Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-12
HE WILL DEMAND
EXPL PLANTATION
FROM GERMANY
Also Proposes to Insist on
Guarantees for I'm
armed Vessels.
FIRST DRAFT OF NOTE
APPROVED BY CABINET
1t Voices Intense Feeling Of
United States Over Recent
Outrages.
r E GA RD LE SS OF RESULTS
REGARDLESS OF RESULTS
He Is Prepared for Eventualities,
Which May Mean Vigorous
Action.

WASHINGTON. May 11.-President
Wilson had virtually decided tonight
on the first step in the policy which
the United States government will
pursue a result of the sinking of the
British liner Lusitanin. with the loss
of more than 100 American lives.
The President will act promptly
within another day or two. 4 draft
of r. communication to be sent to Ger
many was submitted to the Cabinet
to-day and approved unanimously.
While no official announcement was
made, 1t was learned that the United
States would present and insist upon
an explanation OF the series of Incl
dents which have occurred since the
proclamation of a war zone around
the British Isles-the sinking of the
Falaba, causing the death of Leon c.
Thresher, American citizen; the
attack by German airmen on the Ameri-
can steamer Cushing. the torpedoing
Of the American steamer Gulfilght, and,
finally. the destruction, without warn
ing. of the Lusitania. with toll OF
more than 1000 lives.
VOICES INTENSE FEELING
OF AMERICAN PEOPLE
! In what are described by those ia
miliar with the document as firm and
unmistakable terms, the President
voices the intense feeling of the United
States over these happenings, and in
the name of International law demands
an adherence by Germany to the estab-
lished rules of maritime warfare. The
note asks that some assurance or
guarantee be given hereafter that un-
armed merchant vessels carrying non
combatants be visited and searched
when encountered on the high seas by
the Germany navy and passengers and
crew transferred to n place OF safety
before any prize Is destroyed The
resident points out. 1t Is understood.
It tho United States, in it's note
which said Germany would be held to
strict accountability" for any attacks
on American vessels or lives, had not
admitted any right on the part of Ger
many to carry on such methods OF war
rare, and declares. moreover, that the
giving of official notice of an inten
lion TO commit an unjustifable act did
not justify the act or make 1t lawful.
what VIII follow in the event of a
refusal by Germany to comply with
the expressed wishes of the note. about,
10 be sent, no one of the Presidents
ofhcial family would predict They said
the PRESIDENT was determined to act
nrmly and deal with each situation a.
it arose 1t was pointed out, too, that
IN his speech at Philadelphia, in refer
ence to peace. Mr.. Wilson was ex-
pressing merely an ideal that he wished
America could and would follow.A
NOT UNPREPARED FOR
ANY EVENTU-aLITI
Persons familiar with the Presidents
poiht or view indicated, however,. that
ne was by no means unprepared for or
unaware or the possible eyentualitiss
Oh the present crisis, and knew that
circumstances and events over which
the United States might have no control
might make vigorous action necessarv
Ihe circular from the German gov
ernment to neutral countries assuming
responsibility and promising reparation
Tor any damage in the war zone to
neutral vessels will not affect tho de.
termined course OF the President II
was considered by the Cabinet TO-DAY
nut high officials later pointed out TINT
there Is no guarantee in it that rho
iiVes OF Americans VIII be saferuordad
as submarines cannot accommodates
passengers or crew OF the vessels thav
attack
While 1T was regarded az q nronnisa
TOT reparation in the cases of tho Gu,f-
light and the Cushing, If il shall, ha
proven that they were damaged bv
Germans. the opinion of high officials
OF the Washington government was
that the communication did not alter
tho main issue-the torpedoing without
warning Of unarmed merchant shins Of
any nationality carrying noncombat.
ants.
Ihe circular moorf1es the original
proclamation OF the war zone In the
sense that responsibility Tor mistakes
is now assumed and the right of VISIT
and search Is to be- exercised agaInst
vessels flying neutral flags, while de-
struction OF neutral vessels carryin.
contraband Is to be conducted undsr
the rules OF international law govern
ing prizes. These require the trans.
fer to place OF safety OF passengers
and crew IL the vessel is deatroyed
Just how submarine will be able Ia
carry out this obligation was not ex-
planned In the circular, and left officials
very much In doubt on this point. 81
Germany's official statement expres.-
ing regret over tho loss OF American