New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-21
Reply Not UItimatum,
but Firm and to
the Point.
PUTS ISSUE UP
TO THE KAISER
Again Asks ReparatiOn
and DiSaVOWal for Lusi-
tania Sinking.
TO BE SENT AT ONCE
Cabinet Member Intimates An.
sWer Will Be pheasant Sur
prise" to Nation.
LFrom The Tribune Bureau J

[From The Tribune Bureaul
Washington, July 20.-President
Wilson's reply to the recent German
note will be on its way to Berlin
before the end of this week. 1t was
approved by the Cabinet to-day.
The note will not he an ultmatum,
but a plain statement of what the
United States regards as the rights
of its citizens on the high seas. It's
language will be conservative and
friendly, though firm and to the
point. 1t will put the responsibility
for any break in relations between
this country and Germany squarely
up to the Kaiser's government.
Both President Wilson and Secre-
tary Lansing feel sure that the note
will satisfy public opinion. They
believe that the great majority of
the American people do not want
war and that if it comes it will be
OF Germany's own making.
This was indicated this afternoon
following twO-hoUr discussion by
President Wilson and the Cabinet.
AS explained by one member, the
President stands firmly by his pre-
vious communications.
The note is practically in final
form, except for minor alterations.
Ii reaffirms the position asserted in
tie two previous notes on the Lusi-
tania. Germany's attention is called
to the fact that no direct answer
has been received to the three prin-
cipal contentious of this government.
Again the imperial government is
asked to disavow the Lusitania af-
fair, to make reparation for the
American lives and to guarantee
American rights on the high seas in
accordance with international law.
Orduna Attack Not Mentioned.
It is intimated by State Department
officials that the Orduna case will not
be touched upon. but will be left for
separate negotiation If the charges Of
unwarranted attack are substantiated.
The State Department is not yet con
WINGED of the completeness Of the
Orduna case against Germany.
1t was hinted to-day that the note
would not be as drastic as had been
expected. The feeling has grown that
the American people are opposed to
break in diplomatic relations, and that
the President and Secretary of State
have sought to reflect this sentiment.
This does not mean, however, that the
United States will recede in any re-
spect from its demand.
The language used is ample evidence
that the United tSates desires peace
full termination of the negotiations. At
the same time insistence on the recog-
milton of the principles laid down in
previous notes is firm and uncompro-
missing. Officials declared that an ulti-
matum would be unwarranted as long
as Germany refrained from further
violations Of American rights.
One prominent Cabinet member in
timated that the note would be
pheasant surprise" TO the American
public. This is interpreted TO mean
that it will at once firmly uphold
American rights and give Germany an
opportunity 10 recognize them without
renouncing her submarine campaign
In its entirety thing she would be
very unlikely TO do, whatever the con
sequences
Malone to Make Inquiry.
The attack on the Orduna, il sub
Stantiated, will be the basis OF sepa-
rate note TO Germany Officials say
that, while the case might be consid-
cred as strengthening this govern
ment's attitude in the present negoti-
atoms, it adds nothing 70 arguments
already urged against Germany's naval
warfare
The State Department requested the
an inquiry into the Orduna affair.
Dudley Field Malone, Collector Of the
Port of New York, has been instructed
to question officers and crew Of the
Cunard liner to discover whether the
steamer was warned 20 stop and
whether or not torpedo was launched
at her, as declared unoficially by wit
nesses.
At the Treasury Department il was
stated that the Secret Service would
not be used for the investigation and
that probably the only action would be
to get the stories Of the officers and
members of the crew, so that this gov
ernment would have before il some
thing approaching an official account
/ OF the incident.
The State Department had its irst
direct information concerning the al.
! tack on the Orduna in letter from
W. .. Thompson. counsel for the In