she does not intend to commit tui-
ther attacks Oh Americans in violation
OF those principles.
This unexpected assumption is based
on the fact that this Government Is o.
ncially unaware OF any further German
submarine attacks on American life for
which Germany has not expressed regret
and also on the Introductory general
statements in the German note OF july 3.
such assumption is understood TO DO
due TO the desire of the President NOT
10 close in Germany's face the door Oh
any opportunity for ner to meet the
United States views without puDlic hu-
initiation and also for the purpose II
possible. of bringing her 10 uircct
statement as to her attitude toward the
Law and her intentions as TO practice.
IIu,It to triendl lneas.
On the other hand. those who are
familiar with the note are satisfied that
If after its receipt Germany commits
further attacks ou Americans the
United states will be compelled to re-
gard such attacks as unfriendly acts.
It was reported tonight that the
President had decided to go so FAR as
to inform Germany of this In the
forthcoming note. This report was NOT
confirmed. though there IL every rea son
t. believe that even If this statement Is
not made specifically, the Berlin GOV :
ernnent will have no room 10 douo.
what the attitude of this Government
VII be- in such ar event.
II may be said authoritatiVely tha'
the case of the Orduna VIII not "Su' {
In IN. note. At present THIS GoNerh'neht
has no official inforI alton to the eHeot
that the British liner with "A score Oh
Americans on board was the target io'
German torpedo fired without warn
Ing.
The Treasury Department mas oruereu
Collector Malone of New YORK 10 cor,
duet An investigation and the case WI,
be handled separately from the preSeh'
correspondence with Germany lnere
Will be 10 delay OF tn note pehuihs
the results OF this investigation
In considering the problem conironp
ing the country officials of the ADMIN
istration felt that the President to-day
faced the most difficult aspect OF the
submarine issue which has yet arisen
fl has been the aim OF the ADMIN
istration TO meet the wishes or the
American people which the President
attempted to ascertain through study
of uewspaper comment and through sucl
voluntary communications as were ihaos
TO officials.
The Conclusion Reached.
From these studies all members o.
the Cabinet and the President himsel
reached the rather paradoxicai corclu
Sion that while the country was appro,
Ing the Presidents stand on the primer
pies at stake. 1t had not been very OUT
spoken In demanding drastic action'
Widespread expressions or pupl!
opinion 10 the effect that the Presiden
must stand Arm. but also that ther
mus, he no conflict with Germany, hav
left Mr. Wilson and his advisers some
what confused as to what the countr.
really expects It's government to do II
fact. to state the situation frankly, ther
has recently developed considerable pes
tmlsm In official quarters as TO IN