The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-06-01
ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT
AT GERMANY'S NOTE
PRESIDENT WILSON'S REPLY WILL
WILL BE PROMPT.
Dissatisfaction at Failure to Answer
Demands Reflected in Government
Circles at Washington.

Washington, May 3O.-Germany's
reply to the American note concern
ing the sinking Of the Lusitania with
loss of more than 100 American
lives produced a feeling of profound
disappointment here. Dissatisfaction
at the failure of Germany to answer
the demands of the United States was
reflected in government circles gen
orally.
President Wilson had retired before
tie text arrived, but from reading Of
the summary published today and
Ambassador Gerard's forecast, he had
an accurate impression of what it
contained.
Secretary Bryan would make no
comment. Other cabinet officers were
reticent, but there was little conceal
ment anywhere that the answer from
Berlin had produced a grave situation
in the relations between the United
Estates and Germany. Just what course
of action the United States will pursue
is undetermined
/ Fress dispato es giving the text Of
the reply came during the evening
and were sent to the white house. The.
E:oficial text from Ambassador Gerard
karrived just before midnight and will
Ilbe placed before the president early
tomorrow. There will be cabinet
meeting Tuesday.
4 From previous knowledge Of
President Wilson's position, it was
generally predicted tonight that
Iprompt answer would be sent to Ber-
Ilin. perhaps within "a or 4S hours.
FT1is is expected to, give the American
governments understanding Of the
! facts-tnat tee Lusitania was unarmed
and carried no concealed guns, that
! she sailed from the United States a
|peaceful merchantmen, and that under
iall rules of internatio1a law and
humanity, the vessel should have been
visited and searched and her passen-
lfgers transferred to place OF safety,
whether she carried ammunition or
not. American law does not prohibit
i ammunition from being carried on
passenger SHIPS, it will be asserted,
but only self-exploding material, and
liners in the past have been permitted
TO carry arms and ammunition by
special ruling of the state department
or the meaning of the federal statutes.
Germany's failure even to- discuss
1.-THE reparation demand by the Amer
llican note and evasion of the request
l4hat guarantees be given that 'Amerl-
can vessels and lives be not endan-
pered in the future are the main
hpoints. however, to which the United
States government, it was generally
believed tonight, would advert in the
second note. The expression OF re-
Eigret and offers Of reparation for hnln-
Intentional attacks on neutral SHIPS are
exnected to have little weight IN de-
termining the nature of the response
Of tho United States. When the note
Of Nav l3 was sent it was pointed ouE
i that sucn promises did not remove tne
risks to witch American vessels and
Hives were subjected-and to support
kthis contention, the United States viii
i add it is said, that the American
lsteamer Nebraskan was torpedoed
without warning within the last rev
days.
i While it is generally thought the
Limited States will answer Germany's
reouest for facts with restatement
Of the circumstances as recited in the
American note of May 13, the prompt
Pness with which the reply will be dis
patched is counted upon to serve as
! an indication that the American gov
Ilernment wishes an early answer and
idoes not desire to engage in pro-
tracted diplomatic olscussion.
Persons close to President Wilson
have learned that he is determined to
obtain reparation for the Lusitania VIC
tins and assurance of respect for Am
erican rights in future, and that fall
ing this, he would hesitate to sever
diplomatic relations with Germany.
h In German quarters here tonight it.
WAS again reiterated that the Lusitanla
was armed.
I To controvert this, the United States
! has proof gathered before the Amerl-
can note was sent, that there were no
I,guns aboard. Furthermore the British British
I'goyernment entered into an informal