Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-05-31

creasingly grave by the reply from
Berlin to the American note sent as a
consequence of the Lusitania disaster,
pessimism and high tension were ap,
parent.
Officials Disappointed
The official text of the note from
Germany had arrived and was before
the President early to-day. Officials
generally read 1t with profound dis
appointment for, they pointed out, It
endeavored to obscure and evade the
main issues-the questions of human
ity involved-and sought to interpose
technical argument on matters of
law hitherto undisputed under the
universally accepted laws of nations.
Most important of all, it was noted,
that no attention was given to the re-
quest OF the United States for assur-
ance that American lives would be
safeguarded in the future.
The course of the United States
Government is expected to be shaped
by the President before the day is
over and will be discussed at to-mor-
rows Cabinet meeting. Through Am
bassador Gerard the President has
known for several days of the disap-
pointing character of the German
note. What his action will be is un-
Known to anyone but himself-if. in
deed, he has formed definite conciu-
sions.
Second Note Likely
From previous knowledge of the
Presidents feeling over the Lusitania
disaster in which more than 100
Americans lost their lives, 1t is con-
1idently believed in many quarters that
he will order the dispatch of a second
note to Berlin within "a or 4S hours.
answering Germany's request for the
facts of the Lusitanias cargo and
equipment with re-statement of the
circumstances as made clear in the
nrst American note and an intimation
that prompt reply is expected. Ref
erence, it is believed, will be made to
the understanding of the American
Government that another American
vessel-the Nebraskan-has been tor
pedoed without warning while the
diplomatic discussion was in progress
and urgent inquiry. 1t is thought, will
be made as to what effective measures
VIII be taken Immediately by the
German Government to prevent fur
ther destruction of American lives and
property.
Legal officers of the United States
Government say the American point
of view on the legal questions involved
has never been disputed in the past by
Germany or any other nation of the
world In any of the essential features
Analysing the German reply, it was
pointed out that the German accent
ance of responsibility for attacks on
the American ships Gulflight and the
Gushing with expressions of regret and
offers of reparation, could not aid
materially in clearing up the situation,
since it was declared in the American
note such promises do not remove a
dangerous practice.
Continued attacks on American ves-
sells even though hostile intent may be
disavowed in each case, is regarded
by American officials as constituting
In total effect hostile practice.
The discussion in the German note
of the sinking of the British steamer
! Falaba on which Leon C. Thresher, ar
American citizen lost his life was not
surprising to officials for there has
been controversy in the reports ot
| the German Government and the af-
! lfidaVits of survivors over the length
of time given the Falaba to transfer
passengers-a point that has never
been satisfactorily established.
Carried No Guns
Germany's contention that the Lusi
| tania was built as an auxiliary cruiser
and was on the British naval list anC
that IL was armed with cannon wa.
|
ters that the merchant ships of al
nations may be commandeered by the
respective governments in times o.
war, but the change from a peaceful
merchantmen to an armed auxiliary
naval vessel is a proceeding of such
distinct character as to leave no doub
as to when ii has taken place. Grea
Britain's practice always has been, /
was pointed out, to place commits
| stoned naval officer in command O
converted merchantmen which ar,
Communicated only in home ports anC
to equip the vessel with guns. Ac
cording to report of an official investi
cation by government officials befor,
the Lusitania was granted clearanc,
from New York the ship carried n,
guns, mounted or unmounted. More
lover, there has been an agreement 70
several months between the United
States and Great Britain that no BRIT
ish merchant ships leaving American
iports shall carry any guns.
The argument in the German not
that the Lusitania carried Canadian
troops and ammunition is regarded b.
officials as irrelevant for they declar,
it is well known that no Canadian
troops could pass as an organized
body over American, soil and the sail
ing of a few unarmed individuals doe
not constitute an armed expedition
under international law.
state Department officials compar
ed to-day the official text of the Ger
man note with the text as made publi
in the press dispatches.
The text of the official dispatcl
differs in some of the phraseology
it was explained, but there is no diff
ference whatever in the sense convey
ed"
The difference is attributed to tn
fact that the official and unofficia
translations were made by differen
persons, with resulting unavoidab bl
differences in the English wording.
One of the difficulties in translation
between the official and unofficia
texts of the note occurs in the para
graph alleging that the Lusitania wa
armed. The unofficial text read:
THE Lusitania, too, according I
information received here had canno
aboard, which were mounted and con
cealed below decks"
The official text reads:
According to reports at hand here
the Lustania, when she left Ne,
York, undoubtedly had guns on boarC
which were mounted under decks an
masked"
State department officials said thi
was the principal difference in tn
note.
CHICAGO CATTLE
BY Associated Press
Chicago. ILL.,. May 81. - Hogs - Re
fnfc oh n,tfIr nH I1s