Evening journal., 1915-05-31
READY TO reply
TO germany
contlnned From Pare l

| when the memories of the victims OF tbel
nations greatest war were being honor
ed Above the White House, where the
Chief Executive was secluded in the
study that was occupied by President
Lincoln during the stormy days from
1861 to sos the Stars and Stripes hut-
tered today at half staff. mute outward
evidence that the nations dead had not
been forgotten. Later in the day in his
toric Arlington. in the Virginia hills
across the sluggish Potomac, the Presi
dent and Secretary Bryan We're sched-
ued TO address the survivors of two
wars
The President was slated to speak
to those who wore the Blue and those
who supported the Gray in the old
part OF the cemetery The occasion
was the annual Memorial Day SER
vices. under the auspices of the
Grand Army Of the District OF Colum-
bia. Secretary Bryan's engagement
, was in the new part, where the vic
tins Of Americas last war repose. the
occasion being the dedication of the
, Maine monument OF which striking
feature is the mast and fighting top
OF the Inflated Maine, whose destruc-
ton in Havana Harbor early in 1898,
, precipitatcd hostilitics with Spain.
, Although no one but the President
| knew precisely what the program was
to be. should Germany maintain her
= present attitude. speculation was rife
, in official and diplomatic quarters.
The Presidents powers are of
e course limited. He cannot declare
[ war. but he has the power. should
{ Germany refuse TO accept the Ameri-
e can viewpoint to recall Ambassador
G Gerard from Berlin, thus indicating
that the United States considers that
s Germany's position makes continue
) tion Of diplomatic relations unwar-
5. ranted.
G Break Unless Germany Comedies.
a It was stated on excellent author
G ity today. that the President has not
mapped out complete program.
There is still some hope that Cor
\ many will make the concessions
j called for II not, break must come.
The first step. If diplomatic rela-
= tions are severed. will probably be the
&. calling Of Congress together in spe-
/ cial session. The United States will
q not declare war on Germany. officials
r say, but all seemed satisfied that. II
q we break off diplomatic relations
Germany will be quick in reprisal at
~ once including American shipping in
" the scope of her submarine warfare.
) The big task that would confront
10 the United States II break with Ger
mauy came, would be the financing OF
II some of Germanys present and pros
"A pective foes Russia and France both
: need large supplies of cash. The
a United States was never In such ex-
NJ cellent condition. so far as finances
= are concerned. There has been bill.
r. lion dollar trade balance created as a
result of the war. The outstandine
n national debt is comparatively small
m A war loan would be popular, as many
people have idle cash awaiting invest
n mont. With the government sanction
rel ing. rather than as at present froMn
D. ing on, the aotation of large for.
y eign loans, the market for the latter
would be entirely changed and prices
would advance. instead OF declining
Greece and Roumania have beer
halted in their war preparations
through lack of funds England has
u withheld cash because of calls from
'e hor allies, Russia and France. II
n the United States should become in.
* volved in the conflict against Ger.
A many. however. the Balkan nations
ne viii have little trouble in securing tn;
n, cash they need.
I'd II Is conceded that there would b,
IS intense opposition TO an American al
p lance with any Of the big European
he nations now fighting Germany. Oui
Is quarrel is not based on anything tha
a ~ Nffrnf hoe It.ntnaa
r. ed that Germany respect American
er lives and honor. Holland. also
neutral, has made representations Il
Germany along lines similar [,
Americas because OF the Dutch citi
ay zens lost on the Lusitania. Tht
~ government could act with Holland
~ but Il Is not believed the administra
rot tion would advocate. or Congrs
'nt sanction. any entangling alliano
- with the present belligorents.
~ II is carefully explained. however
ou that as there is still chance Of al
=. amicable adjustment. no suggestion 4
III, future plans is 10 be permitted {
o' leak out at present time that ca
an be declared official. Suggestions ar
ay' EXPECTED to be put forth by Official
on. IN The nature Of feelers. but until
ma break is absolutely certain the Pres
dent and his close advisors will mair
tain silence
May Split Over Arbitration Suggestion
md Rumors were revived again that the
y. might be cabinet division over q
ing German suggestions of arbitration. Se
iss rotary Bryan has been consistent a
ace vocate of arbitration between all n
n. tions. as the sure way Of preventing w,
OF While he has refused positively, publcl
Ior. 10 indicate his stand in the matter.
md has been persistently rumorcd that
CHI wanted the first note 50 framed that
M hitration would be possible. The Pre-
mn dent and his advisors took the view.
is understood. that this would he
right in the abstract, but that uni,
Germany agreed 10 modify her subn
ad rine warfare, arbitration could not
the thought of. Secretary Bryan finally
dav ceptcd this view and acquicsced in {
Z Of note. lie may renew his suggestion no
ar. but il is not believed they will be
ctcd cepted. as the general situation RENAL
rom unchanged.
oem Instead Of golf. in which he so oft
yard indulges as means of relaxation
times of stress. the President left I
White House at 9.l5 o'clock today for
automobile ride.
en- The DECIDING Of the note was a
the ished at 1915 o'clock today. T
hem Official differs from the unofficial co
VIII Of the message. very materially
nifty far as verbiage is concerned. The {
they sential statements in the commune