Evening star., 1915-05-11
German Statement Received.


Germanys official expression Of
deepest sympathy for the loss of lives
on board the Lusitana" and asserting
that the responsibility rests with the
British government was officially de-
livered to Secretary Bryan today by
Count Won Bernstorff, the German am
bassador 1t was received without
comment in administration Offices. but
unoficially it is understood that it will
have little force III swaying the atti-
tude of the administration.
dispatch from Ambassador Gerard.
at Berlin, was received today and sent
to the President, but its contents were
not revealed.
The evidence given by Capt. Turner
Of the Lusitania before the coroners
jury has been reported to the state
Department and will be used by Of
ficials in their study of the case.
President Wilson. in saying today
that his speech in Philadelphia last
night was not declaration of policy
in reference to the Lusitania disaster,
said he was not thinking of any spe-
cal matter, but of the newly natural
lied Americans in his audience.
Some Trying to Raise Gain"
The President used the expression
that he was thinking of the Cain"
some people were trying to raise
The President made it clear that he
was expressing a personal attitude and
not referring to any specific case. That
led to the belief in many quarters that
the President had not reached Il de-
cision in the Lusitania case and was
spea king his personal feelings as to the
ideal the United States should have IN
this situation AS well as other phases
of the Worldwide war.
1t was taken that he was endeavorine
to explain broadly that the United
States should seek to serve the cause
of humanity by using its influence 10
secure an adherence to the rules ana
principles of international law. wher-
ever they have been contravened
Decision Not Yet Reached.
decision on the policy to be followed
in the Lusitania case as soon as he
had all the elements in mind. For the
present he had nothing TO add. he said,
to his statement of last Saturday night,
which was that he was considering
very earnestly, but very calmly. the
right course of action to pursue, and
that he knew the country expected
him TO act with deliberation as we'll
as with tirmness
Although the general trend of com
ment was one of surprise at the lim
jtation which the President placed to-
day on the Interpretation of his speech.
those who have followed his speeches
closely pointed out that Mr.. Wilson has
frequently spoken implicitly ther
than explicitly.
Broader Than Single Incident.
While his Philadelphia audience was
impressed with the belief that the
President was referring specifically to
the Lusitania tragedy, the President
indicated by his remarks today that he
meant his speech to be broader than
single incident and cover the entire
subject of foreign relations as well as
the subject of domestic solidarity with
reference to the aliens who have be-
come naturalized in America.
The Philadelphia speech was inter-
preted by official Washington, never
theless, meaning that whatever
course is pursued .he United States
probably would endeavor to serve the
cause of humanity by appealing(to Ger
many TO end her submarine warfare
against unarmed merchant ships carry
ing non-combatants.
May Address Emperor William.
In some quarters the suggestion was
made that the President might forego
the usual means of diplomatic CORE
spondence and address a message in
person to Emperor William. 1t was
pointed out by persons hitherto in the
Presidents confidence that he might
first try to prevent a recurrence of such
an attack as was made on the Lusi-
tania taking up, subsequently. the
question of reparation for the loss of
American lives
Germany's disavowal of any Intention
to destroy American lives was looked
upon. by many officials as significant Of
Germanyts desire to maintain friendly
relations with the United states. and
that her main purpose was to terrorize
Great Britain and paralyze transatlan-
tic commerce.
with stern faces. from the cabinet
chamber after the regular cabinet
meeting gave no intimation of what
the nation may expect or when 1t may
be expected
Cabinet in Session Nearly 3 Hours.
The cabinet was in session for nearly
three hours, the longest meeting held in
several months None OF the members
would DENY that the Lustania tragedy |
had been discussed, but all refused abso- !
.utely to comment.
Secretary Bryan, when pressed with
questions, declared: I'VE must not dis |
,uss what occurs at cabinet meetings. |
Secretary Daniels. asked whether the At |
Iantic fleet would pass through the .