The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-07-14
VERY GRAVE VIEW
OF THE SITUATION
Taken BY Washington
Diplomatic Circles
ANENT THE NOTE Of GERMANY
Upon President Rests Bur-
den Of Deciding Future
Policy Of U. S.
A CRISIS SEEMS IMPENDING

Washington, July 10.--Ofcial
Washington takes grave view OF
the situation produced by Germany
refusal to meet the demands of the
United States growing out of the
Lusitania incident when more than
100 Americans lost their lives. Upon
President Wilson rests the burden
of deciding the policy which the
United States will follow Quietly
and carefully he is considering the
situation, it was stated tonight at
the White House, after a telephone
conversation with the President at
Cornish. N. II. The country, he
says, will expect him to act with de-
liberation as well as tirmness when
he has examined all phases of the
problem.
Secretary Ian sing withheld COM
ment As soon as the complete Of
fetal text of the German reply ar
rives tomorrow, he will begin its
careful study and on Monday or
Tuesday go to Cornish, N. II. for
conference with the President. Pres
ident Wilson will then return and
lay before the cabinet the course
upon which he will have determin-
ed
There is no definite capitalization
of opinion among officials as to the
details, but there is distinct ten
dency toward a reiteration of the
formal note and the actual practice
of the principles for which the Unit
ed States has been contending.
There is a unanimous verdict Of
high authority that the German re-
ply is thoroughly unsatisfactory,
and leaves the situation at exactly
the point where it was in the days
Immediately following the sinking
of the Lusitania. In the absence of
any word from President Wilson no
definite indication of what might be
done eventually is obtainable.
Secretary Lansing stated that,
while he had no reason to doubt the
correctness of the version trans
mitted in the news dispatches, no
formal consideration could be given
TO the question until Ambassador
Gerard's official copy has been re-
ceived, r.. ri - n--.'
II was pointed out that the Amer
lean Government and Germany had
practically reached a deadlock on
the law in the case, evidently neith-
or side being willing to recede from
IT'S position. The situation was now
thought to resolve itself entirely
into a question of policy, which de-
ponds on President Wilson.
Opinions varied as to the Presi-
dents probable course, but it was
believed likely that he would again
wait the capitalization OF public
sentiment in the country and en-
deavor in his next move to interpret
the wishes of the American people.
The whole question. in the minds
OF many officials, seemed to hinge on
whether there is another violation
by Germany OF the rights for which
the United States contends. II was
recognized that since the Lusitania
vas sunk and the negotiations we're
given warnings, as in the case of
the Armenian and the Anglo-Cali-
fornian. If the German practice con-
tinues 10 square with international
law, some officials here do not be-
Reve an academic discussion of prln-
ciples would be placed in jeopardy
by prolOnging the parleys.
On the other hand, there was a
general belief that any further de-
siruetion of American life In contra
ventiOn OF law would bring the sta
sation to a sharp and critical juno
tare which would make difficult the
continuance Of friendly relations.
Treatment OF the Lusitania case,
however, seemed in the view OF
some officials TO offer possible OBJ
stacles to prolongation of the ne
gotiations. as the United States ask
ed for disayowal of the act and re-
ceived none.
On the other hand. those in ON
oial quarters familiar with diplo-
matte presidents and the progress
siye development OF the American
attitude, believed that. having stat
ed its position and asked for assur-
ances which now have been refused.
the only course left open for the
United States seemed to be an an
nouncement that IL intended TO as
sert its rights as established under
the rules Of International law This