Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-10
NOTE GOES FORTH
COUCHED IN TERMS
OF 'NOSURRENDER'
lone of Message to Ger
many Is Friendly, but It's
Meaning Unmistakable.
NO DISSENTING VOICE
IS RAISED IN CABINET
Only Man Who Opposed 1t, Re-
signed at Moment of It's
Dispatch.
WILSON'S STAND UNALTERABLE
determined Country Shall Yield No
Right Which American People
Fought For.

i1'NfiDN, June 5.-Thc United
states to-day sen, to Germany note
Ie''efapng its demand for reparation
ioF the loss Of American lives in the
SINKING OF the Lusitania. and setting
o''h clearly the earnest desire Of the
american government that Germany
signify her early adherence % the prin
ciples OF international law-that ncu-
'rais ne permitted to travel on unarmed
ships without being subject TO the
dangers OF submarine warfare.
Couch"d In much more friendly terms
that 1t was believed would be used
when the unsatisfactory answer 10 tho
american note OF May l3 arrived from
germany, the communication vas
cahied to Ambassador Gerard for pre-
sentation TO the German Foreign Office
IL VIII be given out Tomorrow night
for publication in the morning papers
OF Friday.
As the all-important document on
which President Wilson and his ad-
Tisers have worked for ten days went
forth. II had behind IL the united sup
port of the Cabinet. The one man w,o
had opposed It's terms because he bc
lered II might precipitate war-wI-
liam Jennings Bryan-had resigned the
portfolio Of Secretary OF State mt the
moment the note was dispatched.
SUGGESTIONS OF BRYAN
REJECTED III WILSON
statement issued by Mr. Bryan
revealed that President Wilson had
rejected his suggestions for an inves-
tigation BY a commission for a years
time OF the legal phase of the dispute
x,.ith ioh
should, according to Mr. Bryan's view,
be warned against taking passage on
any belligerent ships or any American
vessels carrying ammunition.
President Wilson made no comment
on the statement. but the text OF the
note. il was stated. would outline fully
the position of the President and the
Cabinet.
The President stands unalterably. 1t
was stated, on the principle that the
United States at this stage in its his
tory cannot AFFORD to surrender any Of
its rights; that the American people
, had fought in 1912 for their rights on
the high seas and could not sacrifice
those rights with the nations rise and
growth to a position of command as
world power.
WOULD BE SURRENDER
OF AMERICAN RIGHTS
High officials generally held the view
that Mr. Bryan's statement constituted
a virtual surrender OF American rights
guaranteed not only by international
law, but by specific treaties between
the United States and Germany. Mr..
Bryan's suggestion that Americans do
fak ka
carrying ammunition was in direct con-
hict, It was pointed out, with the treaty
of 1925. between Prussia and the United
states. wherein either party IN time
of war Is given the right Of free access
to belligerent ports for commerce In
arms and ammunition and other con-
traband. Moreover. the right of an
American citizen to sail on an unarmed
and unresisting merchant ship OF any
nationality In time of war is held by
the President and his advisers to be
an inalienablc privilege founded on the
international law of centuries.
The Presidents view is understood
to be that new weapon Of offense in
warfare can be introduced only II It Is
made to conform with the generally es-
tabIished rules Of international law
existing. The conditions OF war may
change, he has said. but not the rules
OF war, unless there is general agree
ment among the nations which con-
,ributed to the making of international
law.
Mr. Wilson. 1t became known. is not
opposed to the Idea OF an investigation
or diplomatic discussion of cases in
dispute between Germany and the
United States. but feels that before
srch step can be taken some guar
anty must be given that in the interim
OF discussion the lives of American
citizens will not be jeopardized and that
the United States will not be required
to yield any OF Its rights while the dis
cussion Ia under way.
GERNIANY's ACaUIEsCENCE
MUST FIRST BE SECURED
II is the repetition OF attacks on
American vessels or lives which the