Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-11

Soniteo states, so that their Foreign
tomces might he promptly advised.
analysis of the unofficial text of the
note confirmed Impressions given by
s Ambassador Gerard during the last few
i days. that practically none OF the
: american demands would be needed
: The American ambassador had reason
Ito believe two weeks ago that n fav-
4 orapie answer might be expected. but
within the last week has cabled Wash
s1ngton repeatedly not to expect n salts
!. factory answer
PROPOSALS SIMILAR
TO VIEWS OF BRYAN
Just what was responsible for the
s final Discriminate of the German gov
"a eminent 10 refuse to give the assur-
( ances asked for in the American note,
officials here would not say Many of
them, however. did not hesitate to COM
ment upon the apparent similarity in
the proposals made by Germany with
the views expressed by former Score
tary Bryan. There have been frequent
fntimations. too. through official
sources here that, since the resignation
OF Mr.. Bryan. high German officials be-
1ieved public sentiment in. the United
States would not continue unanimously
to support the position taken by
President Wilson.
Editorial comment of American
newspapers was read with deep in
terest by officials, and there was salts
faction when il was learned that APP
parently the newspapers attitude
largely conceded with the official view
here-that the German suggestions
could not be accepted.
Outwardly, Ollie ial quarters displayed
the normal half-holiday air OF quiet.
Secretary Lansin. spent the afternoon
at homo at work on memoranda on the
situation. Secretary Tumulty was in
frequent communication by telephone
with President Wilson.
The date of Mr.. LansinGs departure
for Cornish with the official text of the
reply has not been decided. Only three
sections of the five, in which the note
was coded by Ambassador Gerard. had
reached here late to might. Tomorrow
the complete text will be available. and
will be made public. Secretary Lans-
ing said he had no reason to doubt the
correctness of the press copy, which
arrived here earlier, because 1t was not
enciphered in transmission, but he
could not take the question formally
under consideration until the official
text was In his hands
Several Cabinet officers were absent
from the city, but 1T is probable that
they Will send the President their sug-
gestions in advance of the next Cabi-
net meeting. Count Won Bernstorff,
the German ambn ssador, who was here
to-day from his summer residence,
would make no comment. II was indi-
Gated, however, in German diplomatic
circles that the reply was viewed as
opening the way to further friendly
discussion
OPINIONS VARY As TO
PRESIDENTS COURSE
Opinions varied as 10 the Presidents
proba BILE course, but il was believed
likely he would again await the crystal
lization of public sentiment in the
country and endeavor in his next move
to interpret the wishes of the Ameri-
can people.
The whole question, in the minds OF
many officials, seemed TO hinge on
whether Germany again violates tho
rights for which the United States con-
tends. II was recognized that since
the negotiations began German subma
rines have given warnings, as in the
cases OF the Armenian and the Anglo
Californian.
Germany's treatment Of the Lusitania
case seemed, in the view OF some Of
hcials, TO offer a possible obstacle TO
prolongation of the negotiations. as
the United States asked for n disavowal
OF the act and received none.
The general feeling among officials
here to-day was that no forecasts
should be made until the President had
returned. Those familiar with the pro-
gressive development of the American
attitude however. believed that. hay-
ing stated Its position, the only course
left open for the United States was
announcement that IL intended TO as
sert lis right as established under the
rules of international law. That would
mean. in effect that the United States
would await violation by Germany
before taking qftian TO compel respect
for the rights asserted.
There was a revival of talk OF sever
ance Of diplomatic relations il being
recalled that in the cabinet meeting
OF May II, when the sinking of the
Lusitania hrst was considered, there
was an informal understanding that If
the negotiations TO secure reparation
for the loss OF American lives on the
Lusitania failed. The American govern
ment might lie justified in discon,inu
ing diplomatic intercourse with Ger
many. Gcrmauy's complete evasion
for liability for the loss of Americans
on the iusi,ania has revived the sub
ject acutcly.
Analysing the German answer to-day.
officials found little on which IL APP
peared THAI the negotiations could be
further prolonged The United States
had devoted its attention TO the prin-
ciple that Americans should be able TO
travel Oh the high seas on unarmcd
and unresisting bclligercnt merchant
ships of any nationality. Assurances
mad been asked that before any de-
strnction would be attempted. the visit
and search OF peaceful vessels and the
transfer OF passengers and crew TO a
place OF safety would hc Accomplished
Germany. in its latest note has ignored
that question and has shifted. now en-
phasizing the conditions under which
II would promise complete immunity
from danEnr 10 Amerlcans traNeli.II.