The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-03
Learns Germany Must Declare
Principles Before Treating Of
Facts
NO OPTIMISM in
GOVERNMENT CIRCLES
Result Of Meeting May Be to
Apprise Kaiser Of Depth of
American Feeling Over Muir
der Of Citizens on High Seas

Washington June 2s--Count ron
HernstOrll, the German amhassa-
dor, learned from President W.T.
sons own lips today that the
United states win expect q dec
lnxation Of principles BY the Ger
man government before there can
be any discussion Of facts In re-
gard TO the German submarine
OpofattOns.
The German ambassador also learned
| that President Wilson stands firmly up
On the statements contained In his note
70 Germany: that he will take no step
backward. and that In this stand he ~
representing the wishes and Judgment
pf the American people.
Tonight the German ambassadors
dispatched to Berlin a long report
on nis talk with President wilson. and
on the feeling In this country In re-
Kard to the German reply to Pres
ident Wilson's note. This commune
cation was sent through the Ameri-
ran State Department, the President
having extended this courtesy to Am
bassodar Bernstorff as means OF
Elneurtng quick and certain commune
ration with the German government.
situation Serious.
The German ambassador. In his re-
BORT, has endeavored to impress upon
the Berlin authorities the seriousness
81 the situation, and the earnesfness
Of this government. Ii the German
foreign ONCE follows the advice OF
Count Won Bernstorff. IL will adopt
more conciiiatory attitude toward tns
United States.
The meeting between President Will
son and the German ambassador was
kzeutfrcly cordial and In the discussion
which took place between them Was
Vary frank. The German amhaxSa dor
earna away from the White House
hopefuiof the future. but no optimism
was apparent in administration cir
cles.
to put any large measure OF conf
denra lin the conference with the
Herman ambassador apparently grew
nut Of the fact that Count Won
Bernstorffs personal efforts and views
had failed to influence the Berlin
authorities In their preparation OF the
rNrsly to President wilson's note
furthermore, the German ambassa-
dor had sought the interview with
fha President on his own initiative
and not az the result OF instructions
from his government He had no new
proposals to make on behalf OF the
Berlin government
There il one feature OF the incident,
however. which many regard of Inn
slortance and as possible OF produc-
frw good results. IL the imperial gov
ernnaent has been In the dark as TO
the real sentiment In this country
and the arnestness and determine
|. sian snf the President. their eyes VIII
nov 81 opened. They will know from
President wilson's own lips that ne
meant every word in his note. in adj
liition. they will receive from the Ger
man ambassador a full statement on
the intense feeling of the American
public generally In regard to CERT
Inany's submarine operations. Many
here have felt that the German gov
Hrnment was not aware OF the true
sftuation IN this country, hat they were
Inclined to regard the Presidents note
IN the nature OF "blufK. and that
they really did not believe that the
Warrington administration would seri-
ously consider 4 rupture with Ger
many.
on these illusions. II they really
have been entertained by the Berlin
ofacfala, Count Won Bernstorffs re
ns,rt. sent through the State Depart
rnert. will throw . flood Of light. and
this feature in itself was regarded by
rsany here No distinctly encouraging.
II wse acknowledged, however. that
enc Importance OF today's develop
suents viii lie largely In the answer
is the question: How much influence
No. Count BernstCrn with the asithori-
10 In Berlin, who were responsible
/ 1or the Drafting Of the reply TO the
| Presidents notAf It Il known tnat
ne German Ambassador made sstr0ns
recommendation In favor or con-
Siilatory reply, but his views. appar-
2nfly. did not count heavily In the
Arafting Of the note.
"a Washin9ton ofQciAls were informed
tAsf the military element In Berlin
fh3 naval and war stAfesa and not
fhe foreign once controlled In the
RAINING Of tho reply 70 the Tinted
Iass Caal WIS., lBsief.
me German ambassador was with
fhe President hardly more than TWEEN
~ minutes. Arriving promptly al
Noon he WAS received BY the rresi-
Xenk in the Blue room. where the
go 1T on lounge and conversed. II
80 authcritativciy stated tonight
fhak both found themselves able 70
S0enk with ! decree of franisness
Nal 1nahIs1 Itch 10 Ses clear I'M
n XersfAnding 81 the position ~ the
III er. X Was understood IL advance
fhak the German AHabskssad dor came
iess q the idea Of subnatttins any
I ae1fntte proposals. than with the de-
|ssslrS IL ieaye nothing undons which
laht1 enahla him III ~ az aeExice 81
.7f@vins Z nftuation which Ii known
TN - deeply regretted by him
CA fhx ambAsshdor quickly embraced
@th3 opportunlty 70 connrm Whist has
&}E 81 Us
n lr50nfitusd u THIRD p1xss1