New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-12

circles friendly 10 Germany that the
Rerlin Foreign Office hopes for pro-
lonred discussion of the demands made
nv the President In these circles II
il believed that should Germany SINK
another passenger ship with the loss OF
moro American lives a break IN the
relations between the two countries
would be inevitable. 1t is UNDERSTOOD,
however. that nothing Of tins KIND VIII
hammer. for II is said in well informed
circles that German submarine com
manders have received instructions 10
confne their activities 10 cargo ShlPS
orlv and under no circumstances SINK
another passenger vessel IL is salu
here that these instructions nave oeeh
in force since the sinking OF the LuSl-
tania. German sympathizers say yer
many does not want war win 'h H,gi
United States, and for this reason VIII
he extremely careful as TO what shlpS
her submarines attack.
Germany Makes No Promises.
Germany. however, has made no
promises TO the United States that pas
Sencer ships will not be attacked. On
the other hand, It has sought 10 aDI,uEe
Tie rights of American citizens on law
a
In some quarters II was asserted TO-
day that the German answer was more
or less Of bluff which should promptly
he called by President wilson
The chief obstacle, 1t appears, TO per-
hitting virtually a status quo 20 con-
tinuc while further notes are eN-
changed is the treatment which Ger
many has given TO the Lusltanla case
The United States has asked Tor as,
avowal Of intent to kill Americans and
for reparation, although the latter mas
been subordinated TO the greater con
sideration Of whether Germany legally
justified the action of the submarine
commander or would admit lablhty.
No direct answer on the questions OF
law involved was given in the note,
and the quick sinking Of the vessel was
attributed 10 peculiar circumstances,
such as the presence of high explosives.
High officials regard this as an evasion,
rointinc out that even II there were
Explosives on the ship, which is not ad-
mitted. they never would have been
ignited but for the German torpedo.
Country Unanimous for Rejection.
One thing President Wilson is as
sUred OF to-day is that sentiment
throughout the country Is unanimous
in favor Of prompt and firm rejec-
ton of the proposals in the German
note There can be no mistak'ng TINS
opinion. Reports received here from
every part of the country indicate that
the people are solidly behind the Pres
ident and expect Of him action OF the
most vigorous character.
Il is not believed that his reply
should take the form of an ultimatum,
but the demand seems general that he
state the position of the United States
regarding the rights of its citizens
once and for all 10 the German gov
eminent and point out that any break
in the relations between the two gov
ernments will be up to the Kaiser.
That German diplomacy has again
Numbered i'm its efforts 20 divide pub
lie opinion in this country is believed
on ali sides. here is no doubt here
that the German diplomats were under
the impression that the propaganda
started by ex-Secretary Bryan had
made big progress and that an appeal
10 this element would divide public
opinion and make il exceedingly en-
barrassing for President Wilson to
handle the situation.
There is little doubt that infOrma-
ton to this effect was conveyed TO
the German Foreign Ofice by DR..
Meyer Gerhard. Count Won Bernstorf' s
personal envoy, and DR.. Dernburg. The
denunciation Of the German answer by
practically every American newspaper
in the country has served TO dissipate
this idea Instead Of dividing public
opinion the German government has
solicited IL. 1t is this solidifed public
opinion that President Wilson has back
Of him, and no one here doubts that
he will act i'm accord with IT,