Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-11
dent himself would not indicate that
this was his opinion
Officials Say Present Issue
Is Most Difficult Problem
President Has Had to Solve

Official and unofficial opinion last
night candidly admitted that President
Wilson has before him now the most
difficult problem he has yet attempted
to solve in connection with the German
submarine question as it bears upon the
destruction of American lives and prop
erty.
When the President sent his first
note. after the terrible catastrophe at
sea. public opinion was unanimously
with him. Whatever he did and said
had the backing of the masses of the
people who were not Influenced by ra :
cial or other prejudices When he
wrote his second note he still had the
sentiment of the country with him.
But now, according to the views OF
many persons. he must go on with the
controversy, not sure as to what the
opinion in this country is or will be.
The Lusitania horror has almost
passed out of the minds of millions of
persons. 1t Is the old story of human
forgetfulness of the flesh that has gone:
the cooling of passions aroused by an
unusual horror. Added to this is the
known fact that the average American
is less interested in the European war
now than he has been in the past: that
he is occupied with his own affairs:
that he has become so accustomed to
the stories of the horrors of war he 1s
aroused only when some unheard-o
calamity occurs; and, above everything
else, he is hugely pleased that in ms
own country these horrors do not exist
and to the limit of tolerance OF what
others are doing he wants this country
to continue to be free from connection
with what is going on abroad
German Publicity Methods Factor.
Another factor is the clever publicity
methods of Germany reaching the
people of the United States with her
claims, all based upon her necessities.
Thousands of citizens who do not want
their country involved in the European
trouble have found themselves per-
fectly willing to accept some of the
arguments of Germany rather than to
continue a policy of believing that the
American contention has been unan-
Swerab1e.
All these and many other elements
have entered into the change in sit
uation that was at one time unanimous
burden of responsibility of the Presi-
dent grows immensely under condi-
lions as they now exist, it was gen.
orally admitted today.
The President. it Is pointed out, must
weigh the divided sentiment in this
country most carefully before he again
answers Germany. On one side he will
find a large and Intelligent part of the
population which will insist on the
United States standing strictly by it's
abstract rights; on the other. strong
portion that is tired of the whole thing
and is willing for the President to set
tie it as he deems best.
1t was the prevailing belief in official
quarters last night that the President
will stand by his position and strongly
insist that Germany shall accept the
contentious of the government of the
United States, and that he will indicate
that he does not wish to carry on a
long correspondence on the subject.
But what is he to do if Germany con-
tinues to be polite. and either evades
the issue that has been raised or prac-
tically states that it will not agree to
what the President proposes?
Another Element in Issue.
The main thing that may induce the
President to continue the correspond
ence, it was pointed out by high
officials. is that although Germany con-
tends for the submarine policy she
has been following she has been care
full enough not to torpedo any more
steamers containing citizens of the
United States bent on peaceful mis-
sions abroad In reality, therefore, the
President seems to many to have &C
complished the object he set out to
accomplish. safe transportation Of his
own people through the war zones
around ngland.
Although Germany upho24s her ac-
ton in the Lusitania affairs4he is hold !
ing off from repeating tbs horror.. A
repetition Of that horror. In spite OF
German contentious, would once more
President would act without address,
ing a note of protest to Germany.