Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-11
KAISER REJECTS
CONTENTION OF
UNITED STATES
Reply to Note Of June Nine Refuses
to Give Assurances of Safety
for Neutrals Asked by
the President.
ANOTHER GRAVE ISSUE RAISED
Answer Implies Intention to Sink
American Passenger Ships that
Garry Contraband.
BREAK IN RELATIONS IS NEAR

/
BULLETIN
WASHINGTON, July 10.-Secre-
tary Lansing will take the German
note TO President Wilson at Cornish,
N, H., as soon as the official text ar
rives. The president will then de-
eide when he will return to Wash
ington. The president conferred
with Secretary Tumulty at noon to-
day and asked that Secretary Lans-
ing bring the note to him.
WASHINGTON. July 10. - AL.
though the official text OF Germany's
note on submarine warfare had not
reached here early today, the press
copy which was read by officials was
accepted as verification of earlier
Impressions that Germany had re-
fused to give the United States the
assurances asked for in the American
note of June 0.
Everywhere in official quarters the
character Of the reply was discussed
along with the probable action that
the United States would be compelled
to take as a result OF Germany's un-
willingness to concede to Americans
the right to travel on the high seas
on peaceful merchantmen Of any ma
tionality.
President Wilson will start from
Cornish, N. H., for Washington In a
day or two to consider with his cab
met the grave situation impending.
Break Seems Probable.
Those in official quarters familiar
with diplomatic preoedents and the
progressive DEVELOPMENT of the
American attitvde, believed that
having stated its position and asked
for assurances which now have been
refused, the only course left open for
the United States seemed to be an
announcement that 1t intended to as
sert its rights as established under
the rules OF international law. This
would mean In effect that the United
States would await violation by
Germany before taking action 70
compel respect for the rights as
serted.
! There was revival of talk concern
ing the severance Of diplomatic rela-
tions.
! Germany's complete evasion OF liza
bilities for the loss OF Americans on
the Lsuitania has revived the subject
most acuteIy. according to we'll in
formed persons.
} Vital Question - ignored.
Annalyzing the German reply today.
officials found little on which II appeared
the negotiations could be further pro
longed. The United States had devoted
, its attention to the principle that
Americans should be able TO travel on the
high seas on unRrmed ana unresisting
belligcrent merchant ships OF any ma
tionality In accordance with previously
recognized principles Of international
!. law. Assurances had been asked that
before any destruction would be- at
tempted the visit and search OF peaceful
: vessels and the transfer OF passengers
and crew TO a place OF safety would be
, accomplished, II was recognized that
Germany In its latest nete had ignored
n this vital question.
The expression by Germany OF CON
fident hope" that the United States will
assume to guarantees that those vessels
have no contraband on board. details OF
ARRANGEMENTS for the unhampered pas
. sage OF these vessels TO be agreed upon
by naval authorities OF both sides" left
the implication in the minds OF many
officials that Germany was prepared TO
destroy American passenger ships II they
were found to be carrying contraband.
InJects New Issue.
The reference in the new note 10 the
Lusltania tragedy created a profound
impression. After having asked the
United States in the first place to con-
slider that the Lusitanlt was in reality
an armed auxiliary cruiser and carried
. high explosives. which the American
government In its note oontradiotee with
official information. the German gov
srnment II now seemed. had formally
justified the action OF the submarine
commander in sinking the vessel, thereby
refusing TO disAvow the act as the United
! states had requested.
The view that Americans on board
belligerent ships we're entitled TO no
. more protection than neutrals would be
on land in war zone was vigorous dis
puted by officials. who pointed out that
jurisdiction OF the oelligerent on land
was complete. while the high seas ara
: Jointly owned by all nations.
The only definite proposal made by
Germany TO change the present status
the suggestion that four enemy ships
could saii under the. American flag n
neutral passenger facilities pro''sa in
adeauate-was considered certain Of re-
,ection, because. aside from other con-
alterations OF principle involved. the
United states could not undertake %
guarantee any interference with tho law
ful shipment OF oontrahand from its
shores 20 any OF the belhgefents.
Kaiser Takes bryan Vtewf
Officials wondered today what in