The Washington herald., 1915-05-31

far in satisfying the United States a
regards the GulfIight and Gushing. al
was represented in the Berlin summaries
Germany does not acknowledge that the
attacks on these two American vesseis
were "unintentional." She does moi
even express regret for these attacks
She merely says that an investigation Is
in progress to determine the facts In
these cases and IL Germany is at fault
she will offer her regrets and compen'
sation in accordance with promises al
ready made to neutral nations In regard
to neutral vessels This Is taken to
mean that Germany. if she finds that
the Gulflight and Gushing were carry.
ing contraband of war. Will regard the
attacks as justified, so far as her SUBJ
marine program is concerned.
Germany Expresses Regrets.
As a matter of fact. the only specific
conces ession that the United States obtains
from Germany in this note is an express
sion OF regret in regard to the loss Of
life of Americans on the Lusitania and
a promise to compensate for noncontra-
band carrying American vessels which
may have been sunk through Germany s
fault Neither of these concessions Is
new Both were contained In previous
notes to the State Department.
Although no reference is made to aroi-
tration. the context of the note shows
that Germany stands committed to her
pervious offer to submit to The Hague
for Investigation cases of noncontraband
carving vessels of neutral nations where
Germany is not satisfied of her own re-
sponsibility. This offer of arbitration in
no way affects the Lusitania and Falaba
cases.
The administration has attuned its ear
to catch the first expressions OF public
opinion which will indicate the attitude
OF the country toward the German re-
DIV. There will be no official intimation
keynote of public opinion has been
sounded.
The President and his advisers will
Utilize to the utmost the interval between
now and the meeting Of the Cabinet to-
morrow morning to gauge tho temper or
the American people on the issue pre-
sented by the German communication.
wilson's Course Conjectured.
Consideration of what the President
has already said to Germany in his two
notes on the subject of submarine war
fare and Germany's total failure to re-
spond to the issues and principles as pre-
sented to her by this government. has
led to the conclusion among observers
hero that il will be very difficult for the
President to stop short of utterly reject
ing the German note and declaring 1t
wholly una cceptable to the United States.
II is recalled that in February he in
formed Germany that it would be held to
a strict accountability" for the destruc-
tion of American life and property on
tbe high seas; that he served notice that
,h. United States would take such steps
.s we're necessary to protect the lives Of
;ts citizens in case their rights were out
r.1ed Their rights were outraged in
a number of cases, whereupon. the Presi-
Ant demanded a disavowal by Germany
of these acts, reparation for injuries
suffered. .Sand guarantees for the future.
u.,tb the implied demand that German
subma rine operations as at present con-
ducted cease altogether. To all this Ger
,,,,nv has responded with little more than
,,,;hb,es and a catechism of the United
States.
1her. In no dissension, even in conserva-
,,ve of,cial quarters, from the view that
tho German note Is most unsatisfactory.
VI n /. significant fact that in no
an,r.er is there found any certainty Of
oninion as to what the administration
will do about 1t. In diplomats circles.
where it Is held that the German note
f.iIs completely to meet any one OF the
proEt0enI
deen-seated belief that this government
will let the issue slip into the innocuous
stage of diplomatic correspondence.
Cabinet L. Divided.
This belief. shared also in many other
quarters. Is based first on the opinion
,hot the country itself will be willing
thai such a course be adorted. It 10 also
nartly due to the knowledge that the
"a binet 10 not united on the issue. the
of State leading . minority
willing to 70 to any lengths on principle.
IN avoid danger of q rupture with Ger
many, and another section Of the cabinet
fayorinE the easiest course on the
grounds of political expediency. Further
more. the attitude Of many officials re-
GENTLY has been such ~ TO Indicate that
the administration, IL 1t ,ought the
country would accept 1t. would let the
submarine issue take IL '.,arss thrsuxh