Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-07-08
SITUATION IS PERPlEMNG
Officials Unwilling to Enter into
An Informal Discussion of
Questions Which They Hold
We're Clearly Stated in the
American Note.

Washington july 1.-I'pon President
Wilson tonight rests the decision as To
what reply, If any shall he sent to Am
assador Gerard's message outlining the
tentative draft Of note submitted to him
informally by the German foreign office
as a proposed answer to the American
con1n1unica tion Of June concerning suh-
marine warfare.
Secretary Lansing and other advisers
Of the President have transmitted to him
at his summer residence at Cornish. y
H, their views on the matter. II was
officially stated tonight however. that
M word had heen received as vet as 70
the Presidents position. II also was init
mated that Mr.. Wilson might not he
ready to act until tomorrow or Friday
a there are delicate questions involved
which require the utmost care and de
liberation.
During the dav Count Won Bern
storff. the German amba ssador called
on Ny. Lansing and asked informallv
negotia ations conducted through Am
bassador Gerard in Berlin The secre
tarv gave him no intimat'on as TO the
course the United states government
would follow
After the conference II wa sath
Count Bernstorff learned that Anabas-
sador Gerards message was not Of
character which would necessarily re
quire An answer. There is little doubt
IN official quarters that the German
proposals in THEW present form would
be unaccerta BILE TO the United states
government.
The situation is somerhat rerrlexin- g
to officials hare becaus. the, are re-
'nctart to engage IN an inforr1al dis
cussion of questions mich the hold
We've olearlv stated in the American
note IT the sa me time thev are anxious
that Germany NAV have No nisc ono >r -
tion as to that the United States would
or would not accept
II u'as said that Mr. Gerards MESA ge
did not make clear whether the German
government had asked him to obtain the
views Of tha United States on the ten
tatve draft or whether in showing hin,
!
erican government could if II choose
comment on II before the not. vas CON,
peted AS a result of his -orferencex.
| however the AMBASSADOR asked II the
state department had any instructions
for him.
In the circumstances il is entirely pos
sible for tho Washington govern nlent 20
maintain silence with respect to the am
| bassadors inquiry
Some Of the President. advisers seem
10 think advantage should be taken Of tht,
| opportunity to reiterate most firmly that
the United states having stated its posi-
( tion on the law and the facts can make
no concessions from It's strictv lega, po-
sition until there is clear understand
/ ing on Germany's attitude toward the
rrinciple compelling visit and search be
fore destroying unresistina merchant
men.
| While the optimism which prevailed as
a result of Amba ssador Gerard early
message has been somewhat dissipated by
the unsatisfactory character Of some Of
the proposals made in the tentative draft
the situation still was regarded among
well informed officials as susceptible Of
! a friendly settlement.
According to Secretary Lansing no in
forma tion has come as to the date vhen
the German reply viii be formally deliv-
cred to Ambassador Gerard
Just what Cermanv proposed has not
been officially divulged Secretary Ian
sing stated merely that there had t<en
no exchange of views or informal negotis
tions between Germany and the United
States and declined to predict whether
there would he.
| From Berlin dispat and authorits
tive sources here it is learned, however
that the note as drafter by the German
foreign office with Emperor william q
subsequent approval would give as
surances that Americans might travel
with safety on the high seas on certain
conditions imposed by Germany such
as the marking of helligerent vessels
CARRYING Americans, notification by the
United States to Germany of the date oi
departure and character of such vessels
and an inspection insnrng their non
carriage Of munitions OF war