South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-11
Announcement Likely to Be
Made Soon Outlining Course
of Action to Be Pursued by
United States.
PEACE WITH HONOR"
IS LIKELY SOLUTION
President Says Philadelphia
Speech Presents His Per-
SonaI View, But Is Not Indi-
CatiVe of National Policy.

WASHINGTON. May 1.-THE Lusi-
taDia tragedy was the sole topic of
discussion at an extended meeting of
the cabinet today, at which every
member was present 1t is believed
that the presidents policy toward
Germany was formulated at this ses-
sion.
Reports are current that an an
nouncement soon Will be forthcoming
regarding the procedure of the United
States The cabinet meeting today
was the first time that the president
had consulted with his advisers since
the torpedoing of the Lusitania.
A new element in the discussion of
the possible policy of the United
states was thrown into the situation
today. IT is believed in some quarters
that Germany is aiming TO compel the
United States to break of diplomatic
relations with her, SO as TO cut off
American aid TO Belgium and all OBJ
servations by a powerful neutral of
the way she treats her prisoners and
1t is believed that Germany does
not care to have any of her internal
or domestic policies under surveil-
lance by officials OF the American en-
bassy in Berlin Some circles believe
that Germany IS already impatient
over the protection extended TO Tor
eigners within her boundaries by Am
bassadOr Gerard.
speech j. Personal Attitude.
Pres't Wilson today made it clear
that his policy on the Lusitania
tragedy is not yet formed and that
his speech i'm Philadelphia last night
is not TO be construed as indicating
what that policy Will be.
The president told callers today
that he would announce his policy as
soon as he was certain he had all the
elements in mind. He declared the
sentiments he expressed in his ad-
dress last night constituted his per-
sonal attitude, but was not intended
as touching upon a national policy
lie added he was thinking entirely Of
the people he was addressing
The president at the present time
had nothing to add to what he said
ON sunday and ne refused 60 say
whether the United States had COM
municated with the German govern
ment regarding the tOrpedoing Of the
Lusitania.
Sen. Lafollette of Wisconsin as
sured Pres't Wilson today of his sup
port in whatever action he may take
regarding the Lus'tania disaster.
Il am for peace" ne said. I do
not believe the situation calls for
strong or drastic action of any sort.
L would not be i'm favor of SeVering
diplomatic relations with Germany"
Peace with honor. was the slogan
which Sen. Stone of Missouri, chair
man of the senate committee on for
cign relations carried from the white
house today after a conference with
the president He declared that he
did not think an extra session was
necessary.
Wilson i Responsible
.'The responsibility is the presi-
dents" he declared. we must all
wait his decision. He cannot shift
his responsibility to any one else. He
must stand before the country and
before the world answerable for what
he does now
Count Won BerHstorff the German
ambassador TO tie United states, to-
,iay delivered 10 Sec'y OF State Bryan
the note from the German govern
meEt made public i'm Berlin. express
ing the regret of that government at
the loss OF American lives IN the
sinking of the Lusitania.
The ambassador on leaving the OIL
fce of the secretary declined 10 ans
wer any questions regarding his call
ScC'y Bryan who followed the am
b0ssador into the hallway. said:
Tie ambassador has just handed
80 me the note published in the
morning papers. which ] have here.
n Committed Co Peace.
The president disclosed at least one
cardinal feature of his policy in his
speech at Philadelphia I'm which he
practically committed himself to
peace. Washington takes this 10 mean
that the president does not think
there IS anything IN the present crisis
war. but that he is fully aware of
the demand of the country that Wig
orous action De taken.
Administration officials today are
wondering whether the presidents
address made a favorable impression
upon the nation. 1r sounded a lofty
note of altruism which many officials
believe was intended to soften the
rising tide OF anger in the United
States against the loss of American
lives on the Lusitania.
The consensus of opinion in Wash
ngt0n today is that Prest Wilson
Wiu make another effort 10 obtain
from Germany promise that there
VIII be no repetition Of the torpedo
lng oI "a passenger ship when Amer
icau lFes are at stake. Failing this.
me next step probably VIII be the
severance ol aN diplomatic relations
nctn cen Germany and the United
STATES The issue of peace or war
fill then uc placed s4uareiy before
fjcrmany.