The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1915-07-17
SEC, LANSING
DRAFlT TING Note
President and Cabinet 0ffi13I
Deliberate on AGEt Step
THERE CAN Be NO RETREAT

Considering Measure to Be Adopted Ir
Case of Further Attacks by Ger,
many on American LiVes-America
Desires no War, But viii Maintain
Stand For NeutraIs-Conference to
Be Held Last Of Week.
Washington, July 13.-Relations of
the United States with Germany are
in a grave, but not critical situation.
A note in rejoiHder to Germany Will
be sent bu. probably not for some
considerable time, at least not for a
fortnight.
These are the interpreted views Of
President wilson, 1t is stated upon
the highes. authority. There is
nothing in Gernany's reply to this
government protests against her sub
marine warfare that makes imminent
a breach c. diplomatic relations or
more serious results. The president
feels that me administration must
proceed slowly and carefully. He dOes
not believe any crisis" in the Gnited
States relations with Germany is pres
ent or imminent. Carefully matured
deliberations viii mark his future
course.
A conference between the president
and Secretary Lansing will be the
first step toward an actual decision
as to the course Of this government,
and probably viii not take place be
fore the latter part of this week. The
president and Mr.. Lansing are much
alike in their mental processes, in one
respect at least, both seeking a con
siderable period for undisturbed re-
Election as a pl eii9>inary to eXchang-
ing views with others. IN the present
instance both feel it would be wiser tn
defer their conference until each has
had opportunity to arrive at his own
conclusions independently.
1t is known that the president will
be advised by most of those whose
formal opinions will be conveyed to
him to determine in advance precisely
what measures he is willing to adopt
or recommend in the event that Ger
many commits further attacks on
American lives. While no word has
come to anyone here of what is in
the presidents mind it has become
pretty generally established that the
United States cannot seek to continU,
the discussion with Germany withoL,
definite loss of prestige and that the
note about to be considered must CO
tain a certain tone of finality.
Before such note is dispatched.
however, it is considered imperative
that definite decision be made as to
what this government is prepared to
do in the event that Germany further
violates those American rights fer
which the president has contended. AS
public opinion has been interpreted
here in the last few days it is believed
the country is demanding two things:
l. The maintenance of the st-a
stand taken by the United States on
the Lusitania case and the principla
involved in the submarine issue, but
also
2. Keep the United States out of
any conflict with Germany.
Study of editorial expression has
convinced officials that these two De
mands upon the part of the newspa
per commentators define the limits
within which the administration
course must be laid in writing the
next note 10 Germany.
Z That these two wishes on the part
of the country are somewhat para
doxcal in the sense that neither can
be pursued to the limit without
danger and the other will be blasted
does not in the opinion of officials
here make them any the less real. The
political experts in the administration
feel that were the president now 10
recede for the sake Of avertinT all
danger of break with Germany he
would incur over night the Condemna
ton Of those who have been praising
him so highly for defending American
rights abroad On the other hand it
is felt by officials here that the coun-
try is not prepared at this stage of
the controversy to follow readily and
enthusiastically in a stronger course
involving the risk of war with Ger
many.