Evening star., 1915-06-07
HAGUE SUGGESTION
REJECTED FIRMLY
IN j. S. REJO|NDER
Continued from First Page.D
within tho bounds of law and justice
in its treatment Of neutra1s.
Mr.. Bryan Sees President.


Secretary Bryan had a conference
with President Wilson at noon today
and is understood to have gone over
the final draft of the German note
with him. After leaving the President,
Secretary Bryan refused 10 say wheth-
er the President had given him the
note for transmission to Berlin or to
discuss the subject in any way.
German officials here estimate that
if the American note is cabled tonight
or tomorrow. reaching the Berlin for
reply probably would require a weeks
time, at least. and would not be here in
Washington much before June 20.
Count Won Bernstorff plans to go to
Cedarhurst, l.. l., during the coming
week He has removed the embassy
to summer quarters, as have many of
the other ambassadors and ministers.
Forceful Reiteration of First.
Offcials familiar with the contents of
the note said 1t was a forceful reitera-
tion of the principles expressed by the
United States in it's note of February
10. when the American government an
nounced that it could not admit the
right of the German admralty's proc
lamatiOn of a war zone to infringe in
any way upon the right of neutrals to
travel anywhere on the high seas on
peaceful merchantmen and that the
German government would he held to
strict accountability" for any viola
tions of American rights.
Suggestion has been made to the
President that the recent note from
Germany offering regrets and repara-
tion for the sinking by mistake of the
Gulfiight be cited in the new note as
proof of the American contention that
without visit and search the identity of
vessel cannot be esta tablished and the
lives of neutrals safeguarded.
The commander of the German sub
marine which attacked the Gufight
reported that he did not see the Amer
ican flag until "the moment of firing
the shot" Whether this idea will be
included is not known.
President Wilson went TO church yes
terday, took a short automobile ride in
the afternoon and spent the evening in
his study. still at work on the note
Secretaries McAdoo and Houston called
during the evening.
Germans Continue Optimistic.
In German quarters the optimism
which has been apparent since Count
Won Bernstorff, the German ambas-
sador, talked with President Wilson,
continued. the impression being given
that the road to an understanding was
much clearer than it had been since the
Lusitania was destroyed.
The belief is constantly expressed in
German quarters that the crisis over
the Lusitania case has passed. 1t is
frequently pointed out. too, that the
present correspondence over neutra.
rights may lead to a discussion of the
general subject of the freedom of the
seas.
Some German officials have suggested
that out of the exchange OF notes with
Germany, followed by further CORE
spondence with Great Britain on neutral
rights, the way may be opened even to
the making Of peace.
Attention for the present in official
quarters is fixed upon settlement of
the difficulties that have arisen be-
tween Germany and the United States.
and talk Of making peace in Europe is
heard much less now than months ago.