Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-09
AMBASSADOR GERARD
GETS GERMAN REPLY
Continued from rage One

Continued from Page One
formulating the next note, but It wal
stated In Administration circles that the
| Executive has determined the United
States, as chief neutral OF the world
cannot surrender single right under
international law.
II Is understood Ambassador Bern.
storff has already advised his Govern
] ment that the unofficial German sug-
| gcstions were unsatisfactory here and
| that he has been told that under exist
ing conditions" Germany had gone the
limit.
There was no attempt today TO disguise
tho disappointment officials felt. but the
hope was still expressed that the question
would finally be settled without dlplo-
matte break.
1t Ia understood that the decision Of
President Wilson not to discuss the Berlin
Governments views until after tho OIL
cial text had been received caused the
Kaiser TO determine to send the note, as
tentatively prepared. to Washington, and
that II will he practically in the same
form as the outline which was given con
fidentally to Ambassador Gerard for the
information Of the Chief Executive. This
outline us Cabled here by the American
representative in Berlin, II is known, is
not at all satisfactory TO the Washington
authorities,
The chief objection found TO Il. accord
ing to a high official, is that II fails TO
admit liability for tho sinking of the Lusi-
tanla when moro than 100 Americans
went to their death. II is understood
that the German view on this phase Of
tho controversy is that the Lusitanla was
torpedoed in the belief that the giant
liner would not sink as quickly as she
did and there would be ample time for ali
on board to escape or TO get tho wounded
ship to shore.
NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Germany's proposals that the United |
States inform the Berlin Admiralty as |
to the nature of the cargoes of Eng !
Iish ships sailing from American ports. |
It ia stated, cannot be accepted for tho |
reason that the giving of such informa- |
lion would constitute an unneutral act.
What this Government wants, I'm the
view Of officials close to the Admins
ration, is that Germany recognize the
as set forth by this Govern
nent, of visit and search of q merchant
ship that is unarmed and does not re-
list capture; also of removing passengers
md crew to places of safety before the
hip Is sent to the bottom OF tho sea.
The general understanding OF the atti-
ude Of President Wilson and his advisers
$ that until this principle is accepted by
Germany or some agreement is reached
m the broad subject OF the freedom of the
cas- this Government cannot consider
uggestlons for temporary arrangements.
Concerning the German proposal that
essels be marked as having non-con-
rnband cargoes and tho dates of their
atling be furnished the German naval
the opinion is held here that
uch arrangements should be made be-
yeen the belllgerents. II Is stated that
he Administration would be willing to
ssist the warning nations to make such
grcements which would insure safe pas
age of Americans on board belllgerent
hips, as they would apply only to a fixed
eriod and would entail no surrender of
lture rights Of the parties to the agree
tent.
UNNEUTRAL ACT.
It Is pointed out by experts In interna-
onal law that it would be an unneutral
ct to have American officials and Ger
ian consuls certify to vessels carrying
mercans into the war zone. The Amerl-
an Government is guarding closely
gainst such acts, and II was in line with
lis policy that the Navy Department
esterday took possession of the Sayville
ireless station. from which It was al
ged unneutral messages were being
int.
The situation. therefore, as n whole
as regarded by officials to have again
'nched the critical state, although there
i'll prevailed the belief in high Admin
tration circles that It was not hopeless,
nd that an adjustment of the differences
ith the Eaiser's Government ultimately !
ould be reached. {