Evening star., 1915-05-29

1t is understood that Germany's reply
to the American note will be furnished
to the German press Sunday for publi-
cation
Want Status Defined.
The reply. in substance. will embody
a proposal to the United States to defer
definite consideration of Germany's
submarine policy and President Will
sons demands until the two govern
ments have had an opportunity to es-
ia blish just what sort of vessel was
sunk-to determine whether the Lusi-
tania was a peaceful merchantmen, as
assumed in the American note, or an
auxiliary cruiser on the British navy
list. mounting concealed cannon. carry
ing Canadian soldiers bound for the
front, as well as a cargo of ammuni-
ton and war supplies as indica ted by
information the German government
claims to have.
1t will be in effect an invitation to
define the terms to be used in the ar
gument before proceeding with the dis
cussion. Germany believes it unneces-
sary to take up the questions of dis
avowing the sinking of the Lusitania
or diScontinuing submarine warfare in
general until the two governments
reach an agreement upon the essential
facts in the case.
Germany holds that 1t is impossible
to decide, for instance, the question
whether sufficient opportunity was
given passengers and crew to escape
until it is determined whether the Lusi-
tania was provided with bulkheads and
boats as ordered for corresponding
emergencies In peace times by the in
terna tional congress on safety at sea.
Another question which it is held must
be decided is whether or not ammu-
milton and explosives carried in de-
fiance of American laws accelerated
the sinking Of the ship, which might
boats away safely or reach the coast
Such is, In general. the argument of
the German government, which may be
expected also to display curiosity re-
garding the fate of the American COM
promise proposal to end submarine
warfare and the American govern
ment's efforts to induce England to
accept them.
Thought Gulaight British.
With regard to the cases of the Cush-
ing and the Gulfight, Germany will
point out that she has disavowed re-
peatedly all intention of harming in
offensive neutral shipping even in the
war zone, and will express her COM
p1ete readiness to pay compensation
for unfortunate accidents"
The torpedoing of the steamship
Gulf1ight is now esta ablished as due to
German submarine, the report of the
commander of the submarine in ques-
tion having been received by the ad-
miralty. The commander stated that
when he first saw the Gulflight she was
and he concluded that she must be
British vessel or was carrying contra
band The presence of the patrol boats
the commander reported, made closer
investigation dangerous.
Silent About Nebraskan.
The foreign ONCE and the admiralty
are still without news concerning the
reported torpedoing Of the American
steamship Nebraskan. and deprecate all
discussion of possible effect on Ger
man-American negotiations pending an
authoritative confirmation Of an attack
on the ship. German newspapers have
printed nothing about the Nebraskan
incident since the first Rotterdam dis
patch reporting that the ship had been
torpedoed and that she was still afloat
with the crew safe in her lifeboats.
The Gorlitz Volks Zeitung has been
placed under the censorship for having
published an article on the American
note. The article criticised tho tor
pedoing OF the Lusitania.
LONDON, May 29, 1852 am-The
note of the United States concerning
the sinking of the Lusitania is awaited
with keen interest in England. The
belief is general that Berlin will en-
deavor to gain time by the discussion
of debatable points in the question at
issue.
Defiance Of United States.
LONDON. May 2s.-The Daily TeIe-
graphs Rotterdam correspondent says
that Count Won Reventlow's organ, the
Deutsches Zeitung, under the caption
THE American Call to- German Fear"
publishes an amazing article, which
breathes defiance to the United States
in every line. and declares that Ger
many's submarine warfare will be con-
tinued. regardless of any consideration
The article declares that Germany is
not frightened by any threat of war
on the part of the United States, ac-
cording to the correspondent
THE only German answer to the
American note worthy of our empire"
the article is declared to conclude, "is
that tho submarine war against Brit
ish trade must be carried out by all
means and without consideration.
America may then do or not do what
she likes. We neither care for her
bluff nor for her deeds"