Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-13
President Formally Demands Strict
Accounting for Loss of Ameri-
can Lives in So.Called
War Zone.
READY FOR ANY EvENrUAdTY
Note, While Friendly in Tone, is
Phrssed in Unmistakably En-
phatiO Language
MEETS VIEWS OF ALL ADVISERS

WASHINGTON. May 1s.-The
United States government, in a note
to Germany today. formally demand,
OF the Imperial government strict
accounting for the loss OF American
lives in the sinking of the Luoitania
and violations of American rights in
the war zone. II also asks guaran-
tees that there will be no repetitica
of such events or practices.
With the plain intimation in it
that the United States is prepared tc
meet any eventuslities that may arise
from a noncompliance. the communi-
cation, phrased in unmistakably en-
phatic language, was prepared to be
cabled to Berlin by nightfall.
Written by President Wilson and an
proved unanimously by the cabinet the
note was being carefully examined py
Counsellor Lansing and tho law offices
OF the government AZ the state depart
ment today to make sure that its phrase
oioEy covsred every point OF law involved.
Statement for Prerident.
The White House officially announced
tho fact that the president had finally
determined the course OF action to be
pursued in the following statement ISSUED
by secretary Tumulty after a conference
With the president:
The course Of the president has been
determined. II will be announced Just
as soon a. II is proper 20 publish the
noto now In preparation"
Thfa al a..
American government. observing the usual
diplomatic amenities, would await the re-
ceipt OF the communication IN Berlin be-
fore making II public. At first there was
some suggestion that the communication
be sent personally by the president TO
Emperor William, but Mr.. Wilson deter
mined that II should ybe addressed not to
an individual. but TO the German govern
uaept and through u to tho German
peopie.
Fsrotess is I'm Name OF Law.
| "A fer repaxatinn. tae UNITED states
naturally will seek financial reparation,
but its protest now Is In the name OF in
ternaiionai law. and humanity 10 obtain
a guarantee that such tragedies will not
be repeated and the lives OF noneona-
batants sacrificed ~.
The communication lays stress on the
inhumanity of the attacks without warn
ing on merchant vessels. II reviews in a
general way every case in the war zone
in which the rights OF American citizens
have been transgressed-the sinking OF
the steamer Falaba. with the loss OF
Leon O. Thresher. an American; the at
tack by German airnien on the American
steamer cushing the torpedoing OF the
American steamer Outright while flying
the American flag and finally the destruc-
ton of tho LusTtania, with the loss OF
more than 1000 noncombatants, more than
100 Of them Americans,
The note. while firm and pointed. does
not abandon tones OF fFiendIiness. giving
room for a disavowal by Germany OF its
acts or an abatement OF its practices
This Is intimated IN the suggestion that
the German government and the German
people could certainly not have intended
70 sacrifice American lives in the pur-
suit of their maritime warfare.
Advertisement. Not. Recognized.
Attention Is called to the fact that
while advertisements of warning ap-
peared in the newspapers the United
States government was never officially
informed OF It. but Irrespective of that
the position 10 taken that the serving Of
notice 10 do an unlawful act neither jus-
titles II nor makes II lawful
The note calls for an explanation from
Germany OF it's past and future course
and leaves open the steps the United
States will take to compel an AcquIese-
ence in its position,
Cabinet officers known as the sdvo-
(Continued on Para Two Column one \