The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-05

NOT EXCITED BY GERMANY'S
EvAsIvE NOTE.
He Has Expressed no Opinion But
Confidently Expected That His Rc-
ply Will Strongly Reiteratc Deter
mination To Hold Germany 10 Strict
Accountability.

tional crisis which has arisen so as
TO leave no doubt abroad OF the coun-
try's purpose not only to speak. but
~ necessary to act. for the cause Of
humanity.
Two things were virtually deter
mined on by the president today.
First. that Germany's avoidance
Of tho larger questions of humanity
d. anf the spirit OF international law by
technical argument on a hitherto
undisputed point In the status of
nations--the exercise OF the right OF
visit and search by war craft when
encountering merchantmen. whether
carrying contraband or not--must be
met promptly with a note again set
ting forth briefly the facts as found
by investigation OF officials here as to
the cargo and peaceful equipment of
the Lusitania and reiterating the
earnest intention OF the United states
TO hold the German government to a
strict accounta bility' for all VIOLA
tlons OF American rights on the high
seas.
Second. that. Notwithstanding the
critical situation with Germany. there
shall be issued tomorrow the state
ment which has been I'm preparation
for several days to be communicated
90 the leaders OF all factions In Mex
leo. serving notice that unless they
themselves bring to an early end the
deplorable conditions which their
warfare has wrouhgt. some other
means will be found by the United
States I'm the interest of humanity to
save the millions of -combatant
hexicans from the throes of starva-
ton and further devastation OF prop
erty.
Count Won Bernstorff. the German
ambassador. has been granted an in /.
terview with the president for We'd
nesday noon. but unless ne brings
some proposal from his government
answering the demands of the United
States differently from the note just
received from Dr. Won Jagow, the
German foreign minister-a circum-
stance which Is doubted In well in
formed quarters-the president s
course as framed by him in consulta-
uon with his cabinet tomorrow win
not be materially affected.
Tomorrow the president will lay be-
fore the cabinet both the German and
the Mexican questions. The effect OF
tho warning to Mexico, the president
hopes. will be the coalition within the
next few weeks OF the best elements
In the southern republic to form a
provisional government TO which the
United States and other countries can
accord early recognition.
The tense situation produced by
the reecipt OF AN unyielding reply
from Germany To- the request OF the
United states for reparation for tho
100 American lives lost In the sink
ing OF the Lusltania and guarantees
against the destruction OF American
lives or property In the future over
shadowed the Mexican problem as
vii as all other governmental activ-
tiles today.
The president--upon whom rests
the burden OF deciding the govern
ments foreign policy in the absence
OF ongress-sought solitude during
the early hours OF the day. as he did
In ;ho trying days Immediately at
ter the sinking OF the Lusitania. He
read a newspaper text OF the note. the
editorial comments. scores OF mes
sages. and went motoring-his IN
Vorite diversion when dcsrous OF un-
disturbed application to problems of
state.
The official text OF the communica.
tion. differing only In phraseology
from the press translatlons. reached
the White House just before noon as
the president started for Arlington In
attend the memorial exercises OF the
q. A. X. and the dedication of the
Maine memorial.
just what the president will pro.
pose to his cabinet tomorrow was
matter OF wide conjecture tonight.
There was a noticeable confidence.
however that Germany having failed
to yield In principle or fact to the
American point OF view the president
would suggest a course following logi-
cally the strong expressions i'm the
note OF May Is.
Some OF those familiar with the DO.
sition OF high officials said the note
To be sent by the United states would
probably he very brief and would be