South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-09
According to Outline Sent to
Ambassador Gerard, Kaiser
Will Not Admit Liability For
Sinking of LuSitania.
ALSO WOULD LIKE TO
KNOW CARGO'S NATURE
Authorities Hold That to Tell
This and Name of English
Ships Would be an UnneutraI
Act.

BERLIN. July 9.-German's reply
TO the second American note protest
ing against Germany's methods in
carrying out the submarine warfare in
the waters around the British Isles.
was sent to Washington today by
James w. Gerard. the American am
bassador to Germany. The reply was
delivered to Mr. Gerard by an attache
OF the foreign office last night.
WASHINGTON. July 9.-Adminis-
tration officials today waited for the
text of the kaiser's rejoinder TO Pres t
Wilson's last representations ON Ger
man submarine warfare and freedom
Of the seas AdviCes from Berlin were
that the German communication was
q bout TO be sent. and pending its ar
rival those ia authority reserved fur
ther comment. BuC ii was under
stood that the decision of Prest Will
son not To discuss the Berlin govern
ment views until after the official text
had been received caused the kaiser
TO determine 20 send the note aS ten
tatively prepared Go Washington, and
that il Will be practically in the same
form as the outline which was given
conhdentiaily 10 Ambassador Gerard
ecutive.
This outline as cablod here by the
American representative in Berlin, 1t
is known, is not at all satisfactory TO
the washington authorities. The chief
objection found to fl. according to
nigh official, is that il fails TO admit
liability for the sinking OF the Lusi-
tania. when more than 100 Americans
went TO their death 1t is understood
he vie an
of the controversy is that the Lusitan-
ia was torpedoed in the belief that the
giant liner would not sink as quickly
as she did and there would be ample
time for all ON board To escape or To
get the wounded ship to shore.
An Unneutral Act.
Germany's proposals that the United
States inform the Berlin admiralty as
to the nature of the cargo and OF Eng
lish ships sailing from American ports.
it Is stated. cannot be accepted for
the reason that the giving Of such in
formation would constitute an un-
neutral act.
What this government wants. in the
view OF officials close to the admins
tration is that Germany recognize the
principle as set forth by this govern
ment, OF visit and search of a mer-
chant ship that is unarmed. and does
not resist capture: also of removing
passengers and crew TO places of
safety before the ship is sent To the
bottom OF the sea.
The general understanding of the
altitude of Pres't Wilson and his ad-
Nisers is that until this principle is ac-
Cepted by Germany or some agree
ment is reached ON the broad subject
Of freedom OF the seas. this govern
ment cannot consider suggestions for
temporary arrangements.
Concerning the German proposal
that vessels he marked" as having
non-conrahand cargoes and the dates
or their sailing be furnished the Ger
man naval authorities. the opinion is
held her that such ARRANGEMENTS
should be made between the belliger-
ents II is stated that the administra-
ti0n would be willing TO assist the
Varring nations 20 make such agree
ments. which would insure safe
passage OF Americans on board bel
ligerent ships. as they would apply
only TO a fixed period and would en-
tail no surrender OF future rights OF
the parties TO the agreements.
Situation Again Critical
It is pointed out by the experts in
International law that il would be an
uuneutral act 10 have American Of
fcials and German consuls certify TO
vessels carrying Americans into the
war zone. The American govern
ment is guarding closely against such
acts and 10 was in line with this policy
that the navy department Yesterday
took possession OF the Sayville wire
less station from which il was al
Ieeed unneutral messages were being
sent.
The situation. therefore. as whole.
was regarded by officials 60 have
again reached the critical stage al
though there still prevailed the be
lief iu hiSh administration circles
That it was not hopeless and that an
adjustment OF the differences WITT
the kaisers government ultimately
would he reached