The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-10

r11nited Press Leased Wire service.]
WASHINGTON, May 10.-Presldent
Wilson was expected to submit Ten
tatiye program to his cabinet Tues
dav in connection with the Lus1tanla
incident.
It was thought it would be only ten
tatiye because full reports of the al
fair were not looked for so soon. Inc
German foreign office must be heard
from and 40 must Ambassador Page
at London, Consul Frost at Queens
town and perhaps other diplomatic Of
ficials who have obtained statements
from the disasters American surviv-
ors. It was thought the better part
OF another week would be occupied IN
getting all this Information In hand.
Officials pointed out that there must
be not only gathering, but weigh
ing Of evidence.
The original German admission that
the Lusitania was torpedoed by one
| Of the kaisers submarines took 1t Tor
granted that the ship was armed. II
this was the case, It was agreed that
Germany would have an excellent DE-
tense. Attention was called to the
fact, however, that this assumptlon
not only was contradicted by the Bit
ed the truthfulness Of Port Collector
Dudley Field Malone Of New York.
That Germany would claim the right
to assume the vessel carried guns,
whether or not it actually had them,
on the ground that the British admir-
atty proposed long ago to arm Brit
ish merchant vessels, was also taken
for granted. AS an Offset against this,
experts said, such an assumption
would imply questioning Of the
honesty OF American policy not to let
armed belligerent ships leave its
ports.
Altogether, It was deemed certain
that several important questions OF
fact would have to be settled before
an accounting could be called for by
the United States from the German
government.
One issue regarded as Of the highest
Importance was expected to be dis
posed of by the administrations re-
quest on Berlin for details and an ex-
phantom Of the attack on the Lusf-
tania.
VIII Germany's attitude be one OF
regret that American lives were lost
as result Of the incident. or will the
kaiser's tone be such as to imply In
difference or to verge on hostility to-
ward the United States?
On this point officials could venture
no guesses: they said the German
communication alone could answer
the question.
AS to his contemplated course. the
president had made no statement, so
far as known, even to his closest ad
visors. His attitude could only be
surmised.
The commonest prediction was that
the administration would ask Germany
for indemnity and assurances that
such incidents as that of the Lust-
tania. involving American lives and
property. will not be repeated.
The statement attributed to German
newspapers to tho effect that money
would satisfy the United States" while
recognized as approaching the con-
temptuous In tone, was generally in
terpretcd as suggesting an inclination
on the fatherland's part to meet
America half way on the financial
proposition, though of course, the fact
was taken into account that such
utterances were unofficial
Assurances against a repetition OF
incidents like last Fridays, were not
regarded as so likely to be easily
forthcoming. It was pointed out, also
that if given and disregarded. they
would precipitate an extremely criti-
cal situation.
The suggestion that an extra SEES
sion of congress might be called to
provide means-presumably United
States ships for the transportation OF
Americans and their goods without
exposing them to the dangers inciden-
tai to travel on belligerent vessels.
was figured as contemplating acuuias-
cnnce in the German war methods
against the allies craft. There was
no Indication. however. that the pres
ident did plan an extra session