Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-01

Lusitania, therefore. was n peaceful
merchantmen, entitled to the right OF
visit and search and the transfer OF
her passengers and crew to places OF
safety previous to any attempt to de-
stroy any contraband of war aboard
her, il is believed the United States
will insist upon disavowal of such
acts, and guarantee that German sub
marine war shall be conducted in the
future along humane lines. assuring
Americans Of the safety of their lives
and their ships on the high seas.
PROPOSALS OF GERMANY
WILL NOT DE CONSIDERED
Proposals on the part OF Germany to
protract the argument with afidavits
alleged TO be in the possession of the
German embassy here to prove that the
Lusitania carried guns. will not be con-
sidered, in view of official knowledge
here that the ship was unarmed
Moreover. the government Is expected
to point out that during the present
discussion the American steamer
Nebraskan has been torpedoed by a
German submarine.
The admission OF the German adj
miralty, announced to-day in a report
from Amba ssador Gerard that the com
mander OF the submarine which tor
pedoed the Gulfiight did mot notice
the American flag" on the Gulfiight
until after he had fired the torpedo is
another circumstance to which it was
thought probable the United States
would point as proof OF dangers TO
which American vessels are subjected
by the reckless methods of German
submarine commanders.
The conference between the Presi-
dent and Count Yon Bernstorff on We'd
nesday was the subject of much COM
ment tonight. The amba ssador him
self would not say what his purpose
was. but from well-informed sources
1t was learned that he asked for the
interview OF his own initiative with
out instructions from his government,
and that he wishes to impress the
President with his desire to do every
thing possible to avoid rupture. The
am bassador has had much difficulty in
communicating with his foreign office.
as the cables are in possession OF the
allies. Some of his friends state that
his efforts to induce the German gov
eminent to send a conciliatory an
swer to the American note failed
largely on that account.
There was a distinct disappointment
manifest at both the Austrian and
German reply. Both ambassadors were
understood 10 have endeavored to OBJ.
tain a response that would satisfy the
United States. There was some init
! nation that the Amrican note of Nav
IL might have been interpreted in Ber-
! lin ms meaning n demand for the ces-
sation of all submarine warfare
against enemy ships. instead of a sug-
gestion for the modification of sub
marine activity so tina, noncombatants
and neuirafs would not he endangered
Another suggestion made by we'll
informed diplomats was that the Ger
man government had become con-
WINGED of fixed purpose Of the United
states 10 remain al peace in any even
tuality, and that this impression had
followed from the Washington gov
Mexico
WANTS DEFINITE IDEA
OF PRESIDENTS WISHES
There was a report current in diplo
matte circles tonight that the Ger.
man ambassador wished to elicit from
the President a definite idea of VIVA,
he would like to have the German gov.
crnment do, and that Count Won Bern.
! storft, moreover. might seek to Learn
| what the position OF the United States
would be with reference to foodstuff.
| and Shipments of conditional contra
! band embargoed by the allies if Ger.
| many acquicsced in the views of the
| United States. 1t was predicted. too
| that he probably would seek to i'm
| press upon the President the oppor.
! tunity now presented for the United
! states TO secure an adherence to in
| ternational law by the allies as we'll n.
| Germany, and thereby by gradua
stages point the way to general peace
/ Count Won Rernstorn is known Il
have told friends that through an argu
ment on the freedom OF the sea" on,
/ OF the foundation stones for the re
/ storation Of peace in Europe would b,
] laid.
! From all quarters familiar with III,
/ German point of view here, the dcsjr,
| OF Germany to continue the neEotia
tons was apparent. the hope being tina
! further exchanges would bring the tw,
governments to close understanding.
In the event of another unfavorabl
answer from Germany, the severance
OF diplomatic relations by the Unite,
states is regarded by many as tn
natural step. Beyond that. officials an
diplomats have INDUCED in little specu
| lation so far
Suspicious Chnrnctcrs
l. H. DeShazo. thirty-two. and L. +