The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-11
the presidents ability to handle the
situation.

the presidents ability to handle the
Refers Interviewers to Bryan.
When the German ambassador left
Secretary's Bryan's office he said he
had delivered the message forwarded
from Berlin
THAT is all 1 can say" he added.
For anything else, respectfully refer
you to the secretary of state''
While the ambassador was talking
Secretary Bryan came out of his Of
flee with an armful of documents.
The ambassador has just delivered
to me a note from his government
which was carried in press dispatches
yesterday said the secretary, point
ing to a document in his hands, which
he took with him to the cabinet meet
ing
Secretary Bryan was asked if there
was any discussion with the German
ambassador concerning the note or
the Lusitania matter.
Nothing that 1 can talk about" he
replied.
Count Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, accepting authentic the
text of Germanys formal expression
of regret for the loss of Americans on
the LuSitania, which was received in
yesterdays news dispatches, formally
presented the statement to the state
department. The official text has not
yet reached the embassy because of
The president made it clear he was
expressing a personal attitude and
not referring to any specific case. That
led to the belief in many quarters that
the president had not reached de-
cision in the Lusitania case and was
speaking his personal feelings as to
the ideal the United States should
have in this situation as well as other
phases of the worldwide war. 1t was
taken that he was endeavoring to ex-
plain broadly that the United States
should seek to serve the cause of hui
mainly by using it's influence to secure
ciples of international law wherever
they have been contravened-
President Weighs Tragedy.
The president said he would make
a decision on the policy to be followed
in the Lusitania case as soon as he had
present he had nothing to add, he said,
to his statement of last Saturday
night, which was that he was consid-
ering very earnestly but very calmly
and that he knew the country expected
him to "act with deliberation as we'll
as with firn1ness.''
Although the general trend of COM
ment was one of surprise at the limi-
tation which the president placed to-
day on the Interpretation of his
speech, those who have followed his
speeches closely pointed out that Mr..
Wilson has frequently spoken implicit
ly rather than explicitly, as his Phila-
delphia audience was Impressed with
the belief that the president was re-
ferring specifically to the Lusitania
tragedy The president indicated by
his remarks today that he meant his
speech to be broader than single in
cident and to cover the entire subject
of foreign relations as well as the sub
ject Of domestic solidarity with refer
ence to the aliens, who have become
n fI7r% Iizn6 in 90
Chairman Stone of the senate for
eign relations committee discussed the
Lusitania disaster with the president
before the cabinet meeting began and
later said he had no expectation that
an extra session of congress would be
called.
ST am for peace with honor" said
Senator Stone. 81 do not know what
Lusitania- 1t is his problem and it
is useless for others to attempt to adj
vise him.
For ship Purchase Bill.
Senator Stone declared he favored
passage of the government ship pur-
chase bill which failed ia the last
congress. Such step, he said, would
provide American ships to carry
American passengers and goods. He
added he took it for granted that the
United States would find means to
protect it's own ships.
Senator La Toilette, another White
House caller, opposed the suggestion
hat diplomatic rela tons with Ger
many be broken off. II am for peace
said Senator La Toilette. L want the
United States to take a firm stand,
out / am opposed to war;
The Philadelphia speech was inter-
oreted by official Washington never
heless as meaning that whatever
course is pursued, the United States
would endeavor to serve the
cause of humanity by appealing to |
Germany to end her submarine war
ARE against unarmed merchant ships
carry nOncombatantS.
Note Direct to Kaiser.
In some quarters the suggestion |
vas made that the president might |
'orego the usual means of diploma tic |
and address a mes 4
age in person to Emperor William. |
t was pointed out by persons hitherto |
n the presidents confidence that he /
night first try to prevent a recur- /
'ence of such an attack as was made |
IN the Lusitania, taking up SUISSE |
luently the question of reparation for |
he loss of American lives. GermanyS |
lisavowal of any intention to destroy |
American lives was looked on by |
many officials as significant of Ger |
nany'S desire to maintain friendly re- |
atoms with the United States, and |
hat her main purpose was to terror
re Great Britain and paralyze trans |
Atlantic travel.
Germany's Condolences Received.
Washington, May 1.-THE German
official expression of re-
yret for the loss of American lives on |
he Lusitania and reiterating that
Germany holds Great Britain respon-
,ib1e, reached the German embassy
here today ard was formally COM
nunicated to Secretary Bryan by |
Count Bernstorff.
All hRaFngnA AIo