New-York tribune., 1915-06-03
Tells President His
Government Did Not
Know Facts.
LEARNS EXACT
DEMANDS OF Il. s.
Diplomats Not Sure His
Advice VIII Induce
New Attitude.
WILSON STANDS FIRM
State Department Transmits the
BernstOrff Report. to Make
Sure 1t Gets Through.

from The Tribune Bureau
Washington, June 2.-An appeal
by Count Won BernstorT, the German
Ambassador. prepared on his own
initiative after an interview with
President Wilson, in which he
learned just what is necessary 70
avert break Of diplomatic relations
with this country, is now on its way
to Berlin. 1t is being sent through
American diplomatic channels. TO in
sure that it will be delivered
promptly and without garbling.
The German Ambassador talked
with President Wilson for just
twenty minutes this morning, and
heard directly, and shorn Of diplo-
matte phraseology, exactly what
America demands of Germany. He
sat with the President on a sofa in
the Blue Room at the White House,
and the President explained and
amplified the demands which he had
been in the act of embodying in a
note to Germany when the Ambassa-
dor called.
No announcements were made
after the conference, which had been
arranged at the Ambassadors re.
quest, but it was stated authorita-
lively that there would be no charge
in the plan of the President and his
Cabinet TO send in response 10 the
German reply to the last American
note an inquiry TO ascertain defin-
itely whether the imperial govern
ment will abide by international law
or follow its own rules Of maritime
warfare. The note, which is being
written by President Wilson, will be
des atched before the end of the
week.
Frank Exchange OF Views.
In the twenty minutes conversation
the President Of the United States and
the personal representative of En-
peror William exchanged views on tho
delicate situation which has arisen in
the relations between the two eoun-
tries. Their meeting was cordial, their
conversation friendly, and both dis
cussed fundamentals and not details.
Count Won Bernstorf told friends
that the interview had been satisfac-
tory and that the President had spoken
clearly and frankly. The ambassador
felt very hopeful when he returned 10
his embassy. lie believed the report
which he prepared 70: trar smssion 10
Berlin void enlighten the German
Foreign Once on the true state OF the
American governments opinion and
pave the way TO a better understanding.
The American demands. as stated by
the President, are simple: Germany
must conform 20 the laws Of humanity
and international aw, must conduct
its warfare according 70 the recognized
rules. must provide for the safety OF
all neutrals and non-com5atants, and
must give the United States assurance
of its intention to do just q ese things.
The question cirnot be complicated by
any technicalities Jr ny any discussion
Of the attitude or actions OF aay other
belligerent. Nor will the United States
AT this time discuss facts concerning
the Lusitania which il W the duty OF
the commander Of the German subma-
rine TO establish before he attackel the
liner. and which, even II established,
would furn.s' no excuse for the de-
struction of a single life on board the
ship.
In German Hands To-day.
As result Of this conference and
Of the American government undertake
ing 20 transmit the ambassadors report
on il to Berlin. Germany will know to-
morrow how 10 prevent any break IN
the friendship Of the two nations. and
will also know that the responsibility
for break will rest entirely with the
kaiser's dlplomat3. Count Won Bern
storfF believes that his report will have
an important effect that II his gov
ernment had known the feeling which
really exists in :hls country the tone
Of It's reply 10 the LusItania note would
have been very different.
II is known thaI the ambassador was
greatly disappointed az the tone OF tina,
reply. For some time he had been con
sidering asking for talk with the
President. but il was only after the
receipt Of the German note that ne
finally consulted Mr.. Bryan and then
made his request e. the President.
The count saw President wilson en-
,irely on his own initiative. not under
instructions from his home govern.
ment.. He realized the tenseness or
the situation, and wanted TO make one
fnal effort to prevent any rupture be-
tween the countries.
The Presidents talk vi Count Yon