The Washington times., 1915-07-13
Officials See Situation
With Germany Grow
Slightly More Serious

Lapse Of three days since the German
reply to the second Lusitania note was
made public has not served to lessen
the gravity of the situation brought
about by the attitude Of the German
foreign office.
II anything, the view Of Washington
officials Is more pessmistic. 1t cannot
be said that rupture is expected. A
widespread feeling prevails that Ger
man submarine commanders have been
instructed despite the tenor Of the re-
ply just sent from Berlin. not to re-
peat the Lusitania horror. II this Is
true, and continues true. officials do
not believe the past infractions OF
American rights will be permitted to
draw the two countries into war.
President Wilson takes the view that
the way is open to further negotiations.
This in itself Is giving considerable en-
couragement. Moreover. there are iur-
ther indications that the Admlnlstra-
ing a new note. that 1t will sound pup
lie opinion, and that II will not allow
itself to be drawn into hasty action, or
action without full deliberation.
Drastic Action Urged.
Drastic action by this Government
Is being urged in many quarters. Many
of the newspaper comments reaching
the White House since Saturday have
been decidedly strenuous In tone. But
the President still hopes to pursue the
contention in a way which Will aVold
a break.
Putting the most optimistic colors or
the controversy, however. there Is ne
10 in a difficult embarrassing and ano
dangerous position. and the leader;
about the Administration. or some OF
the keenest of them, know 1t:
Peginning in February and including
the two Lusitania notes. this Govern
ment has on three occasions set fortt h
in notes Its position with respect to SUP
marine warfare. 1t has said IN I'M
life is lost through. the infraction Of tn
well-recognized rules of naval war BY
the Germans. Germany will be held u
"striot accountability" and that TN!
act needful to protect its citizens.
Germany's reply to this has been to
sink the Lusitania. to seek to evade re
sponsibility therefor. practcaliy 10 re
lives at sea will not be sacrificed un'
warned, and to infringe on American
rights In various particulars
Such proposals as Germany has maoe
for the protection of American neu:
trails are looked on here as beside the
mark. They. in fact. concede nothlng
and from one point Of view concede
something less than actual rights on
American and neutral shlps.
Not Taken Seriously.
The talk of using German internet
liners under the American flag Is looked
on here as bootless. 1t Is not takeI
seriously.
Under all the circumstances. the thint
that is squarely up to the President Is
not merely to stand squarely for tn
principles Of the previous notes. but u
determine how far he ought to go II
serving notice on Germany that TN
United States does not intend to drat
out the correspondence indefinitely ant
that further serious infraction
American rights at sea will have to b.
dealt within in some other fashion thai
by note-writing.
The Administration Is beginning Z
perceive not only that 1t cannot retrea
but that If it allows the exchanges t
drift along indefinitely. getting nowhere
and In effect allowing Germany to fou
the United States by evasion and dila
tory tactics of diplomacy. a large shar
OF the public is going ultimately to hol
II to account