Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-31
WASHINGTON HOLDS
GERMANY EYADES
WILSON DEMANDS

Continued from Page one)
ship was painted on It's sides IN letters
six feet high and that It was possible
for a submarine commander to see them.
New German Warming.
Incidentally the state department re-
ceived from Ambassador Gerard today n
circular issued by the German govern
ment warning neutral vessels not to keep
their names inundated at night and bear
a. many distinguishing marks at night as
possible so there would be no possibility
OF mistaken attacks
Secretary Bryan referred Inquirers to
an examination OF the facts as given out
In n formal statement during the day.
He said also that he had received up to
late hour tonight no word as to when
the German note would be received mere,
but on the assumption that II had been
presented 10 Ambassador Gerard this
forenoon. he estimated that with the
time required for translation from Ger
man in Berlin and the decipherinR OF the
communication II might not reach WASH
ington until late tomorrow. Messages
have been delayed on an average OF
twenty-four hours in coming from Berlin
to Washington via Copenhagen ard Lon
don-the route by which official messages
are sent 10 the State department.
Answer TO Charge.
The claim OF Germany that the Lusi.
tania was built az an auxiliary cruiser
and was carried on the British navy Lists
as such IL met with the statement that
the British government had never pub
lishsd the Lusitania on It's navy list and
that such action was necessary before IL
could be considered an auxiliary cruiser.
Also, the Lusitania carried no guns either
mounted or dismounted, according to the
investigation by Collector Malone OF New
York before the vessel sailed There has
been distinct understanding between
tho United States and Great Britain. Il
was stated. that none OF its merchantmen
sailing from the United States would be
armed The fact that merchantmen
subsequently might become an auxiliary
cruiser IL recognized az a possibility, but
the United States has always understood
the British position to be that such a
change could not be accomplished during
a voyage and only IN a home port.
The carrying OF arms and ammunition
10 not contrary to American law. as the
German reports claim federal statutes be-
ing directed against the transportation OF
aeif-exploding material. from which class
official rulings for many years have ex-
! cluded fixed ammunition.
Considered Irrelevant.
0erTnany's contention that II Il impos-
able 10 settle the question OF whether
proper opportunity was given the passen-
gers 70 escape until Il IL determined
whether the Lusitania was equipped with
the lifeboats and appurtsnRnces provided
for In regulations adopted after the III.
tanic sank, was looked upon in official
quarters as Irrelevant, because II was
pointed out the torpedolnE OF the Lust
tania without a moments warning made
Il impossible TO launch such lifeboats as
the ship did carry.
From the brief outline. Il was not be-
iieved that the German note went beyond
the circular OF May II. which promised
TO express regrets and make reparation
for mistaken attacks On neutral vessels
in the American note OF May - II was
pointed out that such promises did not
remove the dangers to which Americans
and their vessels were subject.
Causes disappointment.
The absence In the forthcoming note OF
any promises to safeguard American lives
on unarmed merchantmen OF any ma
tiOnaiity and the failure 70 dlsavow in
tsntion to destroy American lives on tho
Lasitania produced a feeling Of distinct
disappointment IN many quarters.
Speculation was widespread as to the
Warrington governments course. II was
believed the German note would be
promptly answered with . statement OF
facts as understood by the United States
ana Q Federation OF the demand for
reparation for past events and guaran-
tees as 10 the future. This prediction
was based. however. on no comment from
the white House, but on the general
trend OF comment among officials ia
miliar with President Wilson's viewpoint
as expressed on previous occasions.