The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-13

tNoHtinueu from FIRST PAEe.l
country. At the same time the Presi-
dents advisers are extremely hopeful
that is language will not be offensive
to the German Government. II con-
tains no bluster or actual threats. It
is described as an exceedinly dignified,
business-like communication, but ex-
pressed with firmness that will meet
the expectations of the American pub
lie.
The President and his advisers,
in determining the character OF
the note, were fully conscious of
the eyentuaIities which might
follow. These were weighed with
the greatest care and the deter
mination was reached that the
United States owed it not only to
herself, but to humanity. to ac-
cept the risk.
Founded On Bread Principles.
The note will be founded not only
on the principles of International law,
to which the United States will ask
Germany to conform. but upon the
broader grounds of humanity. 1t is
apparent that the President in this
note hopes. among other things, to
be able to arouse the conscientiousness
of the German people and open a way
to the German Government to meet
the representations of the United
States on humanitarian grounds with
a minimum OF embarrassment TO her
self
The issue between the United states
and Germany will be Just as serious as
the imperial government desires to
make it. There will be no war unless
Germany herself takes the initiative In
the event of the kaiser refusing to con
cede the American demands II viii be
incumbent upon the United States to
make good its determination to hold
Germany to strict accountability
This would be likely to take the form
OF severing of diplomatic relations
with Germany by the United States II
would then be up to Germany to make
TO make it. II 1t went to the extent of
a break In diplomatic relations, officials
here fear that a more serious situation
would be sure to develop rapidly.
Cnsfder Eventaaiittes.
It was learned today that the Presi-
dent and his advisers tn determining
their policy had given consideration to
the most serious possibilities in the
case. There has ben a disposition In
many quarters to belitle the pressure
which the United States might be able
! w oAihH ~ prdE upon III tnG
event of clash. It is known that some
Washington officials have reached an
entirely different conclusion. They be-
lieve that the resources of the United
states in the manufacture of munitions
or war could be expanded immeasura bly,
beyond the present capacity. and that
there would be no danger OF the neces-
sity to cut off shipments to France,
England and Russia in order to conserve
the demands of the United States.
Furthermore. it is pointed out that the
vast financial resources of this country
under war stimulus would be factor
of incalculable value
These matters have been cited
merely as indicating grounds for
hopefuiness that Germany may hest
tate to bring about break with the
United states, and may give salts
faction in the diplomatic negotia-
ticnE.
The chief element Of danger rec
ognixed In the course which the
United States is about to pursue is
that the minimum which this Gov
eminent asks of Germany is more
possible to grant consistently with her
own conception OF national honor.
Point of View Different.
It in reas!ged in official quarters
that the point Of view OF united Ger
many Is different from that of most
Americans and that the German Gov
eminent and people are SO obsessed
by the struggle in which they are en-
gagged that they can hardly be de-
pended upon to view anything Affect
ing their conflict In the light of cold
reason. Consequently. the gravest
fears are entertained that the Ger
man Government will not feel that 1t
can either accept responsibility and
make reparation for the loss of this
scores OF American victims or admit
that what she has been doing II wrong
~ the extent OF promising never TO do