Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-01
President to Take No Back
ward Step in Dealings
With Germany.
WILL OF PEOPLE
TO BE FOLLOWED
prssident Assumso From Newspaper
Comment That Germany Must Com
ply With Rules Of Humanity in Sea
PoIjey-Prssidsnt to Make Answer
20 German Note Thursday or Fri
day-cabinst Discusses Situation.

son today told callers he did not feel 1t
would be wise for him to discuss Ger
many 5 1er.y, .c the American note un-
til after he had consulted his cabinet
and studied farther the important
questions involved.
The president said the American re-
joinder, however. would not be many
days delayed. He spoke Of having
studied the official text last night and
OF his intention to have a preliminary
discussion with his cabinet at today 8
session.
Calm in his bearing and showing
none Of the strain of the international
problems before him, the President re-
ceived the Washington correspondent
tions concerning domestic affairs had
hardly touched the edge Of his mind.
ny he phrased It, because Of the great
er Importance Of the International sit
uation.
The president revealed that he had
not yet drafted the reply to Germany
and that It probably will be done after
today's cabinet meeting,
Tomorrow Count Bernstorf, the Ger
man ambassador. at his own request.
viii see the President. The reply 10
expected to go forward on Thursday or
Friday.
Backed BY Public Opinion.
The president, 1t is understood, has
been much impressed with the practi-
cally unanimous verdict Of American
editorial opinion that the German an
swer was not really an answer but an
evasion Of the greater issues OF law
and humanity. His close advisers say
he regards this as sure reflection OF
the opinion of the country and will en-
deavod by his action to respect 1t.
Many OF those familiar with tho
presidents previous attitude thought
the American rejoinder would be short
and would demand early reply.
May Sever Diplomatic Relations.
Failure to meet the American repre-
sentation would. 1t was freely predict
ed, result in q severance of diplomatic
relationa Diplomatic non-intercourse
would not necessarily be followed, 1t
was pointed out today. by any other
step unless American rights were again
flagrantly violated.
When cabinet officers arrived at the
White House none would express an
opinion. but all reflected the gravity of
the situation, The president indicated
in his speech yesterday at Burlington
that ho hoped to have the widest coun-
sc! IN the present situation. While he
wants to send q reply to Germany in q
day OF two. he intends to go over the
new note carefully with Counsellor
Lansing ana legal officers Of the gov
ernment before It is dispatched.
Secretary Redfeld was the only
member absent today. Secretary Hous-
ton had hurried here from the west 10
be present.
Forscast Of Contents.
The new note to Germany which Is
being prepared by President Wilson
will make the following statement Of
the position Of the United States gov
ernment: s.i
: In view Of the continuing submarine
attacks without warning upon unarm-
ed merchant vessels, the United States
to constrained to insist upon satisfac-
tory assurances that the immunities
conferred by international law upon
Americans and American property will
be respected.
The United States holds Germany to
tho obligation imposed by international
law not to destroy an unarmed enemy
passenger ship without providing for
the safety Of .non-combatants aboard.
In order that there may be no recur-
renee Of attacks on American ships,
pronounced unintentional and acci-
dental by Berlin, the United States
holds Germany to the obligation Inn
posed by international law to visit and
search any captured prize.
ThA Lu0itania was not In service as
an auxiliary British cruiser. even II
subject to commission as such under
the terms Of its construction.
The Lusltania was an unarmed pas
senger vessel, the United States gov
sernment having ascertained by official
inspection before its sailing that It
carried no guns. either mounted or un-
mounted. or masked under decks.
Tho carriage Of munition Of war by
the Lusitania, privileged by interna-
tional law, did not warrant the de-
3struction Of the vessel without visit
and search to determine the presence
of contraband.
Tho L,lsitania complied with the
American law prohibiting the trans
portation Of high explosives on pas
senger vessels.
IN attempting 10 oscapo ts5o = siaDa
exercised : privilege recognized by in-
ternAtional law. but neither this cir
cumstance nor the approach Of .t,ls-;
picioua Steamsrs' warranted the sub.