South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-13
Arrangement Would Mean That
Protection For Americans
at Sea Would be
Limited.
SEC'Y LANSING WILL NOT
GO TO SEE PRESIDENT
Chief Executive is Formulating
His Own Views at Cornish
German Note Leaves a
Bad Taste.

WASHINGTON, July Is. - Both
Pres't Wilson at Cornish and Sec'y
Lansing at the state department here.
devoted themselves today to the Ger
man reply to the American note on
submarine warfare, the indications be-
ing that the third American note will
be in tentative form by the time the
president returns to Washington
Sec'y Lansing began the preparation
of a memorandum to be laid before
the president which will represent the
attitude which the new secretary of
state thinks should be taken in the
renewed crisis. The president is said
to be formulating his own views at
Cornish, and when Mr. Wilson returns
10 the white house the reply to Ger
many will be discussed by the cabinet
and forwarded as quickly as possible.
That this government is bound to
turn down the counter proposals made
by Germany is not doubted in well in
formed circles here. Officials received
with qualification today apparently re-
liable press reports from Berlin that
Germany is prepared to make addi-
tional concessions in the event the
United States rejects the overtures
made in her last reply.
VIII Not Mark Ships.
Under no circumstances, it is be-
lieved, will the United States enter into
an arrangement TO mark" ships car
rying Americans for such an arrange
ment would signify that unless an
American is on q marked ship he is
without the protection guaranteed by
international law and the supposed
freedom Of the sea lanes.
1t is supposed the answer framed
by Pres't Wilson and Sec'y Lansing
will criticise unfailingly the failure of
Germany TO treat the Lusitania ira
gedy seriously. In her last reply Ger
many seeks to dismiss the Lusitania's
destruction with the suggestion that
Great Britain is really to blame be-
cause of the British blockade and
nothing is said about the reparation
twice demanded by this government.
IT was practically decided last night
that IL will not be necessary for Sec'y
Lansing to go TO Cornish, but instead
the plan was adopted of having him
consider the unsatisfactory German
reply here while the president gives
ii consideration at his New Hampshire
house
situation is Critical.
There is no concealment in official
quarters that the German American
situation is regarded as critical, but
by no means hopeless. The second
ment 10 direct questions asked by the
United States has left a bad taste. fig
uratively speaking, in the mouths of
official Washington. and Mr.. Wilson's
rejoinder is expected to be a document
that will demand. in the strongest
language permissible in diplomatic
correspondence, a specific promise
from the kaiser's government regard
ing the future safety of Americans at
sea.
The third note of the United States
is expected 10 point out in unmistak-
able terms that not only should Ger
many disavow the intent TO take
American lives, but she should offer
such reparatiOn as may be possible.
Germany's avoidance Of this point.
emphasized in previous American
notes. is the chief thing which nettles
administration official today.
Reports from Cornish are that the
president may return to Washington
Friday Of this week. and that he will
have by that time the answer TO Ger
many's last evasive communication.
If the resident returns by Friday the
German note Will be considered by the
cabinet on that day: otherwise. con-
sheraton OF he American answer will
probably b. postponed until next
Tuesday.