Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-13
Demands Of the United
States Made in Polite
But Firm Language
KAISER MAY DEFY US.
Some Indications. However, That the
German Government Will AvoH
Rupture With America.

Washington, May 13.-The German
embassy today issued this statement
1.-THE German embassy stated to-
day that no statement or intimation
had been given by the embassy or any
official of the embassy concerning
what response would be made to the
American note regarding the Lusitan-
ia.
"This was brought out by state
ments appearing in the press this
morning to the effect that officials OF
the German embassy have outlined
the position of the German govern
ment toward the American note re-
garding the sinking of the Lusitania
and have declared that the reply
would be a polite but firm refusal to
cease submarine warfare against bel
ligerent merchant ships.
at was pointed out that the embas-
sy itself so far was ignorant of the
terms of the American note; that it
had received no instructions whatever
from the German government regard
ing the note, and, finally, it was de-
clared that no official connected with
the embassy had expressed any opin-
ion on the subject at all.
$3.50 Washington, May i3-Minor
changes and finishing touches by the
President this morning again delayed
the transmission of the United States
note to Berlin calling a halt on Ger
-many's naval policy which has re-
suited in an appalling loss of Ameri-
can lives and disregard of the right
of the Stars and Stripes.
The fateful communication is
known to be ready and as soon as
it is coded in .he State Department
will be forwarded, some; time today,
to Ambassador Gerard and proba-
bly, made public here, late today.
How Germany will answer is the
overshadowing question. Officials
here see three possible forms OF res
ponse: Aquiescence in Americas de-
mands; a semi-conciliatory reply that
will. lead to further negotiations; a
definite. refusal to grant President
Wilson's demands.
With the dispatch of the Presi-
debts message to Berlin demanding
marine outrages against non-com-
batants shall cease. expressing ao-
horrence over the Lusitania disaster,
and. calling for reparation for the
loss of American lives in the Lusl-
tania case and; other recent infrac-
tionsy of neutral rights, Washington
believes it will be up to the Berlin
Government to decide what shall be
the future relations of the two coun-
tries-peaceful or belligerent.
Although Washington is deeply
,nx;ous. there is, under the circum-
stances an amazing amount OF calm
Determination is apparent, rather
than excitement.
The feeling here today is that Il
is utterly impossible to read the Ill
ture in this instarce, that until eVent
prove otherwise there is ground TO
some hope that trouble with Ger
many may be avoided, but that II
extremely doubtful whether clas'
can be averted.
Probably there is just one man L
Europe who can settle the lssu
which looms up between the Umte'
States and Germany. That man
Kaiser Wilhelm himself. He has
in his power, by giving the assuranc
this country demands. not only t
prevent an open rupture but, as no
few men here who have been inclin
ed to be friendly to Germany in III
present war believe, to do much t
restore his country to the goo
qraces of American public feeling
But there is no real reason to be
lieve the German government ir
tends to meet, American demands.
On the other hand, the opinion