Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-18
EARLY ANSWER TO NOTE
EXPECTED FROM BERL|N
Ambassador Gerard Reports He Has
Read Document to Foreign
Minister Won Jagow.
NO INTINLATIoN OF ATTITUDE
German and Austrian Ambassadors
In Washington Understood to Be
Endcavoring to Prevent Rupture
OF Friendly Relations.

WASHINGTON, May 17.-Germany Is
expected to answer the LusItania note
before the end Of this week Ambas-
sador Gerard cabled the State Depart
ment to-day that he had read the docu-
ment to Herr Won Jagow, the Foreign
Minister. and that an early reply would
be forthcoming.
The ambassador was given no into
nation of the feeling of the German
government He was assured merely
that the subject would require consid-
eFatione by high officials, and that a
reply would be ready soon. AS the
press had not been permitted to pub
lish the text OF the note, the ambas-
sador also was unable to report on
the state of public opinion.
In the meantime, both Count Won
Bernstorf, the German ambassador,
and Dr. Constantin T. Dumba, the Aus
trian ambassador. are understood to
be actively endeavoring to prevent n
rupture OF friendly relations between
Germany and the United States.
Neither of the diplomatists would
discuss the subject to-day. DR.. Dumbo
conferred with Secretary Bryan and
later with other officials at the State
Department. 1t is known that he dis
cussed informally the situation pro-
duced by the sinking of the LusitanIa
ana the sending of the American note,
and 1t is understood also that Secre-
tary Bryan apprised President Wilson
OF the substance OF the conversation.
Later DR.. Dumba conferred with
Count Won Bernstorff.
CAUTION GOVERNMENTS
TO BE VERY CAREFUL
Both the Austrian and German am
bassadors are understood TO have tele-
graphed to their governments urging
suspension Of subm1 ne attacks on
passenger ships while the diplomatic
discussions are in progress They have
cautioned extreme care, lest the sink
ing OF another ship with American lives
aboard may lead to an Immediate
break in the relations of the United
States with Germany
Austria Is watching with much in
terest the situation with which her ally
is confronted, and her influence Is be-
ing used in the direction of assisting
in peaceful settlement. Neither the
German nor the Austrian amba ssador
is informed yet as to the policy the
German government finally will fol-
low. That Count Bcrnstorff is en-
deavoring to secure tho adoption OF n
policy by his government which will
satisfy public opinion in Germany with
reference to the continued use of the
submarine as a commerce DESTROYER.
ana still meet the American appeal for
humane treatment Of passengers and
crews or bclligerent vessels, is the pre-
Nalent belief i'll many quarters
N1tA
Germany will reterate her willingness
10 abandon her present submarine
warfare on merchant ships and follow
the maritime prize laws. If neutrals
Will influence the allies to permit the
shipment OF foodstums to civilians in
bclligerent territory.
MAY ADDRESS GREAT BRITAIN
ON OPERATIONS OF FLEET
In this connection, there has 1cen
some consideration given in official
quarters here to the advisability of
sending note of protest to Great Brit
ain against the actual operations of its
heet In enforcing the blockade OF COM
merce with Germany.
While the United States recognized
the right of the allies to maintain an
cItectiNe blockade OF the German coast
~ "cNe' mas duiiilttcd thelr right to in
terrupt trade with neutral countries
unless 1t Is proved to be OF contra
band character with an ultimate enemy
destination. Many noncontraband car
goes bound for neutrals arc said to
nave boen detained, and the sending of
All emphatic note to Great Britain on
the subject In the near future would
tCon ttnucd on Second ragc)
souTHERN's BIRMINGHAM SPECIAL.