The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-07-09
WILSON
WILL DECIDE ANSWER
If Germany's Message is Answ-
cred at All He Will Decide.
BUT VERY LITTLE DELAY.
While Outline OF Note is Not Favor
able, Friendly Settlement is
Still Expected.

's"h ASNpSStCus
Washington, July 7.-President
Wilson personally will decide what
reply, If any, shall be sent to Ambas-
sador Gerard's message outlining the
tentative draft of a note submitted
to him informally as a proposed an
swer to the American communication
concerning submarine warfare.
Secretary Lansing and others have
transmitted to the President at Cor
nish, n. H., their views on the policy
they believe ought to be pursued. 1t
was stated officially tonight, however.
that no word had been received as
to the Presidents position. 1t was
intimated that Mr.. Wilson might not
be ready to act until Friday as deli
cate questians involved required care
and deliberation.
During the day Count Won Bern
storff, the German ambassador, back
from his summer home at Cedar
hurst, asked Mr.. Lansing informally
| concerning the latest phases of the
| negotiations in Berlin. The secre-
tary outlined in a general way what
had been transmitted by Ambassador
Gerard, but gave no intimation as to
the course the United States would
follow. Count Won Bernstorff said
he had no advices of his own concern
in the situation.
1t was said that Coun Won Bern
storff learned that Ambassador Ger
ards message was not of a character
which necessarily would require an
answer. There is little doubt in Off
| cial quarters that the German pro-
prosals in their present form would
be unacceptable to the United States.
The situation is perplexing officials
here because they are reluctant to en-
gage in an informal discussion of
matters which they hold were stated
| clearly in the American note.
1t was said that Ambassador Ger
ards message did not make clear
whether Germany had asked him to
obtain the views of the United States
on the tentative draft or whether in
showing him copy the implication
was that the American government
could comment on it before the note
was completed. After his conference,
however the ambassador asked if the
tions for him.
Some of the Presidents advisers
seem to think advantage should be
taken of the opportunity to reiterate
| that the United States having stated
it's position can make no concessions
or consider any temporary arrange
ment until there is a clear under
standing on Germany's attitude to-
ward the principle compelling visit
and search before destroying unrc-
sisting merchantmen.
While the optimism which has pre-
| vailed in official quarters as result
OF Ambassador Gerard's early mes
| sages has to some extent been lissi-
pated by the unsatisfactory charac.
/ ter OF proposals in the tentative
/ draft, the situation still was regard
! ed as susceptible o. q frierGly seLt'e-
ment. Emphasis WAS laid ON the fact
"at the GC.nan iorciGn Office an
( L.rently Sec9.A anxious 90 le"rr the
minimum OF the American demands
/ and the belief was EXPRESSED that
I further conferences with other de-
| partments of the government and
even with Emperor William himself
| might be planned in the event that
the proposed note as shown TO Am
bassador Gerard was not viewed ia
vorably by the United States.
Secretary Lansing said 10 intima-
tion had come az to the date when
/ the German reply would be formally
delivered to Ambassador Gerard