Evening star., 1915-05-29
State Department Learns
Ambassador Gerard Has Not
Received German Reply

Ambassador Gerard reported today
that while the German reply to the
American note had not yet been de-
lfvered ITO him he knew that 1t con-
tanned request for an agreement on
the facts in the Lusitania case.
Ambassador Gerard has been sending
dispatches regularly concerning the
probable contents of the German note.
but these have been guarded with the
greatest secrecy, inasmuch as the Ger
man government itself was said not to
have finally decided on the details OF
its reply, and officials did not desire
to complicate the situation by any per-
sonal conjectures as to what the note
would contain before the iuii TEX
was available.
That the German government. how
ever, had decided to ask for an agree
ment on the facts in the Lusitania
ase-whether she was an auxiliary
cruiser on the British naxal i'st 81 anu anu
carried cargo of ammunition OF war
and explosives, and whether she was
armed with guns. mounted or dls-
mounted-was indicated in some OF the
ambassadors dispatches in line with
press reports from the German capital
Officials were unwilling to make any
comment on the reception OF SUCH a. pro-
posal, but in well informed quarters. now
ever it is believed the German govern
ment's statement OF IT'S understanding OF
the facts will he met promptly with a
statement of the American government
information, and counter proposal that
while the discussion is In progress there
shall be an abatement OF attacks on
American vessels or lives.
It was expected here tnat the German
note might be delivered any hour to-
day to Ambassador Gerard. The frst
official dispatches In from Europe gave
no intimation of the situation. and ofn-
cials were of the opinion that should
the document be delivered to the Amer
lean embassy today, 1t might not reacn
WASHINGTON much before Monday. They
had no official intimation OF It's con-
tents.
The passing OF three weeks. however.
since the Lustania was torpedoed has
not diminished the tension In high ofh-
cial quarters. where the CONVICTION pre-
walls that President Wilson feels Germany
should make an early disavowal of any
intention that American lives should be
lost.
that a German submarine torpedoed the
American steamer Gulfligfft without
warning Is taken to confirm the con-
clusion of the Washington government
reached before the Lusitania note was
sent.
submarine commander had said close in
yestigation Of the neutral or belligerent
character Of the Gulfight was dangerous
because she was in the company OF two
British patrol boats was pointed out by
officials as proof Of their contention that
German submarine commanders, without
visit and search, or, at least, warning.
mat subject all American vessels to the
same risks as belligerent craft.
Unofficial information received here
said the German reply would be given
to the German press tomorrow for pub
lication. It probably will be given out
here for publication at the same time.
UnofIicial advices said the reply
would embody proposal to the United
states to defer definite consideration
OF Germany's submarine policy and the
American demands until tho two gov
ernments have had an opportunity to
determine just what sort of vessel was
sunk-whether the Lusitanaa was .
.(Continus1 o. 0sssAA Ra0al