The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-05-12
ASKS GERMANY
FOR ACCOUNTING
Presidents Note Firm and Busness-Lke viii
Demand "Strict Accountability for Lusitania
Tragedy Severance of Diplomatic Relations
Declared Not to Be impossible

United States government in a note to
Germany today, formally demands of
the imperial government a strict ac-
counting for the loss of American lives
in the skiing of the Lusitania and in
violation of American rights in the wa,
zone
1t also asks guarantees that there
will be no repetition of such events or
practices with the plain intimation
that the United States is prepared to
meet any eventuality that may arise
from a noncompliance. The communi-
cation, phrased in Enthusiastically en-
phatie language, was prepared to be
cabled to Berlin by nightfall.
Written by President Wilson and ap-
proved unanimously by members of
the cabinet, the note was being care
fully reviewed by Counsellor Lansing
and the law offices Of the government
at the state department today to make
sure that its phraseology covered every
point of law involved.
The White House officially an
nounced the fact that the President
had finally determined the course of
action to be pursued in the following
statement issued by Secretary Tumultv
after conference with the President:
The course of the President has
been determined. 1t will be announced
just so soon as it is proper to publish
the note now in preparation
The note asks Germany for an az
counting for the series of violations of
American rights in the war zone-not
only financial, but moral-and guar
antee that there will be no repetition
of unlawful practices of German sub
marines
Late today or early tomorrow, the
note now approved by the cabinet, will
be sent to Ambassador Gerard to be
presented to the Berlin government.
Members of the cabinet who have al
ways advocated vigorous measures. are
satisfied with its terms.
Conservative members approve of it
also.
That it maintains the dignity and
honor of the United States was their
unanimous opinion.
The President, it is said, realized
fully the gravity of the meaning of the
note, and was prepared for any even
Qualities
The note does not say exactly what
the course of the United States viii
be in case of refusal, nor would cabi-
net officials give information today be-
yond saying that each situation would
be considered as it arose.
In official quarters the severance of
diplomatic relations was declared not
to be impossible if there was no abate-
ment of German practices.
1t was learned that the President
framed his policy Sunday night and
that specific utterances in his speech
in Philadelphia Monday are not re.
fiected in the phrases of the note.
1t is described as business-like note,
demanding the ''strict accountability
| which the United States in its former
note to Germany said it would demand.
1t is said it not only asks for ter
mination of unlawful methods of sub
| marine warfare on merchant ships, but
reparation in full to families of the
victims of the Lusitania tragedy.
Everywhere in official circles today,
as details of the President s plan of
action became known, there was talk
of frmness and stiffening of the United
States position toward Germany.
The statement was taken to mean
that the American government observ-
ing the usual diplomatic amenities,
would await the receipt of the eommu-
nication in Berlin before making it
| public.
At first there were some suggestions
that the communication be sent per
| sonally by the President to Emperor
William, but Mr.. Wilson determined
that it should be addressed not to an
individual, but to the German govern
/ ment and through it to the German
people.
As for reparation the United States
naturally win seek financial repara-
tion, but its protest now is in the
name of international law and human,
ity to obtain guarantee that such
tragedies viii not be repeated and the
lives of non-combatants sacrificed.
| While high officials were retieent tc
discuss its contents it was agreed that