The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-06-03
WILSON AND
BERNSTORFF
5 In CONFAB
NOTHING MADE PUBLIC But
PLAN OF UNITED STATES
Is UNCHANGED.
Views Exchanged on Delicate Sit
uation-Opinion Divided
As To Its Effect.

WASHINGTON. ID. C., June a.
President Wilson emphasized IN an In
formal talk with Count Won Bernstorif.
the German ambassador. today the
Intense feeling OF the American peo-
pie over the sinking OF the Lusitania
End other violations OF American
rights on the high seas. and impressed
upon him that the United States must
insist on an adherence by Germany to
the accepted principles of interna-
tional law as they affect neutrals
No announcements were made after
the conference. which had OeeD ar
ranged az the ambassadors request.
but II was said authoritatively that
there would be no change IN the plan
of the President and his cabinet to
send In response TO the German reply
10 the last American note an inquiry
10 ascertain definitely whether the i'm
perial government will abide by in
ternatiOnal law or follow its own
rules OF maritime warfare. The note.
which Is being written by President
Wilson. will be dispatched before the
end OF the week
In twenty minutes conversation the
President OF the United States and the
personal representative OF Emperor
William exchanged views on tine deli
cate situation which has arisen i'm the
relations between the two countries.
Their meeting was cordial. their con-
versation friendly. and both discussed
fundamentals and not details Count
Won Bernstorff later told friends that
the interview had been satisfactory.
aud that the President had spoken
clearly and frankly. The ambassador
felt very hopeful when ne returned to
his embassy. He believed the report
which he prepared for transmission
10 Berlin would enlighten the German
foreign Office on the true state OF the
American governments opinion and
pave the way to a better understand
ing.
Opinion Divided.
In official and diplomatic quarters
opinion was divided as to the effect of
the conference. Some thought Il would
be beneficial and bring from Ger
many a conciliatory reply to the next
American communication. Others
pointed out that the German ambassa-
dor similarly was hopeful when Presi-
dent Wilson's note of May 13 was dis
patched. and that he recommended sew
eral methods TO the German foreign
office Of meeting the American posi-.
tion satisfactorily IL is an open se-
cret in diplomatic quarters. however
that the ambassadors suggestions were
not followed then and speculation was
widespread as to what influence his
communication OF today-expressing as
IL did the viewpoint OF the President
himself-might have on his govern
ment.
In view OF the difficulties which the
embassy has experienced in communl.
eating with Berlin on account OF the
cutting Of cables, IL Is understood the
President granted a request OF the
ambassador that the United States as.
sist him IN transmitting his message
concerning the delicate situation that
has arisen. The ambassadors report
OF his talk with the President will be
sent in code through the state de-
partment and will be delivered by Am
bassador Gerard.
Outstanding Development.
Ihe conference at the White House
was the outstanding development OF
the day in the international situation
Officials and diplomatists we're keeplv
interested in what took place. but thev
learned few details.
The President e. understood TO have
explained the American governments
position and 10 have reiterated that il
was based on legality. Il Is believed
the ambassador was told that II the
German government could conduct its
submarine warfare In accordance with
the distates Of humanity in a way that
would not endanger the lives and
property Of neutrals. there would be
no objection to the use OF underwater
(Contfnued on Pare EfzbtA