The sun., 1915-10-18
NOTE TO BRITAIN IS
SAID TO Be VIGOROUS
England Sees Attempt to PA
cate Germans. Here and
Abroad. Is View.
4 TEST OF NEUTRALITY
Tcutons' Eyes on Document
Wilson's Foes .tllcgc Plan
To Get Votes.

NNsHINGToS. oct. i-lntoi NATION
has reached Washington to the effect
that opinion IN Great Eri,ain is inclined
to Wow the coming American note TO
the Eritsh Government on the subject Of
interferences with Neutral trade as
rothing more than an attempt by the
Washington Government to placatc Ger
many and the Germans In the United
States
This view ~ sharc by british SYM
pathizers here TO a considerable extent
I, Is also the opinion Of some of the
political opponents of the present ad-
ministration. They say natly that the
forthcoming note represents nothing less
than bald attempt to win back the
German vote In this country in support
OF the Wilson Administration.
Such insinuations. of course. are much
resented In official quarters and en-
phatically repudiated. 1t Is declared
that the note. when sent and made pub
lie. will furnish abundant proof Of the
reasons why IL has been prepared by
setting forth the nature of the practices
and their detrimental effect upon
American interests and American rights.
The necessity for such "A note exists. II
ie declared. entirely ind 'pendcutly Of
the situation as regards Germany
Proof Of sincerity.
II is no secret. however. thai the
Administration is well aware OF the atti-
tude OF the German public toward the
coming note to Great Britain. Officials
have been fully informed that German!
looks to this note for proof OF the sim
cerity Of Americas claims to strict ncu-
tral!ty. |. has been made clear TO Wash
ington that ii the note to Great Britain
Is not as vigorous demand upon
the British Government TO respect the
rights OF American citizens as We're the
demands made upon Germany In the sub
, marine issue Germany will he greatly
disappointed.
1t has even been minated that II the
British note falls short Of the German
expecta tons In this regard II will be
taken by Germany as proof that the
United States is not really neutral and
is not sincere in its efforts 20 bring both
belliGerents to full observance of inter
national law on the seas. Consequently
with these facts ia mind officials here
are not indifferent TO the ,ffcc, OF the
note upon German publ" opinion.
II Is known too that officials here are
confident that the note II Great Britain
will satisfy IN. German view so fdr a.
anything short OF a threat OF war would
satisfy the extreme German view BE-
cause Of this attitude ON the part oi
those familiar with tn. contents or the
note there IL a general belief here tina;
the note is most vigorous IN its terms
There has developed in recent months
in Washington different attitude
toward note writing IN connection with
the present war than thai wlich existed
at the outset Of the troubles Of the
United States with the beligerents.
Coun, Won Bernstorff represented tuis
view when he urged that the German
and American Governments desist f.On
! "bombarding" each other with notes re-
| gartling the submarine issue and rely in
I stead upon direct negotiations as a
I means of bringing the controversy To a
settlement The Ambassador felt fha,
resent results growing out of the Arab,
/ case fully demonstrated the wisdom oi
his suggestion.
similarly the action OF the Admins :,
/ tration in writing another note TO C;rea,
! Britain is also regretted IN some qua Z
! ters. IL is declared that now that tht
/ British and American Governments have
( already discuss, d at length the issues .r
/ their controversy further note writing
/ can only cause irritation and will brn,
I no good results.
All subsequent notes, 1t is declared
( will necessarily he written more with d
view to convincing the public OF III,
/ country which is writing the note that il.
( Government is standing firm and yield
! ing nothing.