Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-10

V6nlfOn OF law "Ou1u tHe Situd
ton to a sharp and critical juncture
which would make difficult the con-
t:nuance of friendly relations.
Treatment OF the Lusitania case, how
eve. seemed, in tho view of some officials,
TO offer possible obstacle to a prolonga-
ton of negotiations as the United States
asked for disavowal OF the act and re-
ceived none
Both the White House and State De-
partment gave their normal Saturday ap-
pearance of quiet. Some of the cabinet
members were away for the week end
and the half holiday cleared executive
quarters early Of officials.
Probable q. s. Action Discussed.
Everywhere in official quarters the
unsatisfactory character Of the reply
was discussed along with the probable
action that the United States would be
compelled to take as a result Of Ger
many's unwillingness to concede to
Americans the right to travel on the
high seas on peaceful merchantmen
of any nation ality.
omcials familiar with diplomatic prece-
dents and the progressive development Of
the American attitude believed that, hav-
ing stated its position and asked for as
0MAnces which now have been refused.
the only course left open for the United
States seemed to be an announcement
that 1t intended to assert its right as es-
tAblfshed under the rules Of international
United States would await a violation by
Germany before taking action to compel
respect for the rights asserted.
Talk Of severing Relations.
There was a revival Of talk concerning
the severance Of diplomatic relations It
10 recalled In Official circles that in tho
now famous cabinet meeting OF May IL,
when the sinking Of the Lusitania was
first considered. there was an informal
understanding that il the negotiations Of
the United States to obtain reparation
from Germany for the destruction Of
American lives in that tragedy failed, the
American government might be justified
In disseminating diplomatic intercourse
with Germany.
For several days there has been an I'M
dertone OF disappointment and apprehen-
sion over what Ambassador Gerard in
formed the state Department that the
German note would contain. The feeling
has been, however, that nothing formal or
06ictal could be said concerning the
American position until the Official text ar
rived. President Wilson has been giving
quiet consideration to the character of
the reply and some OF his advisers already
have been making suggestions with refer
ence to the course that should be pur-
sued.
Analyzing the German answer today
omcials found little on which il appeared
that the negotiations could be further
prolonged. The United States had de-
voted It's attention to the principle that
Americans should be able 10 travel on the
high seas on unarmed and unresistins
oelligerent merchant ships Of any ma
tionality in accordance with previously
recognized principles OF international law.
Assurances had been asked that be-
fore any destruction would be at
tempted the visit and search Of peace
full vessels and the transfer of pas
Ay@ - nj ~ SAHv
would be accomplished
Question Previously Ignored.
II was recognized that Germany in
It's latest note had ignored this vital
question and had shifted, now en-
phasizing the conditions under which
Il would promise complete immunity
from danger TO Americans travelling
even on American ships. situation
which since Germany's circular note
with reference to neutral vessels re-
ceived May II had not been called into
question.
The expression by Germany of q
confident hope" that the United State,
Will assume to guarantee that those
vessels have no contraband ON board
details Of arrangements for the un-
hampered passage of these vessels &c
be agreed upon by naval authorities OF
both Sides left the Implication in the
hAhos VI many OInCldle tnAt herman
was prepared to destroy American pas.
sanger ships II they were found to be
carrying contraband.
Even though passengers and crow
OF o neutral ship were transferred &c
. place OF safety. tho destruction OF
the vessel for carrying contraband hal
been held by the United States to Ia
in violation Of international Law az.
cept in an extreme case.
With reference to destruction n
American ships. such destruction hs,
been held specifically to be in Violation
OF the Prusstan-Amsr ican treaty O
1873 It was recalled that in the las
note which Germany sent on the Fry,
case this treaty was given . new in
depreciation in that the right to sto,
American ships carrying contraband
and even destroy them. was declared 70
from the language Of the treaty
Justi1ies Sinking Of Ludtania.
The reference in the new note Z,
the Lusitania tragedy created a pro
found Impression. After having aske,
the United States in the first place T.
consider that the Lusitania was 1,
reality IN armed auxiliary cruiser an,
carried high explosives which tn
American government in Its note con
tradicted with onlcial information, tn
German government, 1t now seems, Ia
informally justified the action Of tn
submarine commander in sinking tn
vessel. thereby refusing to disavoW III
act as the United States had requested
The statement that the German sub