Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-19
REPLY OF GERMANY
MAY AWAIT EVENTS
Two Important Factors Are
Working Against Early An
swer to Lusitania Note.
ITALY is MOST IMPORTANT
Interim May Also Reveal Course
of This Country Toward
Allies.

wASlIINGTON. May 1s.-.Two i'm
night. are working to delay for an
other "'cek Germany's reply to the
Lusitania note
First. the next few days arc ex-
pccted to show whether Germany will
be confronted with "a new military
situation by the entrance of Italy into
the war.
Second interested diplonatists here
believe the interim of delay will re-
veal whether tho United States. OF it's
own Initiative. Will send general pro-
test 20 the allies against alleged viola
'ions Of international law by interfer-
Ing with commerce between American
ports and neutral European countries
ITALIAN SITUATION
MAY ABSORB ATTENTION
Officials here generally think the
Austro-Italian situation may absorb the
attention of III" German government
and delay final com nposition Of the reply
IL is realized that, should italy become
n belligcrcnt Germany would lose all
hope of obtaining foodstuns or other
supplies through tho Mediterranean
and IL Roumania followed Italy's lead.
4
Southeastern Europe would be cut off
In such circumstances, it was explained
| in diplomatic quarters, Germany would
find the submarine even more invalu-
able as weapon for reducing enemy
supplies and commerce
The Idea tina; the United States Will
send note TO the allies seeking modi-
| ficat!on OF the order in council has it's
origin in quarters where tho convic-
tion IS held that such a move would
demonstrate 10 Germany that the
United States intends to be equally
vigorous IN insisting on the observance
| OF neutral rights by Great Britain and
her allies. making unnecessary an Of
fer by Germany TO return TO the mari
| time rules OF international law If the
allies do likewise.
| Although without definite informa-
ton, there is a disposition in we'll
| informed quarters hero to believe the
President will withhold, any representa-
1 tions 10 England until Germany's reply
is received. because Of a desire to OBJ
tain frank understanding with Ger
! many without duplicating the situa-
ton as existing between the United
States and the allies.
NOTES FOR ENGLAND
ARE BEING PREPARED
1t is known that for several weeks
there have been under preparation two
| notes. eventually TO be sent to Great
Britain, one dealing with the general
subject of contraband and the other
embracing general representations on
detention of vessels plying between
neutral ports carrying noncontraband
American goods.
Secretary Bryan said to-day that from
| twenty TO thirty ships had been de-
tanned by the allies most of them
carrying cotton. He explained that the
State Department was not yet in pos
session of all the facts. and was in
vestigating. British officials here in
dicated that in their opinion most Of
the detentions and delays were due to
carelessness by American shippers in
falling TO give selling prices and other
| information in their invoices
! In diplomatic quarters friendly to
! Germany 1t is confidently believed that
the German reply TO the United States
! Will he conciliatory and make broad
concessions in principle II it is certain
that strong efforts will be made to
induce the allies to abandon their COM
mercial embargo There is little fear
now that any passenger ships will be
torpedoed while the diplomatic discus
. sions are in progress. for II was pointed
| out that since the suggestion OF the
Austrian and German embassies here
that the submarine program he sus-
I pended had reached Vienna and Ber-
lin. there had been no such attacks,
| although many opportunities appar-
emily had presented themselves.
CASE OF LUSITANIA
DEALT WITH SEPARATELY
The Lusitania case, II is believed. will
be dealt with separately from the gem
eral subject in the German reply. Com
mcnts of the Berlin press confirm views
expressed here that Germany will dis
avoW any intention of destroying
American lives. contending that all
would have been saved hut for eX-
plosions In the ammunition cargo
In the general speculation in Of
fetal and diplomatic circles as 10 the
possible severance of diplomatic rela-
tions between the United States and
Germany, Brazil and Argentina are
mos; frequently mentioned as the ma
tions likely to take over the diplomatic
interests OF the United States in Ger
many and Austria. as we'll as those Of
countries whose affairs now are cared
for by the American embassies and
consulates.
TEXT OF AMERICAN NOTE