Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-10
AMERICAN POLICY
DECIDED FINALLY
Going of Bryan Serves Notice to
World that President and Cab
met Stand Firm.
Won BERNsTORFF SEES LANSING

WASHINGTON, June s.-The
policy of the United States toward
Germany-an insistance on the OBJ
servance Of neutral rights and the
safeguarding Of the lives OF Ameri-
cans on the high seas-was de-
termined finally today at cabinet
session.
Secretary Bryan's resignation had
been submitted and accepted when
the meeting convened and he took
little part in the discussion. The
note which is to be sent to Germany
tomorrow was read over for the last
time to the cabinet by President Will
son. Suggestions of some minor
changes were noted by the president.
Means u. ;. In Firm.
The resignation Of Mr.. Dryan. who ad-
vocated q course that under no cir
cumstances would involve the United
States in war. spread the impression that
the president and his cabinet had de-
cided firmly that the rights of the United
States must be upheld in any eventuality
| that may arise.
J While no inkiing as to the contents Of
the note was given, II is understood that
| an unfavorable reply will mean the
severance Of diplomatic relations with
Germany, and that attacks on Americans
thereafter might lead to even graver
complications.
The effect on the general situation OF
Secretary Bryan's withdrawal from the
cabinet was the subject of general com
ment everywhere. Foreign diplomatists
interpreted II as significant Of a forceful
course on the part of the United States.
They were busy with their code books
and cabiegrams tonight advising their
respective governments Of the cabinet
change and its significance.
In Austro-German quarters. where there
has been some confidence that Secretary
Bryan's influence for peace would make
impossible q rupture between the United
States and Germany the resignation Of
the secretary caused much uneasiness.
In other official and diplomatic quar-
tiers, the vew was held that by accepting
the resignation of Mr. Bryan. the presi-
dent has demonstrated TO Germany his
earnest intention OF securing PREPARATION
for the loss OF American lives on th'
Lusitania and a guarantee against othei
violations OF American rights.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, called on Counsellor LANSING
early in the day to inform him that al
though the embassy quarters had beef
| removed to Cedarhurst. l.. l., he woul'
| remain here Indefinitely to await a copy o
| the American note. Later In the day Mr.
Lansing announced that tho German en-
bassy had transmitted two more afftdn-
Wits OF persons who claimed to have over
heard people say there were guns on the
Lusitania.
The report Of this investigation came
to hand today ard is believed to hav
been one of the things which delayed tn
American note. The president emphasized
10 callers early today that there had beel
no intentional or unnecessary delay IL
preparing the document. He said man.
suggestions had been made by Mr.. Sryai
and others but that the general charaote
OF the note had not been modified. Thi
was interpreted later as meaning that tn
cabinet situation had been disposed o.
last week and that the delay Huhsequen
thereto was really due to details In tn,
careful preparation of the note.