Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-12
PRESIDENT TO MAKE PLAIN
GOVERNMENTS INTENTION
Another Submarine Attack Similar
to Lusitania Will Bring
Drastic Action.
DIPLOMATIC BREAK LIKELY
Imperial Ministers Seem Unable 70
Understand Real Attitude of
People Here-offers to
Be Rejected.


The situation between Ger
many and the United States has
taken on such a serious and criti-
cal character that the policy of the
American government will re-
quire long and deliberate consid-
Grafton, that it may have the firm
ness which the circumstances re-
quire.
This was the statement made
today in high official quarters.
Secretary Lansing, after taking
several days to examine the Ger
man reply, may not go to Cornish,
N. H., after. all, to confer with
President Wilson. The original
plan, it was explained, was for the
President and Mr.. Lansing to
confer and then have the Secre-
tary of State draft a note to be
submitted to the cabinet on the
Presidents return to Washing
ton. Now the belief is that the
President and Mr.. Lansing, work
ing independently, will prepare
memoranda and confer after their
ideas have matured.
q. S. Policy Emphatic.
definite announcement is expected
later on whether Mr.. Lansing will go
to Cornish.
Such intimations as have been re-
ceived from the White House. as well
as the State Department. point to the
framing Of policy which will express
even more emphatically than before
the views of the United States and the
belief is growing that the next note
may include some idea of the intentions
Of the American government IL its de-
mands are not met
Opinion grew rapidly today that the
President will write just one more re-
joinder to Germany's second reply, and
that he will say to the German gov
having failed to comprehend the senti-
ment of this country 1t would be neces-
sary for the United States to take the
steps it had indicated previously at the
first repetition of submarine horror
involving American lives and break of
all relations with Germany, at the same
time taking steps to give all the protec-
tion possible to American lives and
commerce in the future.
One Course Omen.
Nowhere today could anybody see
any other course for the President to
pursue The German reply. according to
the viewpoint today, left little open
for further negotiation. Should the
President, in excessive patience and in
foreetfulness of the firm notifications
heretofore to Germany, answer in
manner to invite further opportunity
for a settlement, he would invite severe
criticism from many quarters through
out the country and endanger the solid
ity of support he has had from the peo-
Pile of the country, it was predicted.
On the contrary, should he, with calm
deliberation and without haste, notify
Germany that 1t would be impossible
to continue correspondence on the sub
ject. in the face of the German atti-
tude, and that the United States would
await future events with a steady pur-
nose to maintain her rights at all haz-
ards sentiment would be as solidly
back of him as in the past it was said
Decisive Action Necessary.
On nearly all sides it was declared
that the time has come for decisive ac-
ton on the part of the United States.
NOT necessarily of war. but of careful
preparation to meet Germany's future
disregard of the rights the President
nf
the nation.
Unless Germany realizes that the
President absolutely means business
and that the people are with him his
attempts will have been in vain and
his own dignity will have been belit-
tied in the opinion of officials today.
The general comment in executive
quarters today was that the next
American note would define the posi-
tion of the United States even more
= stt;tude would definitely determine
whether diplomatic relations were to
be continued.
Secretary Lansing Drafting Note.
Work was begun today by Secretary
Lansing on the draft Of a note to Ger
many which will be submitted to the
President when they confer on the sub
ject.
No intimation is obtainable as to the
course which the American govern
ment will follow. but there is every
indication in Official quarters that the
relations between Germany and the
United States have become SO strained
as to make it necessary to weigh care
fuliy the phraseology Of the next COM
and to measure fully the
and consequences which
may be required by. its contents.
That there is to be no surrender Of
American rights in the new note is
practically certain, according to the
yiew taken by officials thus far. and IL
q also assured that the German pro-
81 assaneer ships not carrying contra
band Will be rejected.
Inst what steps will be taken BY the