The Washington times., 1915-06-01
Not To Fence Over Issues.


Not To Fence Over Issues.
The Administration feels that the tenn
per of the American people will not
allow 1t to engage In any dilatory dis
cussion over questions of fact which are
not relevant and pertinent to the main
issue raised by the American Govern
ment.
This issue is less the past ofrenses of
Germany against Americans than
whether assurance Is to be given that in
the future Americans can expect Ger
many to carry on her sea warfare, es-
peciallv her undersca warfare, In ac-
cordance with the usages of the civilized
and shall not violate those
wanton destruction of non-combatants
in war.
Apparently Berlir has set out to fence
IN the usual fashion Of Old World diplo-
macy. The pressure of American feel
ing on the Wilson Administration is
such, Il Is declared, that II can do
nothing else than, say frankly to Ger
many what It means, what it wants,
and what 1t will insist on. The tenor
OF the German reply shows that the
German foreign office has either no
appreciation of the situation here or
does not care. Presumably, it fails to
nave any clear comprehension of the
In the present situation, with the pos
sibility that the United States will be
involved in the European Armageddon
factions apparently resentful of the
warming which President Wilson has
decided to give them, so that armed
force may be needed to bring them to
unpreparedness of the United States. 1t
u clear that II things continue to drift
from bad to worse, the Administration
will find 1t difficult to resist the demand
for an extra session in order that steps
may be taken to put army and navy
on better footing.
Rumors In Circulation.
In the absence of any official state
ment, President Wilson having ordered
his confidential advisers not TO COM.
plicate the existing situations by dis
cussing them. numerous rumors were
given wide circulation today. One most
heard was that Germany had sent
word to her ambassador to explain
that she was. willing to make material
concessions to the United States. but
that IT had been necessary to make
tory to prevent antagonizing the
military element.
There was no confirmation of this
report from any source: 1t seemed to
and was believed to be based on the
realization that the United States does
not propose to back down in any par
ticular, and that. therefore, If Ger
many wants the friendship of the
sions.
1t is admitted by some in a position
to know that Germany's reply is in
every respect at variance with the
recommendations made by Ambassa-
dors Won Bernstorff and Dumba to
their home governments. They faith
fully portrayed the wave Of indigna-
tion that passed over the United States
as result Of the Lusitania sinking
with its loss of women and babies. and
told their governments that the United
states was unanimous in condemning
It; They suggested that every pos
siole concession be made to the United
States, and that an offer be made to
make reparation for the loss Of Ameri-
can lives. But. according to the infor-
nation reaching here the military
element dictated the reply
whether the ambassadors have since
received information that their sug-
gestions may later on be followed out
IS not known. Some officials are plac-
ing such an Interpretation on tomor-
rows conference between Count Won
Bernstorf and the President, but this
is entirely conjecture