The Washington times., 1915-06-05
REJO|NDER TO KAISER
WILL Be SENT TODAY
Note Demands Compliance With
Rules of Naval Warfare.
Makes U. S. Position Plain.
Continued from First Page.)


bling. 1t demands as a matter of right
that the United States be assured by
Germany that the rules of naval war
fare, confirmed by that nations repre-
sentatives to the various international
conferences, and set forth in existing
treaties, be lived UP to.
The matter is frankly stated not to
bd one for either discussion or arbi-
tration. And, SO far as the state
ments of fact raised by the German
Lusitania are concerned. they have
been brushed aside as irrelevant. On
the question of that vessel being ARMED,
It Is stated that there was no truth In
the allegation, as the liner was ex-
amined just before she cleared from
her dock at New York.
Contains No Threats.
The note contains no threats It makes
no alternative proposals. Couched In
friendly, diplomatic terms. 1t sets forth
that American citizens look to this
Government to protect them in their
movements whether in or out of the
war zone, points out that unless Ger
many will now assure the United States
that her submarine reprisals Will be so
regulated as to follow the recognized
demands Of International law, and to
provide for visitation and search and
protection for non-combatants, this
Government cannot be expected not to
take such steps as are considered neces-
sary to protect her own people.
There Is no mention of IA possible
break in friendly relations. The note
does not go that tar. But there Is little
left to .the imagination as to the inten-
rion of the United States to protect. its
rights as world power no matter at
what cost.
Must Be No Repetitions.
Should Germany assent to the main
proposal set forth. ths United States
will willingly consent to discuss m de-
tail the facts in the Lusitania and any
other matters that Germany thinks can
be explained. These are matters Of the
past Nothing that can now be done
can remedy them. and whether the dis
cussion regarding them was prolonged
or not would make no difference. 1t is
the future that the United States Is now
directly concerned about. There Is to
be no repetition of the Lusitania Incl
dent or of the Gulflght or of the Cush-
Ing attacks that would sacrifice Ameri-
can lives, IL the United States can pre-
vent it. and President Wilson believes
that 1t can.
Gerhard's Mission Not Vital.
Sending Of the envoy of the German
embassy. Meyer Gerhard. to Betlin, has
had no bearing on the action of the
United States. 1t Is accepted that It
will probably cause delay in the seud-
ing Of the German reply, inasmuch as
Count Van Bernstorff has asked his
government to await his arrival before
acting. 1t Is thought by some officials
that when the German government re-
alizes that the United states has deter
mined to stand squarely on It's recog-
nized rights under international law
and treaty obligations. it will take steps
to meet the American position.
Other officials here, however, are not
SO sanguine. They greatly fear that the
military and naval element SO dominates
the situation at Berlin that the pacific
element will be outvoted. Just as 1t
was when the original note was en-
route to Berlin, the positive be-
lief is entertained in official quarters
that only the Kaiser himself can force
the militarists to recede. He is known
to have been reluctant to sanction the
original plan for the submarine war
rare. and officials are hopeful that he
VIII insist on its modification to meet
the wishes of this country
Though the Treasury Department was
understood to have received from Port
Collector Dudley Field Malone. of New
YORK. full report bearing on the Ger
man charge that the Lusitania was
armed. his account was said to have
been turned over to the State Depart
ment or the White Houpse. To which,
ever of these places 1t went, II has
been effectually suppressed for the
present.