The hummer. (Houston, Miss.) 1914-19??, 1915-06-04
CAUSES GRAVE SITUATION
Washington Disappointed at Reply.
Belief ls Wilson VIII Not Tenn
porize With Berlin.

Washington Germans reply to the
American note concerning the sinking
Ct the Lusitania. with less Of more
than 100 American lives, produced a
feeling Of profound disappointment
here. Dissatisfaction at the failure Of
Germany to answer the demands Of
the United States was reflected in gov
eminent circles generally.
President Wilson had retired early
before the text OF the note arrived
but from a reading Of the summary
published and Ambassador Gerard's
forecasts, he had an accurate impress
sion Of what Il contaised.
Secretary Bryan would make no com
ment. Other cabinet officers were ret
icent, but there was little concealment
anywhere that the answer from Ber-
lin had produced a grave situation in
the relations between the United
States and Germany. Just what course
OF action the United States viii pur-
sue Is undetermined.
Press dispatches giving the text OF
the reply came during the evening and
we're sent to the White House. The
official text from Ambassador Gerard
arrived just before midnight.
From a previous knowledge Of Presi-
dent Wilson's position, 1t was general
ly predicted that a prompt answer
would be sent to Berlin, perhaps with
in "A or As hours after he has read the
note. This is expected to give the Am
erican governments understanding Of
the facts-that the Lusitania was I'M
armed and carried no concealed guns,
that she sailed from the United States
a peaceful merchantmen, and that un-
der all rules Of international law and
humanity the vessel should have been
visited and searched and her passen-
gers transferred to a place Of safety,
whether she carried ammunition or
not
American law does not prohibit ans
munition from being carried on pas
senger ships. It will be asserted, but
only self-exploding material, and I'm
ers in the past have been permitted to
carry arms and ammunition by special
ruling Of the state department on the
meaning Of federal statutes.
Germany's failure even to discuss
the reparation demanded by the Amer
lean note, and evasion Of the request
that guarantees be given that Amer
lean vessels and lives be not endan-
gered in the future are the main
points, however, which the United
States government, # was generally
believed, would advert in the second
note
The expressions Of regret and offers
Of reparation for unintentional attacks
on neutral ships are expected to have
/ little weight in determining the nature
Of the response of the United States.
When the note Of May IS was sent, It
was pointed out that such promises
I did not remove the risks to which
American vessels and lives were sub
jected-and to support this conten-
ton, the United States win add, It is
said, that the American steamer Ne
braskan was torpedoed without warn
ing within the last few days.
While it is generally thought the
United States will answer Germany's
request for facts with a restatement
Of the circumstances as recited in the
American note of May 10, the prompt
ness with which the reply will be dis
patched is counted upon to serve as an
/ indication that the American govern
ment wishes an early answer and does
not desire to engage in protracted
diplomatic discussion.
Persons close to President Wilson
have learned that he is determined to
obtain reparation for the Lusitania vic
Tins and assurances OF respect for
American rights in future, and that
/ failing this, he would not hesitate 20
sever diplomatic relations with Ger
many.