Evening star., 1915-06-05
Expects to Put the Finishing
Touches on Latest Com
munication Today.
MAKING MINOR CHANGES
IN ITS PHRASEOL OGY
Will Be Sent to State Department to
Be Cabled Tonight or Tomorrow
to Ambassador Gerard.

President Wilson today was
putting the finishing touches on
his latest note to Germany con-
eerning the sinking of the Lusi-
tania. 1t already had been ap-
proved in principle by the cabinet
All that was needed today to start
the communication on its way to
Berlin was the making Of minor
changes in phraseology. This
was the task before the President.
The President was expected to
complete the work of revision
during the day. The note then
will be sent to the State Depart
ment for transmission by cable
probably tonight or tomorrow to
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin,
who will in turn present it to the
German foreign office.
Previous reports that the note
will be brief but emphatic are
borne out, it is said, by the text
as it now stands.
1t was emphasized by prominent gov
ernment officials today that Germanys
contention that the Lusitania was
war vessel and the claim that passen-
gers were warned against sailing on
the Lusitapia and did SO at their own
risk is not exactly correct
Germany's warning was general
against sailing on all vessels flying
the flag of Great Britain" The point
that Germany considered the Lusitania
a war vessel was not noted In the
warning issued from the German en-
bassy here through the press of the
United States.
Insists on Definite Answer.
In the note to Germany. approved by
the cabinet. the principle is fixed and un-
alterab1e-that the United States must
know definitely and very promptly wheth-
er Germany intends to ignore visit and
search rights and continue her practice
Of torpedoing vessels without warning
placing the lives Of noncombatants in
jeopardy, or whether rules Of maritime
warfare which have governed for CEN
turtles will be followed.
but it Is now generally known that the
United States in the event of an unfavor-
able reply will discontinue diplomatic re-
lations with Germany
The note sets aside as irrelevant all
the contentious of the German reply Of
Lusitania was armed-and restates the
position taken by the United States
previously that the Lusitania, after Of
fcial investigation by competent in
t01
with no guns aboard. either mounted or
unmounted. 1t further calls Germany's
attention to the fact that the Lusitania
did not attempt any resistance. being tor
pedoed without a moments warning.
German Offer of Reparation.
The arrival Of communication from
the German government expressing regret
for the attack on the American steamer
Gulfight. offering to pay indemnity as
soon as claim is presented and details
arranged and making a further promise
TO take into consideration any facts which
the United States may have on the drop
ping of bombs by German air1nen upon
the American steamer Cushing. made un-
necessary any discussion Of these cases
In the new note to Germany.
The United States had not for that
matter. been disposed to discuss in the
new note any of these cases. When the
principles of the main issue-the sub
marine warfare merchant ships-are
settled. the Lusitania and Falaba cases,
In which about lis Americans lost their
lives, Will be taken up.
II is understood that some attention
had been given in the note to the claim
OF Germany that. as the Lusitania was
on the British naval list she must
therefore be considered as an auxiliary
cruiser The American point of view
has been in accordance with the prac-
Ilce of many nations and The Hague
convention rules that the change from
= peaceful merchantmen to an auxili-
arF cruiser is proceeding of a dis
tinct character attended by certain
formalities, such as the commissioning
Of the vessel. In the case of British
vessels. this is done In a home port
May Restate Conclusions.
In some quarters II was suggested
that the President before dispatching
the communication would embody in
II restatement of the conclusion of
the note of May 13, in which the i'm
perlai government was warned not to
expect the United States Ito omit any
word ov any act necessary 10 the per-
formance of it's sacred duty of main
tanning the rights of the United States
and Its citizens"
II was expia med authoritatively tina I
while the British and French emba
res hdu NOT arranged sare conduct for
Myer Gerhard on his trip to Berlin as
the representative of the German am
basador. the State Depa rtrnent had
found means of assuring itself that the
envoy would not be molested by the
ships Of the allied feet. II was said
TOO. that safe conduct had not vet
been granted for DIR. Bernhard Dern-
burg. although II undoubtedly would
be arranged when wanted
In German quarters here II lis expect
held until Mr.. Gerhard has arrived and
explained the situation. This, II is
estimated. will take at least a fort
night. as the boat on which the enyoy
sailed would not bring him to Dem
mark much sooner.