Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-15
DELAY At ROME CAUSED
BY CONCESTED CABLES
Probably Will Be Presented to Min
lister ofForeign Affairs Some
Time To-Day.
GIVEN UNIVERSAL APPROVAL
President Wilson Deeply Grateful
for Patriotic Spirit Which Greets
Him on Every Side-Wide Discus
sion of Document by Diplomats.
GIVEN UNIVERSAL APPROVAL

WASHINGTON. May 1.-THE note
sent to Germany yesterday by the
United States government as sequel
to the Lusitania disaster was delayed
in transmission because of congested
cables. and probably will not be pre-
sented by Ambassador Gerard to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs in Berlin
until some time tomorrow.
Secretary Bryan received a message
from Ambassador Thomas Nelson Page
at Rome saying the note, which had
been addressed to the American embassy
there to be forwarded by telegraph,
had arrived a 9 p. NJ. to-day, and that
in an hour and forty minutes it had
been copied and relayed to Berlin by
telegraph via Vienna. The reason for
the delay was not stated, but State
Department messages frequently have
been held up in their circuitous routes
because they are in code and require
careful sending to assure accuracy of
the cipher groups. The note had been
sent over the French cable from New
York to Havre, and thence by telegraph
through France to the American cm-
bassy at Rome.
Inasmuch it would require a few
hours to dccipher the note, it was be-
lieved by State Department officials that
1t would not be ready for presentation
until late this evening, and, unless Am
bassador Gerard had arranged I spe-
cial engagement with the Foreign Min
lister, 1t probably would not be read to
MIR. Won Jagow until tomorrow.
OFFICIAL WASHINGTON
TALKS OF LITTLE ELSE
Official Washington talked of little
else than the note to-day. The prac-
tically unanimous approval given 1t In
the editorial comment of the American
press, the statement OF Governors, Sena-
tors and members of the House was re-
enforced by an incessant stream OF
messages from persons from every po-
litical party. and from variety of
organizations and associations. Presi-
dent Wilson told his callers he was
deeply grateful and appreciated the
patriotic spirit that was greeting him
on every side.
The President appeared somewhat
relieved OF the strain of the last week.
This was due to the fact that there
probably would be no further develop
ment In the situation until some inti-
nation came from Ambassador Gerard
as to how the officials of the German
government informally regarded the
tone and requests OF the note.
Tonight the President went away on
his yacht the Maynower with members
of his family for quiet trip to New
York. where he will review the Atlantic
Fleet.
WIDE DISCUSSION IN
DIPLOMATIC QUARTERS
In diplomatic quarters there was wide
discussion of the note to Germany.
Among representatives of the allied
as we'll as by neutral ENJOYS many
of whom obtained copies from the State
Department.. The German embassy
the one place where it was natural to
look for some inkling or intmation
or what Gcrmany's position would be
remained silent. Count Won Bernstorff
the German ambassador, in fact, called
on Secretary Bryan with the express
purpose of warning him that none of
the published stories was true which
purported to give anonymous views OF
members OF the embassy stam to the
effect that Germany would refuse to
meet the American notes suggestions.
He asked cooperation of the State De-
partment TO prevent the spread OF this
misinformation, and Mr.. Bryan made
formal announcement OF the request.
The German ambassador said later
he knew absolutely nothing OF the
position of his government because he
had received no communication, and
naturally would not until the note
itself had been presented. He declined
to discuss his own views for publ!ca-
tion. Some of his force indicated later
that the ambassador was pleased with
the friendly tone of the note. and was
himself hopeful and confident that the
questions in dispute could be satisfac-
torily settled through diplomacy.
GERMANY EXPECTED
NOT TO DELAY REPLY
In all quarers II was believed Ger
many would not delay her reply, but
high officials of the German govern
ment would take it under Immediate
consideration when 1t arrived in Berlin.
The belief was held by well-informed
European diplomats that Germany
would consider carefully the military
advantages OF continued attacks on
enemy ships and consequently, would
consent TO abandon them only if food
supplies were in some way guaranteed,
as German confidenTe is strong that the
allies can be kept at bay in the east
ern and western theaters OF war In
definitely. The effect on Germany's
position OF the possible entry of Italy
into the war, however. is another fac
tor which diplomats think will be
taken into consideration by Germany
In determining whether she will aban-
don her powerful weapon of attack
the submarine. TO destroy enemy com
mercc.
The fact that Germany once before
had agreed to give up her submarine
warfare II she could obtain the un-
restricted passage OF foodstuffs and
rny