The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-07-12
AMERICAN NOTE
 WILL. BE FIRM.
 OFFICIALS SAY President and Secretary Lansing May Prepare In
 dependent Replies. VoN BERNSTORFF AND LA NSING WILL CONF FIR Next American Note May Determine Status of Dip
 1oanatic Relations.

Washington, JuIy 12-IHhe Situa- taon between Germany and tho United Stz51es has taken on such serious and critical character that the policy of the American government will re- quire lengthy and deliberate consider a4ion. tzaat 1t may have the hxnness which the circumstances require
 This was theA statement made in high official quarters Secretary Lansing, after taking several days to anaxnine-the German reply. may not go to Cornish. N. H., after all, to con- far with Pzesident Walson-
 The original plan, 1t was exp plained, was for the President and MT. Lans- ang to confer. and then have the sec retary of state direct a note to be s1bnateted to the cabinet on the Prest- denfs return to Washington. Others believe that the President and MT. Lanladng. working indepeEslntIY. Will thedr ideas have matnFed. 4 differ en1 announce1nent ds expected IaJber on whether MT. Lansing will go to Cor nisza.
 Count von Bernstorn. the German ambassador, has asked Secretary Lansing if he wishes boSsee him and the secretary is understood to have replied that he does after he has care fully examined the situation. The ambassador Is seeking 1nformation on the attitude of the American govern ment toward the reply. When MT. Lansing has consulted President VII son. it is not unlikely that some in. tinatton will be made to the German ambassador as to the seriousness .wibh which the American government re- gards the crisis.
 Lansing Begins Draft.
 Secretary Lansing has begun work on <Nf he 1U f1 nv but has not given anyone the slightest tnk1ing of his views Such >aBtinaa- tion, however, as have been IreceiWed from the White House as well as the state department point to the framing of a. policy which will express even views of the United States and the be- lief Is growing that the next note may include some idea of the intentions of the American government if its de- naards are not met.
 The general comment in executive quarters today was that the next American note would define the posi- clearly so t1rat Ger1nanys probable 4t- tltude will definitely determine wheth- er diplomatic relations were to be con tinued.
 That there is to be no surrender of American rights in the new note is practically certain according to the view taken by officials thus far and it is also assured that the German pro- posals for the Immunity of American passenger ships not carrying contra band will be rejected. Just what steps will be taken by the United States as a result of Gernany's failure to dfsayow the sinking of the LusttaniaL Is most uncertain It is this issue-the loss Of 100 American lives, for which Germany has disclaimed responsibility-that has brought the situation to a. grave and critical point.
 Won Bernstorn to Confer.
 Count Won Bernstorr, the German ambassador here, will caAl on Secre- tary Lansing in a day or two to learn informally the attitude of the Limited States toward the GerTnan reply. It Is understood he has asked for an en- gagernent to discuss the situation and is to be received by the secretary just as soon as the latter has examined the note carefully and made up his mind vvh8t policy should be pursped. So far as known, the German am bassador will make his call with hout specific instructions from his govern ment, merely following the custom of diplomats when notes have been ex- changed, to learn the attitude of the recipient nation and what may be ex- pected as to the next step in the cor respondence. That there are to be no informal negotiations, however, on the subject has been made plain and the ambassadors call very probably will partalke more of the nature of a call for information bhan of discussion The ambassador is reported to be in thorough accord with his government isfactory and as lending itself to fur ther negotiations