The Washington times., 1915-07-21
N0TET0bER[|N
BEF|RM,
TOLD
Advisers Inform President Ma
ton Demands Germany
Stop Inhuman Attacks.


tends in her conduct Of submarine war;
fare and uncertain whether any day
may not bring tidinss Of the unwar-
ranted destruction of, American lives
at sea, America is about to send its
fourth note on neutral rights at sea
and its third on the Lusitania case. to
Germany.
Divested Of any tone suggesting bel
ligerency. in friendly but firm tones.
the note was drafted in ANAL form to-
day by Secretary Of state Lansing. De-
nying himself to all except most urgent
visitors, the premier put on the nnisn-
ing touches to the note.
Reports today were that the note
would be delivered to the Berlin foreign
office Monday. 1t will probably be CIV
en- the final sanction Of President VIII
son and his Cabinet Friday and started
on the wires to Ambassador Gerard
Saturday. 1t was deemed likely that
It would contain no reference whatever
to the attack upon the Cunarder Or
duna, because Of inability to complete
the Treasury investigation in time.
Framing Reply To Austria.
. Reports were also current today
that, in connection with the German
note in reply to Germany's suggestion
In i,er last note that this Government
stor sules Of contraband to the allies.
that work has already begun on n
note in reply to Austria's protesting
against such shipments. Tho two
notes, however. will not go forward
slnlulta aeously.
1t developed today that at "sster-
days Cabinet conference considera BILE
debate was said to have occurred re-
garding Incorporation of the reply
to Germany Of a warning that repeti-
gtion Of the Lusitania affair would be
considered an "unfriendly act" 1t is
understood that the wording Of the
clause was modified to the extent Of
would be viewed with grave concern
as threatening hitherto peaceful re-
lations CT the two nations.
II was learned. however. that the note
points out in unmistakable tones OF Arm
ness and with extreme earnestness the
intention Of this Government to main
tain what are considered the rights OF
Americans to travel in safety.
Needs Congressional Action.
Regarding Germany's proposal that
neutral passenger vessels. German ships
or four 'enemy" ships be placed under
the American flag for trsnsportating
American passengers, the note is said to
declare that this Is impossible. and that
, a special act Of Congress. now in ad-
journment. would also be necessary to
effectuate the plan proposed by Ger:
r'any.
Instead Of refusing point blank to pro-
long diplomatic negotiations on Ger
manys undersea warfare. the note Is
also said to have been modified to the
extent Of stating that this Government
cannot see. in the present situation. how
any useful ends can be attained by fur
ther parleys.
Must End Attacks.
Still the leaders in the Wilson admin
| istration understand that the time is
close at hand when protestation Of this
sort will not suffice provided Germany
does not refrain from further provoca-
ton.
1t Is impossible to conceal the fact
tration take a profoundly grave view of
the outlook, for they consider the Will
son Administration Is in a delicate and
difficult position.
him various thing about public senti-
ment in this country. Some have told
him the country wants peace above all
else. But the bulk Of the President 8
counsel that on which he most relies.
is that the country hopes nothing may
occur to break the good relations of
the past between the United States and
Germany. still that it cannot tolerate
repeated and deliberate infraction OF
the sea rights of its people, especially
| when such infraction means that non
| oombatants lose their lives
The President Is in the position or
having been forced by one step after
another of Germany to take smore
| and more determined stand, and also
| in the position where. ii he should
! show any sign OF weakening. there
| would descend on him an avalanche
| of condemnation from public opinion In
| this country. it is believed.
Officials Are Silent.
Official silence concerning the note
| is still as deep as 1t was after the Cab
. met meeting yesterday. The Orduna
investigation will proceed under the
! Treasury. But this is a matter dis
: tinct from the note. The note rests
| tania case.
But the unofficial versions OF the
Orduna affair make officials here skep-
| teal Of the oral protestations of the
German ambassador that submarine war
| will henceforth be carried on by his
country In accordance with the ac-
cepted laws of naval warfare.
They realize that II the German gov
ernment is going ahead with the policy
that sent the Lusitania to the bottom
unwarned. then breaking OF relations
and probably war must come.
What or when, the reply Berlin will
make to the new communication is
speculative. 1t Is assumed there will
be no defiant answer. so far as the
formal reply goes. But the real Ques-
| tlon is the same question which has
been the vital one for weeks:
What are the German submarines
in fact going to do, and will the Lusi-
tania horror be followed by others?'
The note is expected to go in the next
few days, but the exact time Is not
yet announced. long conference last
night between the President and Sec
retary Lane was over the general stu
| alton