The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-13

point of the preparation and dis
patch of the note. The next move,
he has very frankly said, Is Germany's.
This government can do nothing I'M
til the kaiser's government acts Su8'
gesuons that he call congress to-
gether Immediately in an extra ses-
sion, to prepare for national defense,
he has definitely rejected. His posi-
ton is that to take such action at the
present time would be a direct Insult
to a friendly nation which, despite the
sinking of the Lusttania, the loss OF
Americans and other apparent viola
lions of American rights, he holds
that Germany Will continue to be as
long as we enjoy diplomatic inter
course.
The president realizes, his friends
say, that even though the German
answer should be such as to cause q
break between the two countries.
there will be plenty Of time to take
whatever steps are necessary %
maintain the national honor. He does
not intend there shall be Any occa-
sion given to any nation to say that
the United States did not exhaust all
of the remedies of honorable diplom-
acy before going farther.
This, 1t was stated, does not mean
that the president is not alive to the
possibilities that drastic action may
have to be taken.
He already has gone over this with
the members OF his cabinet. At that
conference it was pointed out that
congress could be assembled in a
very short time; that so far as the
national debt is concerned. 1t is com
paratively significant and that a war
credit Of billion dollars for any
thing necessary could be voted in a
hurry and that because Of enjoying
this strategic position, the United
States should make haste slowly.
That Is what the president proposes
to do.
Stories that this government would
content itself with breaking off diplo-
matte relations with Germany, taking
no further steps in the event Of an
unfavorable reply to the note, meet
with little approval in diplomatic cir
cles. It is openly asserted that this
would be impossible. Germany. It is
pointed out, is probably the proudest
nation in Europe and breaking dip1o-
matte relations would be a blow to
that pride which almost certainly
would be deemed to demand drastic
action and would undoubtedly be fol
lowed by the immediate picking up OF
the gauntlet by the German govern.
ment
There also was disposition amons
officials to resent bitterly the toIer-
ant suggestions Of the British gov.
eminent leaders and British ne1spa
pers that In the event of war. the
United States should agree to speed
up her factories and keep the allies
supplied with munitions, possibly
I lending our very efficient fleet, but
not sending troops to take any part tr
/ the present attempt to crush Ger
many. This government, 1t was said
cannot accept any such suggestion
which 1t was agreed the millions oil
Americans Of German descent would
| be justified In resenting
Embassy Is Silent.
| WASHINGTON, May 13.-The Ger
man embassy believes Germany ant
! America can meet on the basis of the
American note, IL outlines Of the
notes contents az printed today are
correct The German embassy does
not say so officially, Ambassador
Bernstorr. in fact, refusing to tain
further than to issue an absolute de
NAL OF statement purporting to re
fleet the embassy's views. This al
legged statement declared Germany
reception Of the American demand:
would be a suave but firm refusal Il
accept the conditions laid down.
The formal statement by the Ger
man ambassador read:
THE German embassy stated toda.
that no statement or intimation ha!
been given by the embassy or an!
official of the embassy concerning
what response would be made to tn
American note regarding the Lusi
tania. Statements appearing in tn
press are to the effect that officials o
the German embassy have outline'
the position Of the German govern
ment towards the American note re
garding the sinking of the Lusitanft
. and have declared the reply would b.
a polite but firm refusal to cease sub