New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-02
Can't Discuss Other
Questions Until SO
Assured.
NOTE SETTLED
IN ESSENTIALS
Wilson's Reply Already
Nearly in Shape To Be
Sent to Berlin.
WILL SEE AMBASSADOR
President Consents to Talk with
Won Bernstorff Before Fin
ishing His Answer.
From To T1buns Bureau J

IFrorn To Tribune Burssul
Washington. June l.-President VIII
sons answer TO the German note will
be a demand that Germany give as
surances that tho attacks OF les sub
marines against unarmed merchant
men cease at once. lie will demand
that Germany give assurances that the
lives of non -combatants and citizens
of all neutrals be safeguarded on the
high seas. He will call Germany's at
tention to the fact that this country
only recognizes the right of bellig-
erent TO visit and search, and will
point out that Germany always has
been an adherent to this timc-honored
doctrine.
The reply which will be sent to the
German government was practically
agreed on at the Cabinet meeting to-
day. In II Germany will be told that
II she gives assurances that the lives
Of non-combatants and neutrSls will
be safeguarded the United States may
then consider the question Of giving
such facts as It has at its disposal in
the case Of the Lusltania- In other
words, the United States. will demand
that the German government first show
its sincerity before the questions asked
by Berlin are taken up.
These are the essentials as agreed
upon to-day, but there may be some
slight changes. Secretaries Bryan.
Garrison and Lane each had certain
Ideas on some Of the points that came
up in the discussion. and the President
asked each to submit a memorandum
explaining his views in detail.
At Work on the Note.
President Wilson began the prepara-
tion of his note tonight. He viii
confer with Count Won Bernstorf, Ger
man Ambassador, at noon tomorrow.
but unless the ambassador Is able 90
give the assurances the President calls
for II is most unlikely that there will
be any change In the programme a.
decided on to-day. IL Is not expected
that the note will be sent before the
next Cabinet meeting, although there
Is a possibility that II will be on its
way 70 Berlin by Thursday The Presl-
dent is anxious 10 get it OIL his mind.
Members Of the Cabinet were unani-
nous that there could be no discussion
OF the details of the Lusitania disaster
until the German government had
shown its good faith by acceding 20
i. IN
the interest of humanity and justice.
Il was felt that the German govern
ment had lost sight Of the high and
lofty ideals set up in President VII
sons communication, and that to sub
ordinate them TO a discussion Of de-
tails was not TO be countenanced.
II was also believed that the purpose
Of the German governments reply was
TO engage the United States IN a long
drawn out discussion OF details, which
would last for weeks, and perhaps
months. This the United States could
not agree TO. because the interests or
humanity and justice were too I'M
portant 20 be even temporarily shelVed.
What the United States wanted was
tho safeguarding OF the lives Of nom
con,batants on the high seas, and un-
less Germany was willing TO give TINS
assurance AZ once Il was felt TO De
idle 10 enter into a discussion or
whether or not the LusItania was
armed or carried munitions or war -
FAR as the United states IS concerned
it has the proof that the Lusitanla was
an unarmed merchant vessel. but II
Germany wants 20 see that proof she
must first show her good faith.
Short and 10 the Point.
The note 20 Germany will not be
very long. Il will be stripped OF all
unnecessary language, but II viii be 20
the point. and leave no room for any
misunderstanding b. the haIser's gov
ernment.
President wilson discussed the Ger
man answer for almost three hours
this morning with his Cabinet. lie had
before MIN the official translation %
the note. with his own annotatIons sug-
gestiye OF the American answer. Step
by step and detail by detail he went
over the text and listened 20 the COM
ments % his Cabinet councillors.
Il il understood that the object OF
the German Ambassadors visit 20
President Wilson tomorrow Is 20 try
20 convince him OF the good faith of
the German government Count Won
Bernstorf, it is understood. Is anxious
20 impress on the President the fact
that the German reply IS not a tnal
answer, and that because % the lack
Of communication between this country
and Berlin he has found il impossible
20 keep his government Informed as TO
al OF the facts.
Il is not improbable that the German
Ambassador will suggest method OF
solving the present difficulty without
war. which was proposed oy trfmah
diplomat in Washington to-nights ~,
though this diplomat has no oiheia!
standing
Would Bar All Ammunition.
This solution will be merely that the
United States enforce the " forbid