The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-01
BERNST0REf WILL
TALK WITH PRESIDENT
He Is Seeking Personal Interview
Hoping to Modify Views Of
Wilson

Washington. d. c.. May s1.---Prompt
action by this government and strict
adherence to the letter and spirit OF
President wilson's last note to Ger
many were predicted in oflcial quar-
tiers here today.
Not single voice has been raised
in administration circles to contend
that the German reply to the Presi-
dents note was in any sense salts
+ factory. II was made clear that the
President andv his advisers regard IL
as wholly unacceptable and may be
counted upon so to inform Germany.
While the President and the cabinet
are expected to agree upon the next
step TO be taken in reference to Ger
many at the cabinet meeting tomor-
row. ii is practically certain that no
action will be taken until after We'd
nesday. when Count Won Bernstorff,
the German ambassador, has arranged
to discuss the situation with the Pres
ident This announcement of an in
terview between the President and the
German am bassador was the most i'm
portant news development of the day.
The amba ssador indicated to Secre-
tary Bryan that no would like to
have an opportunity to talk over the
iatter's earliest convenience. and an
appointment was accordingly made
for noon on Wednesday.
II Is understood that the ambassador
is not acting on any specific instruc-
tions and has no new proposals TO
make of a character affecting directly
the vital issues between the German
and United States governments.
Presidents Mind Made Up.
The President made no effort today
to learn the views of his advisers on
the German note. The impression pre-
vailed in official quarters that the
President had clearly in his own mind
tho kind of response which the German
note merits. and that the end of the
Cabinet meeting tomorrow afternoon
will find the administrators course
definitely decided upon. 1t Is predicted
by many that rejection of Germans
temporizing suggestions and a reitera-
ton of President Wilson's demands
will make up the note TO be sent In
rturn.
The United States reply will. of
course, be expressed in the most polite
language and most friendly tone.
Such reflections of public opinion as
reached the White House today seemed
TO indicate that such a response to
Germany will be supported by this
country. A good many kilograms were
received at the White House today.
and most Of them urged the President
to stand by the position he took in his
previous note TO Germany The Presi
dents statement, made in his speech at
Arlington Cemetery this afternoon. that
II is the duty of the Government to
-
United States, was regarded as indicat-
ing his appreciation of the rights of
public opinion and as indicating that
he viii withhold action until he has
gagged public sentiment.
To Talk Ii Over.
The am bassador's visit To Mr.. Bryan
at his home this morning and his re-
quest for an interview with the Presi-
dent are regarded as the forerunnors
! OF an attempt by him to bring the
| President TO look at the situation in
somewhat different light.
! In the first place. 1t will be urged
! that the German. communication
| ought not TO be regarded as Ger
many's final reply; that it contains
| the statement that 1t Is not a Anal
| reply but only a communication de-
| signed to bring the governments into
| agreement As TO certain facts. 1t will
/ also be presented on behalf of Ger
many that President Wilson failed
to make himself clear as to just what
! he Is demanding. If he Is demanding
only that unarmed passenger ships
! shall not be torpedoed. it is asserted
I that is one thing while, Ii he really
! Is demanding that Germany shall
J abandon her entire submarine pro-
gram against merchantmen. that Is
something else.
The former. 1t IL eontended. does
/ not present a hopeless problem, while
] the latter is much more serious.
The Presidents note to Germany
I merely demands that the German
government take immediate steps 10
I prevent the recurrence of anything SC
! obviously subversive OF the prin ,iplas
OF Warfafe. . Iffe" Inference that this
I included a demand for the abandon
/ ment of Germany's entire submarine
4 campaign against merchantmen was
based on previous statement in the
note. that experience has shown Thai
! submarines cannot be used against
/ merchantmen without an inevitable
1 violation of many sacred principles
| of justice and humanity"