Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1915-06-12
AMERICAN Note
TO CT. BRITAIN
us ABOUT READY
Continued from Page J.,

PLANTATION, which | think is the cor
rect one. But before offering this
explanation, the fact should be stated
that Mr.. Bryan signed the flr.t note
to Germany under presidential and
cabinet. Mr. Bryan stated his mis-
nature of durcss.
president. Mr.. Bryan had misgivings
The note was prepared by the
as to it's terms. Whom the note was
submitted by the president to the
Cabinet, Mr.. Bryan stated his mis-
sivings. 1t was only when he had
been permitted to insert a para
graph just before the concluding
I aragraph of the note, which he
thought modified the notes harsh
ness and offered Germany an op-
portunity to present explanations,
that he consented to affix his sig
nature to the communication.
am inclined to think the key to
the mystery is to be found in one OF
the proposals made by Herr Won
Jagow in the German reply to the
"strict accountability" note.
"In that communication it will be
recalled that Herr Won Jagow said:
I'm all cases where neutral YES
sci, through no fault of its own, has
come to grief through the German
submarine or fliers, according to the
facts as ascertained by the German
government, this government has ex-
pressed its regret at that unfortun-
ate occurrence and promised indem-
nification, where the facts justified
it The German government will
treat the cases OF the American
steamers Gushing and Gulfllght ac-
cording to the same principles. An
investigation of these cases Is in
progress. Its results will be COM
munited to the embassy shortly. The
might, if thought de-
sirable, be suppleme nted by an inter
national commission of inquiry, pur-
suant to title of The Hague con-
vention of october IS, 1907, for the
specific settlement of international
disputes"
Saw Chance for World Feace.
And further on in the same COM
munioaton, Herr Won Jagow, speak
ing for the German foreign office,
re co:nmends that the American gov
eminent make careful examination
OF the facts bearing upon the char
acter Of the Lusitania and says the
iperial government will preserve a
final statement OF its position with
gard to the demands made in con-
nection with the sinking of the Lusi-
taia until reply is received from
the American government"
arbitrate the issues between her and
the United States, Mr. Bryan un-
doubtdly saw an opportunity to eff
| feet world peace through his arbi-
| tration scheme.
The peace treaties which he ne
! sotiated, providing that all disputes
between the parties thereto shall be
referred to an international commits
sion which shall be allowed year
to report, have been signed by % ma
tons. Among the nations which
signed them were Great Britain and
Italy.
Germany refused to bind herself
but accepted the idea in Principe
When the first note was sent to
Germany, no one, possibly Mr..
Bryan expected thought it was pos
sible to arbitrate the case of the
Lusltanla. '"J#3
American opinion had been so in
famed by the sinking of the Lusi-
tania and the loss of 100 American
lives that sugge stion of arbitrating
the case would have aroused popular
indignation Moreover, no one would
nave entertained the idea that Ger
many would have considered sucn a
suggestion.
\ The general idea then was that
Germany was bent upon continuing
her submarine warfare, and would
continue it unless forced into stop
ping it. The tone of the German
comments on torpedoing of the Lusi-
tania gave that impression distinct
| ly.
Time for Firm Stand.
The president decided there was
no other course open except to take
a firm and determined stand to up
hold American rights.
And Mr. Bryan, at that time, what
ever his objections may have been to
the exact wording of the note agreed
with the president, as his signature
to the note attests.
The fact is that the president and
Mr.. Bryan went further in their de-
mands in that note than was nee
essary fully to maintain American
rights under International law.
i Happily, the untenable demands of
the first note with respec 10 the com
plete cessation of submarine warfare
have not been repea ed and the new
note leaves the administration stand
ing only the firm ground of Amer