Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-06-01
GERMANY'S
ANSWER Is
AVASIVE
Waits Two Weeks, Then DOdges
a Direct Answer to Lusi-
taaia Note.
PRESIDENT WILL STAND PAT.
Hint That We Are On Verge Of
Breaking off Diplomatic
Relations.

Washington, May 31.-Germany's
reply to the American note sent at.
ter the sinking of the Lusitania was
delivered to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin Saturday. 1t does not spe-
cifcally answer the American repre-
sensations concerning the sinking of
the liner, nor the demand tor the
discontinuance of submarine warfare
on merchant vessels. These points
are left for further negotiations.
The Berlin note expresses regret for
attacks en- American vessels, which
are said to have been unintentional.
Compensation is offered in cases
whereinsGermany is shown to have
been at fault. The note charges, as
a basis of negotiations, that the Lus-
itania was a British naval auxiliary,
carrying mounted guns as well as
troops and munitions. The United
States isaasked what steps have been
taken, if,any, to induce Great Brit
ain to depart from its policy of cut.
ting off Germany's inaportations' of
food supplies.
The avaeive nature ef thereby
has produced a feeling Of profound
disappointment here. Dissatisfac-
ton at the failure of Germany to
answer the demands of the United
Estates was reflected in government
circles generally.
There was little concealcnent any,
where that the answer from Berlin
had produced a grave situation in
the relations between United States
and Germany.
The Official text from Ambassador
Gerard will be placed before the
President early today. There will
be a cabinet meeting Tuesday.
PROMPT ANSWER EXPECTED.
From a previous knowledge of
President Wilson's position, it was
generally predicted that prompt
answer would be sent to Berlin, per-
haps within "a to Al hours. This is
expected to give the American gov
eminent understanding of the facts.
that the Lusitania was unarmed and
carried 20 concealed guns, that she
sailed from the United States a
peaceful merehantman, and that UNI
der all rules of international law
and humanity, the vessel should have
been visited and searched and her
passengers transferred to a place of
safety, whether she carried smmuni-
ton or not. American law does not
prohibit ammunition from being car
ried on passenger ships. it will be as
serted. but only self.exploding ma
terial, and liners in the past have
been permitted to carry arms and
ammunition by special ruling of the
Gtate department of the meaning of
federal statutes.
Germany's failure even to discuss
the reparation demanded by the
American note and evasion of the
request that guarantees be given
that American vessels and lives be-
not endangered in the future are the
main points. however, to which the
United States government. it was
generally believed. would advert in
the second note. The expression of
regret and offers of reparation for
unintS6tional attacks on neutral
ships are expected to have little
weight in determining the nature of |
the response of the United States.
When the note of May 10, was sent
it was pointed out that such promises
did not remove the risks to which |
American vessels and lives were sub
jected-and to support this conten-
ton, the United States will add. it is
said. that the American steamer Ne
braskan was torpedoed without warn
ing within the last few days.
ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES. |
While II is generally thought the