The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-07-13
CRITICAL POINT BETWEEN
TWOC0UNTR|ESR REACHED
Study of German Note by Off.
cials Adds to Pessimism.
NO ACTION FOR A WEEK.
ofhcials Feel That United States Must
Refuse to Accept German Pro-
pOsalS aus to Americans,

Washington, July 11.-Study of
Germany's reply to the American
note on submarine warfare strength
ems the conviction of high officials
that critical point in the relations
between the two countries has been
reached, it was said here tonight.
Not only do officials feel the Uni
ted States must refuse to accent Ger
man proposals for the future con-
duct of American citizens on the high
seas, it was declared, but the failure
of Germany to disavow the sinking
of the Lusitania with the loss of
American lives, in their view. has
brought on crisis.
That there will be no action by the
United States for at least another
week was indicated today. Several
days will be required to measure full
ly the consequences and responsible
tiles the American government will
incur in framing a policy to meet the
situation. Secretary Lansing prob
ably will go to Cornish, y. H., with
in day or two to confer with Presi-
dent Wilson. He said tonight he
would study the note carefully and
then communicate with the Presi-
dent.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, intends to call on Sec
retary Lansing during the week to
learn informally whether he can be
of any service in the situation.
Today the official text of the Ger
man reply arrived and was made pub
lie. 1t differs only in unimportant
words from the Associated Press
copy which came from Berlin Friday
night.
In all quarters here the reply was
the single topic of concern. What
the action of the American govern
ment will be is doubtful largely in
the sense that the means of express
sing the ideas and purposes of the
United States have not been decided.
1t was indicated authoritatively that
obviously there would be no surren-
der of American rights and no accep-
tance OF the German proposal to
guarantee immunity to American
ships under arrangements to be
agreed on by naval authorities of the
two countries.
There is no intention from indica-
tions from official quarters to force a
situation, but in whatever policy is
followed the American endeavor will
be to place full responsibility on Ger
many for any possible rupture in
friendly relations. Since the Lusi-
tania was sunk May z, there has
been no violation of the principles
for which the United States has con
tended unless the mishap to the Ne
baskan can be included and in that
case the Washington government has
not finally reached conclusion as to
whether a mine or torpedo caused
the explosion. In the view of many
officials, should German submarine
commanders continue in practice to
respect American rights, discussion
could continue. There were intima-
tions, however, that in the next com
munication the United States likely
would impress on Germany the SER
ious consequence that would ensue
from any further violation of Ameri-
can rights as proclaimed in notes al
ready sent.
The chief obstacle, 1T appears, to
permitting virtually status quo to
continue while further notes are ex-
changed is tho treatment which Ger
many has given to the Lusitania case.
The United States has asked for dis
ayowal Of intent to Kill americans
ard for reparation although the lat
ter has been suhorIinatad go the
greater consideration OF whether
Germany legally jusr1Ges the action
OF the submarine commander or will
admit liability. No direct answer on
the questions of law involved we're
given in the last note, and the quick
sinking OF the vessel was attributed
to peculiar circumstances" such as
the presence of high explosives. High
officials regard this as an evasion
is much the same as that whicn has
Is much the same a sthat which has
been reflected in press comment rom