The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-06-01
American Position on Dis
puted Points Raised by
the German Reply
PREDICTION IN
EXECUTIVE QUARTERS
Course to Pursue in One of Gravest
International Situations That Has
Ever Confronted This Country.

international situations Ihat has
Ever Confronted This Country.
WASHINGTON, june l. - On to-
days session of the President and his
cabinet depends the course which the I
United States government will pursue |
in one of the eravest international sit |
uations that ever has confronted it.
Three weeks ago the President and
cabinet decided to send to Germany
note demanding full reparation for
the loss of American lives when the
British steamer Lusitania was torpe
doed without warning, and asking for
guarantees that American rights on
the high seas would not be again vio-
| lated
Germany 5 unvielding answer, re
| garded by officials as eVading the main
points at issue, was before today $
meeting. A decision to send second
note, brief and emphatic, setting forth
| the American position on disputed
points raised by the German reply, was
| generally predicted in executive quar-
ters.
President Wilson told callers today
he did not feel it would be wise for
him to discuss Germany IS reply to the
American note until after he had con
suited his cabinet and studied further
the important question involved.
The President said, however, that
the American reioinder would not bc
many days DELAYED. He spoke of hav-
ing studied the official text last night
aud of his intention to have a prelimi-
nary discussion with his cabinet at to-
day meeting.
Calm in his bearing and showing
Enoue of the strain of the International
lproblems before him, the President re-
ceived the Washington correspondents
as is his usual custom on Tuesdays.
| Questions concerning domestic mat
ters had hardly entered his mind. be-
cause Of the greater Importance of the
international situation.
He revealed the fact that he had not
vet drafted the reply to Germany.
Tomorrow Count Won Bernstorff, the
German ambassador, at his own request
will see the President
In well-informed quarters it is said
; he is not in close touch with his gov
erument because of the difficulty of
communication.
The reply is expected to 90 forward
Thursday or Friday.
The calm in executive quarters en-
iphasized the deep concentration and
earnest attention which President vii
Il son and his advisers are giving the sit
uation. It is understood the President
has been much impressed with the vir
, tuallv unanimous verdict of the Ameri
h can editorial opinion that the German
,, answer is not really an answer, but Al
! evasion of the greater issues of Law
: and humanity. Officials say he regard
I, it as a true reflection of the opinion o
:, the country, and will endeavor to eX
:. Ipres7 it.
While the President would give n
intimation of his course many of thos
familiar with his previous attitud
thought the American rejoinde
would be brief and would demand a
Immediate reply.
E. The failure to meet the American re
ply, would, it was predicted, resul
in the severance Of diplomatic rels
ie tions. The pressure toward that cours
he has been great in many quarters sine
w the sinking of the Lusitania Som
Il friends of the President have indicate
that he would not hesitate to adopt
in event of a final unsatisfactory an
wer.
Diplomatic non-intercourse, hoWeve
would not necessarily be followed b
of any other step unless American righ
were again fagrantly violated.
As cabinet officers arrived at IL
A White House none would reflect 9
IN opinion.
'es Three weeks ago today the Pre-
he ident s Lusitania note was diseusst
me and unanimously approved. In the a
sence of any prepared document tod;
a wide expression of views was expeC
ed, which it was believed he won
take under consideration when t
new note was prepared
of He indicated in his speech at ATlin
ton Yesterday that he hoped to ha
the wisest council in the present S
m uation
les While he wants to send a reply wit
od in dav or two to indicate to Germa
rep the earnest purpose of the Unit
ne- States to have prompt understand
to- on the important issues raised withC
bel protracted discussion he intends to
tee over the new note carefully with Coz
cillor Lansingh and other legal o
GERS of the government.
Secretary Redfield was the OF
member absent. Secretary Houston h
hurried here from the West to be pr
yor- ent Secretary Bryan was the last
arrive and went into the cabinet roc
declining to discuss any phase of
II situation.
vii For the first time in several we,
Am the meeting was held in the cabi
room of the executive Offices Pppe