The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-01
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menting on the German reply to the American note. the Manchester Guar dan says:
 We do not know how long the war will last but it is clear that if Germany has her way its end will find the nego- tiailons with the United States over the submarine blockade still dragging out their interminable length. The German note does not even reply directly to the American requests that such actions as Inc sinking of the Lusitania should De disavowed and that they should be dis continued. The note actually has the ehrontery to add that the passengers probably would have been saved had 1t not been for the explosion of ammuni- ton which, it Is alleged, was carried by the Lusitania. as though the submarine had torpedoed the ship without intend ing actually to sink her In a word, the united States is offered the prospect of prolonged controversy over points of detail, but no disavowal of what has beon done; no acceptance of the prin- olpies of naval warfare which she as- sumed Germany would be anxious to uphold and not a word as to any change of mind or policy The submarine var Is to be pursued as before and Amer ioan ships and citizens may take the risk"
 "Quasi-Logical Disguises'
 The Pail Mall Gazette says:
 If the slaughter of the Lusitania's $ passenger is to be defended by the as- sertion that the vessel was carrying amm unition. we wonder what excuse is available for Saturdays attempt on the srea ffler Megantic (of the White Star nc). That liner, which was outws I'd bound cannot be worked into any theory of contraband on which Ger many may base the right to murder None of the quasi-logical disguises for frightfulness wll stretch from one of these examples to the other"
 The Westminster Gazette says:
 "Whatever virtue there might have been in the German plea that the Lus- tania was sunk because she was be- !ieved to be carrying ammunition is de- stroyed in advance by the attempt co stop the Megantic Saturday. The Meg antic was outward bound from Llyer- pool and certainly she was not carry ing warlilke supplies In that direction Sine escaped because of her superior speed and not because of any German quaims about sinking an innocent pas sereer ship. The German reply to the American message is exactly what was expected. It avoids any direct answer to the specific questions asked by the United States. The German govern ment in short seeks to gain time"
 New rOrm OI DlplOmdcy
 The Evening Standard says:
 "Germany has discovered a new form of diplomacy. This consists of glaring nisstatements. so readily capable of disproof as scarcely to be worth the trouble of refutation. The note to America declares that the Lusitania dad guns concealed under her deck and carried trained gunners. Apart from other evidence to the contrary. l~ lf-
 cept this in view of the official state rcent of the collector of the port of New York that no guns. mounted or otherwise, were on board. It is pos- sible that Germany thinks to succeed in this gigantic game of bluff, but that only indicates the measure of her self deception. When Washington wants to discuss submarine attacks on neutral vessels on the plane of an interna- tional policy Berlin replies by argu.. mcnts and technicalities.'
 German Comment
 Berlin, May 31.-(Via London, 1:80 n. m l All Berlin newspapers today publish the German answer to President Wilson s Lusitania note, but very few If them make any comment.
 The Nord Duetsche Allgemeine Zeituug publishes the note under headline read ing, "The War"
 The Bourse Zeitung prints a brief and mild editorial reitering that the responsi- bility for the loss of lives lies with those who took on board passengers to use them to a certain extent as hostages against attack"
 The Tages Zeitung publishes extended comment from the pen of Count Revent- low. its naval expert, who says the Ger man reply, together with Germany's ear- Her assurances of willing and good will will erroneously be taken to indicate prep arations to give in and will lead to "a more threatening" demand for obedience