Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-03

Iiasrsnts 70 30 Demanded.
Washington, June 3.-President Will
son worked most Of today on the now
note to Germany. The situation had
developed to a point where thru the
visit of Count Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, to the president yesterday
was believed likely to enlighten the
Berlin foreign Office on the attitude OF
the United States. The American
government is unmoved in its inten-
tions to determine promptly whether
German submarine commanders will
hereafter respect the principles of in
ternational law.
The facts upon which the German
government asked agreement, it Is now'
practically certain, will be treated Dy
the note as irrelavent with one excep-
ton. 1t is understood that the note
will restate that the Lusitarlia was on
peaceful cruise. did not resist cap
ture. and was unarmed. All the other
points raised by Germany are deemed
Irrelevant under the laws OF nations. :
Must 0uarantso Humanity.
The purpose Of the United States IN
the new note will be to discover wheth-
er Germany will. In the future, upon
encountering vessels Of any national
tty that are unay ned, transfer pas
senRers and crew to places OF safety,
should a vessel carrying contraband Do
certain Of condemnation OF pri5e
court. and therefore subject to destruc-
ton. II was reiterated at the state
department today that while affidavits
filed there by the German embassy con-
tending that the Lusitania was armed
had been carefully considered. tho
proof Of the United States that the
Lusitania was tlnRrmed. 10 beyono
question.
!. No Expiosivss Aboard.
None Of the signers. in the opinion OF
officials, could have made as searching
an investigation as did the customs In :
spectors. who were specifically ordered
to examine decks of vessels and holds
for the one thing-presence of guns.
Had there been explosives aboard, OF
f,ctals say, clearance would have been
refused. Before the Lusitania sailed
ail s,cia facts were In possession cS the
American government. -as
Count Bernstorff, the Geruan am
bassador. conferred briefly with Secre-
tary BRYAN today but would not dis
cuss the subject of his visit.
insists Lusitania Was Armed.
Count Won Bernstorn yesterday re-
peated to the president what he told
Secretary Bryan. that there was no
nuestion as to the lively wish of the
German government to clear up the
misunderstanding which have de-
yeloped with the United States. He
declared there couid be noflonger any
questions between the two govern
ments regarding the Gulhight and
Cushing, Germany having expressed
regret and being prepared to make
ample reparation.
AS to the Lusitania, he explained
his submission Of four affidavits to
the state department., which. signed
by neutral passengers. stated posi-
lively that there were guns on board
which were mounted below decks and
masked. He also referred to the
character Of the Lusitania, which he
described as auxiliary cruiser. and
to the rewards paid to masters OF
British merchantmen for ramming
submarines.
There was thorough discussion Of
the vulnerability Of submarines. which
the ambassador advanced as ground
fer their inability to practice visit
and search.
Asks Specific Submarine Terms. {
This is precisely what the president
claimed in his note. The submarines
can not be used as commerce destroy
ers since their very character prevents
consideration of humane principles.
What the president wants is the pro-
lection Of innocent human life. He
believes not only that all passengers
and crew should be removed from the
captured ship. but that they should
be put in q place Of safety.
Tho ambassador pointed out to the
President that in the American note
Of May 1S no specific demands were
made regarding submarine warfare.
The practice was denounced and Ger
many was told there must be no re-
clirrence Of anything so repugnant to
the nrinciples Of humanity and interno.
tional law.
what would satisfy the United
States. the ambassador desired to
know? Does It wish to prohibit sub
marine attack on all merchant ves-
,sels? But many Of these ships carry
contraband and Germany has An un-
doubted right to seize 1t and II neces-
sary to sink the vessel carrying It.
Does the United States wish 20 limit
the freedom OF the seas to passenger
vessels? In this event, should not
passenger vessels be forbidden Ito
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