The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1915-07-23
PRESIDENT WILL NOW TAKE UP
TASK OF DECIDING FUTURE
COURSE OF GOVERNMENT.
SITUATION A DELICATE ONE
Several Days viii Be Required by
President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing in Studying Note Be-
fore Giving Answer.

Ii
doubtful, largely in the sense thai
the means Of expressing the ideas and
purposes Of the United States have
not yet been decided. 1t was authors
tatively indicated that obviously there
could be no surrender of rights, and
the acceptance of the German pro.
posal to guarantee immunity to Amer
lean ships under arrangements to be
agreed upon by the naval authorities
OF the two countries concerning the
marking of the neutral ships.
Since the Lusitania was sunk on
May Z there have been no violation
OF the principles for which the Unit
ed States has contended unless the
mishap to the Nebraskan can be in.
cluded, and in that case the Wash
ington government has not finally
reached conclusion as to whether
a. mine or torpedo caused the explo.
sion. In the view Of many officials,
! should German submarine comman-
ders continue in practice to respect
American rights, discussion could con-
tlnue There were limitations, how.
ever, that in the next communication
the United States most likely would
impress upon the German government
the serious consequences which will
ensue from any further violation of
American rights as proclaimed in the
notes already sent
The chief obstacle, it appears. how
ere, to permitting virtually a status
quo to continue, while further notes
are exchanged, is the treatment which
Germany has given to the Lusitania |
case. The United States has asked for
dlsaVoWal of intent to kill Americans
and for PREPARATION, although the lat.
ter has been subordinated to the great,
er consideration of whether Germany
legally justified the action of the sub
marine commander or would admit
liability. No direct answer on the
questions of law involved were given
In the last note, and the quick sinking
OF the vessel was attributed to me.
culiar circumstances" such as the
presence of high explosives. High of.
flc1als regard this as an evasion, point.
ing out that even if there were ex.
plosives on the vessel, which is not adj.
mltted, they never would have been
ignlted but for the German torpedo
The following is a text of the Unit.
ed States demands:
That Germany acknowledge respon.
Sibility of the sinking of the Lusi.
fania and disavow the act of her sub.
marine commander.
mat Germany offer to make re.
paration for injuries which are with.
out measure"
That Germany take immediate
steps to prevent the recurrence "of [
anything so obviously subversiye to
o the principles of warfare"
Recognition and acknowledgment
~ Germany of the rights of Ameri.
ANS to travel on merchant vessels of
'elligerent nationality.
Assurances that the lives of Ameri,
ans would be safeguarded. whether
N American ships or vessels of bel.
lgerent nationality.
Observance of the rules of interna. -
lonal law regarding the visit and 7
earch" OF suspected merchantmen,
Dlscontinuance of Germany's sub I
1arlne warfare against American j
essels.
The following is the text Of the n
erman reply to the United States I
ote: L
That she has no intention of attack. g
lg neutral vessels which have not d,
cen guilty of any hostile act"
That the responsibility of the sink. !;
g OF the Lusitania rests on the BRIT. ST
n government and the Cunard com. H
my. Consequently she does NOT al
'omise reparation. 81
mat she will not place in jeopardy
q lives of American citizens on mem
al vessels.
That she does not recognize tba :
sht OF Americans to travel on sbins -
frying an enemy flag and the nres. Is
&c OF Americans shall not protect
ssels OF belligerent nationality !
That safe passage will be given u
nerican passenger steamers when 7
'rnany is notified "a reasonable ]
ne In advance of their movements" "
d Inc vessels made recognizable nv r
eciai markings. Germany expects
o. that the United States will sec U
l. that they have no contraband I
board I
70 provide safe accommodations for
lerlcans who desire to travel in r.
rope, the United States should in Al
Il IN passenger service "a reason. -
g number" of neutral steamers I'm. .
the American flag. SIS
this can not be done, GERMANY rs