Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-08
CONTENTS OF NOTE
NOT YET SETTLED
May Require Further Considera-
ton by President and His
Cabinet.
NO UNNECESSARY DELAY
Wilson Anxious That Words Be
So Explicit There Can Be No
misunderstanding.
UNNECESSARY

WASHINGTON, June 7.-President
Wilson let 1t be known to-day that the
note the United States is to send to
Germany with respect to submarine
warfare had been prepared with the
utmost expedition. and had not been
subjected to hours unnecessary
delay since IL was first drafted.
The Presidents desire to have the
document state explicitly the position
OF the United states so that it cannot
possibly be misunderstood abroad or
Invite protracted discussion is clearly
responsible for the fact that the note
has not gone forward.
Legal officers of the government ex-
amined the note to-day and sent IL
back TO the President with some
changes. II may require further con-
sideration by the President and his
cabinet tomorrow. and high officials
did not know tonight just when il
would be cablcd.
Questions Of such serious moment are
involved tha, the President is anxious
that the communication not only hall
meet his own wishes. but he unim-
peachable from the point OF view Of
international law.
While the President has been at work
on the document emphasizing the state
ment CT the Hrst American note that
the l-usitania was unarmed. at the same
time Meyer Gerhard. personal envoy OF
Count Won BerHstorn. the German am
nassaior. has been voyaEing TO Ger
many carrying important messages
from tho German embassy concerning
the American point OF view or sub
marine warfare
GEHTARDS TRIP DECLARED
no HE MERELY COINCIDENT
Gcrhard's ,rip. however, was declared
IN high Official quarters TO have been
merely coincident. and in no way
to have interferred with the progress
OF the note.
When the document is made public.
officials said. II not only would satisfy
American public opinion. but would
place squarcly before Germany the
issue whether the imperial government
intends TO adhere to hitherto accented
principles of international law on mari
time warfare.
The President has been fisplcased
by numerous detailed accounts that
have been published of what the note
would contain when he himself had
not settled finally on its contents He
is anxious that misconceptions Of the
position OF the United states shall not
be cabled abroad. and that the Ame-i-
can people shall suspend Judgment
until they read the text
The general view in German quarters
here is that the recent trend of events
gives hopes OF friendly adjustments
This is based. not alone on the probabi.
course OF the German side of the neeo-
tiations hut also on the American
course. which is regarded as develop
ing along lines wh.rt will permi, OF a
satisfactory conclusion
The most promising formula for a
solution. according TO the German
viewpoint. Is one which would COM
hine an agreement on the status Of
the Lusitania as an armed or unarmed
sain. and also general agreement
guaranteeing immunity from attack
hereafter to all unarmed ships carry
ing passengers
IN POSITION TO ACCEPT
POSITIVE ASSURANCE
AS TO the Lusitania the German posi-
t'O'' '''Hs 'h' iitS bttii tldt SnP was
an armed ship. But when the United
States government states definitely that
its official Information shows the shin
was unarmed, then it is suggested that
the Berlin authorities will be in a posi-
ton to accept this positive assurance
from a friendly government, notwith-
standing any report Germany NAV have
10 the contrary.
The recent Won Jagow note. il is
pointed out. is predicated on the view
that the Lusitania was an armed shin
but did not assert the principle that
unarmed passenger ships could be
SIMILARLY sunk. It is maintained.
therefore. that the principle of i'm
munity to unarmed passenger ships Is
one which could be accepted by Ger
many as consistent with her attitude I'm
TO this time, and would give the larg-
est measure of protection to Americans
in the future. Such an agreement on
the status of the Lusitania and the
principle to govern unarmed passenger
ships. II Is generally admitted, would
pave the way for much wider adjust
ment of the various conflicts which have
arisen over American ships and the
safety OF the seas. and the hope is
expressed that this larger adjustment
might even in turn lead to the supreme
question Of bringing the warning ne,