Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-29
pESPREAD SPECULATION
IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES

IN OFFICIAL. CIRCLES
AsH1NGTON. May 2s.-The passing
"o weeks with no reply from the
man government to the note from
United States concerning violations
american rights In the war zone has
sed widespread speculation in ON
ana diplomatic quarters.
NO circumstances contributed to the
7elorment to-day Of further tension
already delicate situation-thc in
ence OF reports from London that
american steamer Ncbraskan was
'edoed instead OF mined. and pub
cd intimat!cns that Germany would
a series Of notes In answer to tho
ierlcan communication. delaying
ussion or the merits OF the question
there was an agreement on facts.
nile high officials scrupulouslv
ided comment. il was evident that
were loath TO believe the German
eminent had underestimatcd the in
. 'e feeling OF tho American people
he Lusitania disaster. with the loss
more than 100 American lives. or
ld seek to delay the reparation de-
Ilded by the United States.
ount Won Bernstorr. the German
u'assador. confirmed the London re-
Es that he had sent wireless mes
IS TO the German Foreign ONCE de-
Ing the American press was be-
Ing impatient over the delay in
ling the German reply, and that
Nebraskan incident had aggravated
. situation. II was explained at tho
assy that the ambassador was not
8ressing his own opinion in these
sages. hut merely keeping his gov
nent informed as usual on the state
,ublic opinion in the United States.
OFFICIAL REPORTS
AS TO CONTENTS OF REPLY
erlin press dispatches saying that
oassador Gerard had been in daily
ferencc with German Foreign Once
iels and therefore rroba bly, had sent
ldvance tho main points to be CON
ed in the German reply. were
wn TO Secretary Bryan tonight. lie
that while the amba ssador had
his own conjccturcs. nothing that
d he called an outline had been
lived. and that he was not aware
any official information had been
IN as to the contents of tho reply.
: he general trend OF comment in
= ial and diplomatic quarters was
II the preliminary note from Ger
by proposed an agreement on the
Of various cases mentioned in the
arican note. there would follow
hediately counterproposal from
sident Wilson for suspension of
marine warfare. which might en-
ger American lives or vessels while
= diplomatic discussion was In prog
Inc German government, according
published reports, is represented AS
itania was armed or unarmed. and
ther she carried munitions Of war.
position of the United States gov
4nent is that the Lusitania sailed
rmcd from an American port, and
not resist capture. Whether or
the vessel carried contraband of
character did not, in tho American
s, deprive her of the right. under
: rules of international law uni
ortunity to transfer crew and ras-
gers to a place OF safety before
lg destroyed.
TIsH LINER FOUND
TO BE ENTIRELY UNARMED
ncials pointed out, moreover. that
British liner by careful invcstiga-
= before sailing. was found to be
rmed, and that there was no denial
of the fact that she carried mu-
ons Of war. This was shown on her
0tifest published the day OF sailing
ector Dudley Field Malone. of the
Of New York. who was in Wash
ION tonight for a conference with
.ident Wilson on what were de-
he'd as personal matters, explained
his assistants had made thorough
stigation of the Lusitania, and that
had no guns aboard, either mounted
lismounted.
lfcials still were noncommittal to-
about the explosion aboard the
mer Nebraskan. Ambassador Page
ed that he expected affidavits from
captain and crew OF the Nebraskan,
did not reveal their nature. AS yet
Washington government does not
w positively whether n mine or tor
caused the explosion.
he reports OF the naval attaches Of
American embassy at London are
scted to throw light on the subject
Continued on Fifth Page.)