Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-06
DELAY IN DISPATCH
OF NOTE TO BERLIN
May Be Due to Desire to Give
Bernstorff's Envoy Time to
Reach Germany.
FINALLY REVISED BY WILSON
Reports That 1t Would Be Brief
but Emphatic Borne
Out by Text.

WASHINGTON. June 5.-The note
which President Wilson, with the APP
prevail of his Cabinet. had prepared
to be sent to Germany. insisting on
adherence to the rule Of international
law in the conduct of maritime war
lare, was not cabled to-day Word
came from the White House in the
forenoon that II has been practically
finished, hut the document was not
given TO legal officers of the State De-
partnent to-day, as had been expected.
The reason for the delay in tho dis
patch of the note was not revealed.
omcials declined to say when 1t would
be cabled. or what it's status was The
TACT that the President had practically
finished II led to the belief that Secre-
tary Bryan would study 1t tonight and
Tomorrow. and that It would be given
TO Councillor Lansing and other officials
or the State Department on Monday
for revision Of legal detail
II the communication is not sent be-
fore Monday night. II would scarcely
reach Ambassador Gerard before We'd
nesday for presentation to the German
officials.
Az Soflc quarters the delay was
thought TO be due TO the desire 10 give
Meyer Gerhard, personal envoy OF
Count Won Bernstorf. the German am
bassador, now en- route to Berlin, an
opportunity to reach Germany about
the time the imperial government
would be considering the American re-
jonder.
Officials declined. however. to admit
that this was q factor in the situation
NEW NOTE TO GERMANY
BRIEF But EMPHATIC
Previous reports that the note would
be brief but emphatic are borne out,
II Is said by the text as II now stands.
II was emphasized by prominent gov
eminent officials that Germanys con-
tention that the I.usitania was war
vessel and the claim that passengers
were warned against sailing on the
Lusitania and did so at their own risk.
is not exactly correct
Germanys warning was general
against sailing on all vessels flying
the flag OF Great Britain The point
tina; Germany considered the Lusitania
war vessel Was not noted in the
warning issued from the German en-
bassy here through the press of the
United States.
had been given in the note TO the claim
or German: ;aa:, as the Lusitania was
on the British naval list, she must
therefore. be considered as an auxiliary
cruiser The American point OF view
has been in accordance with the prac-
tice Of many nations. and The Hague
convention rules, that the change from
pea ccful merchantmen to an auxiliary
cruiser is a proceeding OF distinct
character, attended by certain formali-
ties. such as the comm !ssioninC OF the
vessel In the case of British vessels
this is done in a home port
MAY RESTATE CONCLUSIONS
OF NOTE OF MAY IL
In some quarters II was suggested
that the President before dispatching
the communication would embody in it
p restatement OF the conclusion OF the
note OF May IL. in which the imperial
government was warned not to expect
the United States TO omit any word or
any act necessary TO the performance
OF its sacred duty OF maintaining the
rights OF the United States and its
citizens"
1t was explained authoritatively that
while the British and French embassies
had not arranged safe conduct for Myer
Gerhard on his trip TO Berlin as the
representative OF the German ambas-
sador. the State Department had found
means of assuring itself that the envoy
would not be molested by the ships OF
the allied fleet. 1t was said, too. that
safe conduct had not yet been granted
for Dr.. Bernhard Dernhurg, although
II undoubtedly would be arranged when
wanted
IN,
pected that Germany's reply will be
withheld until Mr.. Gerhard has arrived
and explained the situation. This. il is
estimated, will take at least a fortnight,
as the boat on which the envoy sailed
would not bring him to Denmark much
sooner.
BRITISH OFFICIALS DENY
LUSITASIA WAS ARMED
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, British am
bassador. has transmitted q note from
the British government. solemnIy as
surfing the United States that the Luz
sitania was not armed. This assur-
ance conforms with the investigation
conducted by American officials before
the ship was given clearance from New
York. AfIidavits. claiming that Gustav
Stable saw guns mounted on the Luai-
tania. still are under investigation by
the Department of Justice, but officials
declared no evidence had been adduced
to prove the statements made in the