New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-14
Lansing Also Busy
Says Wilson in
Informal Note.
HIS ADVISERS
ARE UNANIMOUS
Officials Forecast Next
Word to Germany Will
Be Final in Tone.
NO DELAY is LIKELY
Chief Executive Engaged in Try"
ing to Find Basis for an
Understanding.
NO DELAY is LIKELY
[From The Tribune Buresu.l

From The Tribune Bureaul
Washington, July 13.-An official
statement from President Wilson,
given out at the White House to-
night, gives the first direct infor-
nation as to his plans, and, in
showing the care which he is taking
to prepare his reply to Germany. in
Inmates how serious he considers
the situation. The statement is
given added emphasis by persistent
reports in high official circles that
the reply will be practically final.
stating the position of the United
States clearly, and leaving no room
for further discussion or evasion.
The statement follows:
referring to statements appear"
ing in certain morning newspapers
with reference to the attitude of the
President toward the reply Of the
German government, Secretary
Tumulty this evening gave out the
following telegram which he had re-
ceived from the President:
"'Please say that from the mo-
ment of the arrival of the official
text of the German note, l have
given the matter the closest atten-
ton, keeping constantly in touch
with the Secretary of State and
with every source that would throw
light on the situation; that so soon
as the Secretary Of State and l
have both maturely considered the
situation, shall 90 to Washington
to get into personal conference with
him and with the Cabinet, and that
there will be as prompt an an
nouncement as possible of the pur-
poses of the government '"
Crucial Point Reached.
So far as can be gathered here, the
President will find his advisers practl-
callv unanimous in the belief that the
crucial point in the correspondence
with Germany over submarine warfare
has arrived, and that if the American
government is not to recede from its
previously announced position on the
PRINCIPLES involved the next note must
convey more or less pointedly the pur-
poses of the United States in the event
of further violations Of American rights
in the war zone.
The general view here is that, ire
spective of what course may be fol-
lowed in the Lusitania case, state
ment of the purpose of the United
States to assert its rights, notwith-
standing Germany's inhibitions on the
use of belligerent ships by Americans,
is likely to be made in the next note.
That such action would not necessarily
lead TO a rupture in relations is gsner-
ally recognized, unless an overt act or
fragrant violation Of the principles for
which the United States has been con-
tending should ensue.
To Shorten Discussion.
Many officials have expressed pri-
vately the view that the next American
note TO Germany will have a decided
tone of fnality and will leave no op-
portunity for further parley. II is for
this reason, they say that the Presi-
dent is excee( ingly deliberate in his
action, and will avoid giving any eX-
preston of his views 70 the public un-
ill his mind is fully made up.
Secretary Lansing is deyoting the
major portion of his time 20 the prob
lem, but as yet has not approached Il
in its broader aspects. II e IS prepar.
ing a detailed answer 10 the individual
points raised by Germany, and his con-
clusions will be presented 10 the Presi-
dent on his return in the form OF a
memorandum. These data, together
with any notes the President may have
made in the meantime, will be care
fully reviewed before any step is taken
toward deciding the actual terms or the
reply, n Ill. -. p-..i1.,.
is making every effort TO find in the
German note some hint OF a possible
basis for an understanding. In certain
quarters. il is thought, Germany's
statements concerning her desire for
the freedom Of the seas" should be
taken at their face value.
What United States Might Do.
Il is suggested that this government
might propose 10 Germany cessation
Of submarine attacks without warning,
in return for which the United States
might agree 70 exert every effort 10
secure guarantees from Great Britain
against unlawful restraints on COM
merce. In this way the ideal Of the
freedom Of the seas" for which Ger
many declares she is striving might bs
realized.
Many officials say, however, that il Is
futile to hope Germany would consent
20 such an arrangement, even should
/ this government suggest II, which is
doubtful. 1t is pointed out that were
Germany sincerely desirOqs Of aehiev