The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-23

hOoo Ot <AhCilCa HNcS tHIOukH
 further violation of neutral
 rights would be regarded as
 'unfriendly."
 The note started on it's way to Berlin late last night, probably will be de- livered by Ambassador Gerard tomorrow It will be given out by the state depart ment for publication in Saturday morn- ing newspapers.
 Everywhere in official quarters it was pointed out today that this document speaks the final word on how the United States government would regard further transgressons of it's rights. The general trend of comment was that the repeti- tion of such a disaster as befell the Lusi- tania would mean the converting of Con gress by President Wilson for consid : eration of the action to be taken
 In the event that the status quo is maintained, however, and there are indi- cations through official or unofficial chan nels, that German submarines in future will conform to the rules of international law in saving the lives of Americans on unresisting merchantmen. President W.T. son will take up very soon the situation that has arisen with Great Britain over interference with American commerce by the allies.
 Will Receive British Note
 For several days a note has been prac- tically completed. almost ready to be sent to the British government, reiterating the protest against deviations from interna- tional law in the operations of the order In council against commerce with Ger many. The note has not been sent be- cause President Wilson has been unwilling to give the impression in Berlin that the controversy between the United States and Germany in any way could be con- oitioned on the progress of the Ameri- can governments negotiations with other belliserents. It became known today. however that if there are indications that tho new American note to Germany Is received in a friendly spirit and there appears no intention further to violate neutral rights on the high seas, the new protest to Great Britain will be dispatched probably within the next fortnight.
 Data Is being gathered at the state de- partment, but the new note probably will not deal to any extent with specific in- stances. contending chiefly for the gen. eral principles involved with renewed in- sistence on notifications in the order in couilcll 10 conform With what the United States regards as the accepted rules of international law The recent filing of a legal caveat announcing that orders in council and British municlnal law do not affect the rights of American citizens un- der international law was the first step in the policy which the United States is pur- suing to obtain acquiesence of It's point of view.
 Widespread Comment
 Interest centered for the most part to- day in official and diplomatic quarters on the nature of the new note to Ger many. Sufficient of it's contents had be- come generally known to cause wide spread comment on the apparently de- termined position taken by the United States.
 No progress has been made in the in- vestiga ton of the case of the British liner Orduna at which a German submarine is alleged to have fired a torpedo with out warning. No evidence has been re- ceved to establish beyond doubt that the torpedo was fired, and until this is available it was said in official quarters the case probably would not be pressed
 None of the American passengers were awake at the time of the attack and the state department. 1t is understood. is re- luctant to act on what might be con- strued as partisan testimony such as the statements of the officers and crew of a British vessel. As yet no report has been asked from Ambassador Gerard at Berlin because a prima facie case has not been established