The weekly soliphone., 1915-05-14

Wilson probably will reveal today
the text of his note to Germany on
the killing of Americans in the re-
cent sinking OF the Lusitania.
The draft was completed yester-
day and was sent to the state de-
partment, where Secretary Bryan,
who will sign it, framed it in ac-
cordance with international usage
with the expert assistance of Coun-
selor Lansing.
Both the President and Mr.. Bry-
an denied themselves to all callers
during the day, giving every min
ute of their time to consideration
of the vital subject which may Gre
ate the greatest crisis in the his
tory of the United States since the
Civil War.
The message, it is asserted. will
meet every wish of the American
people that this government act
with firmness in upholding the
]
belligerency. but will impress up
on the German government the de-
termination of the United States
to insist that its rights be respect
ed in every particular.
1t was stated at the White House
that the state paper would contain
about fifteen hundred words.
President Wilson first penned
it in shorthand, then transcribed
it on his own typewriter. No an
nouncement was made yesterday as
to whether the note had been re-
turned to the President for revis-
ion by the state department.. Nor
was it stated whether the document
had been cabled to Berlin. 1t is be-
lieved, however. that it will be on
! its way to the German national
capital today.
| While no indication is given
of the steps to be taken by the
United States in the event Of an
unfriendly reply, the note informs
the German government that the
American government will leave
nothing undon, either in diplomat
ic representations or other action,
to obtain a compliance with its re-
quests.
Early in the day it was intimat-
ed that it was President Wilson's
intention to take the American pub
lie into his confidence as soon as
the note was ready for transmits
sion.
In official quarters tacit confir-
nation of the substance of the note,
as outlined in previous mention,
was given. It will state. in effect,
that the United States is prepared
for all eventualities, but that hope
is entertained that American par
ticipation in the European war will
be prevented.
It may be said authoritatively
that damage claims will be subor-
dinated to a greater demand for a
discontinuance of the German sub
marine campaign against uAarmed
merchant vessels, neutral or 9TH
erwise.
On the broad ground ofAhuman-
ity the United States will seek to
convince the German government
that 1t should cease the wanton
violation Of international law.
and conduct its fight in strict ac-
cordance with the rules of CIVILIZED
warfare.
The opinion grew in Washington
yesterday. largely because Of the
absence Of contrary views. that the
President has determined that once
and for all Germany shall decide
whether 1t wishes to incur the en-
nifty of the entire world by the
constant commission of unneutral
acts, or whether it will cease its
submarine mistakes confessed in
a circular which recently eminated
from the German Foreign Office.
While it is agreed here that this
circular was intended to mollify
the American government, the be-
lief is general that it failed, because
of the omission of assurances that
men, women and children of the
United States may with safety ex-
ercise their right as neutrals to
travel the seas unmolested.
!, Aside from considering the ex-
act form the phraseology the note
of the American government will
take, speculation in Washington