New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-26
Confers with Cabinet on
Terms of Shipping
Protest.
STILL OPTIMISTIC
OF GERMAN REPLY
But Officials Are Chagrined al
SPANS Acting in
Italy.
rFron m, rrihnn. bureau J

Washington, May % President VIII
son told the members Of his Cabinet
to-day that he believed the German re-
ply to the recent American note would
be favorable So confirmed WAS the
President in this belief that 1t IS
understood he discussed with his ofh-
cial advisers the sending Of note to
Great Britain protesting against the
detention Of American cargoes as soon
as the German reply was received.
Several messages from Ambassador
Gerard bearing on the German reply
we're also discussed at the Cabinet
meeting, but in none OF them was there
a direct animation as 10 the contents
Of the German answer. The President
believed the reply of the Berlin gov
eminent would have arrived by this
time had it not been for the questions
arising out Of ltaly's entering the war
Before the meeting Of the Cabinet
the President, while declining to shed
any light on the shipping situation be.
tween Great Britain and the United
States. referred to 1t as chronic case.
Efforts Of an informal character have
been brought to bear on the British
Foreign Office and the Admiralty TO
bring about an amelioration of these
conditions. Failing in this more i'm
pressive method will be used 10 com
vev TO the British government the OBJ
lection Of the United States to ~
present enforcement Of the Order in
Council.
1t vas said to-day that the terms Of
this protest TO Great Britain had al
ready been discussed. and that II will
state firmly and clearly that Great
Britain's interference with what the
United States believes to be Its rights
under international law, must cease.
President Wilson's optimism over
the German reply was shared by most
Of his official advisers. none OF whom,
however. believed that all the Presl-
dent asked would be conceded ofhand
The note itself, il was believed. would
furnish a basis for further diplomatic
correspondence. which would result IN
an understanding agreeable TO both
Germany and the United States.
Diplomats who are usually well IN
formed as 10 the views OF the Ger
man Foreign Once predicted today
that the question OF armed or unarmed
merchant vessels would have an I'M
portant place in the German answer
Il was suggested that the German re-
ply might go so far as 10 ask me
United States to guarantee that mer-
chant vessels leaving this country
would be unarmed. If this were done,
il was pointed out. Germany might
be willing 10 confne her submarine
attacks TO vessels that are armed. The
Impression also prevails here that Ger
many will protest against the carrying
Of arms and ammunition on passenger
ships. ...
declined TO believe to-day that the ac-
ton Of Germany and Austria in choos-
ing Spain 10 represent their interests
in Italy was a direct slap at the United
States. Many explanations were Of
fered for it. One was that communica-
ton between Spain and Germany is
much easier than between Germany
and the United States. Another rea-
son given was that, of all the neutral
powers Spain is the most friendly TO
Austria. Il was recalled that King
Alfonso's mother was an Austrian arch
duchess and that the ties between the
two countries are exceedingly close.
Il is understood, however, that the
United States fully expected 70 TAKE
charge Of the affairs Of Austria in
italy. and while State Department
officials will not admit it. there IS dis
appointment over the fact that Spain is
chosen.
London, May 25.--The following dis
patch was received to-day by the Ex-
change Telegraph Company from Am
sterdam:
THE German government has asked
America for further delay Of week
in its reply to the note concerning the
sinking of the Lusitanla. In all prob