The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-02
Situation Felt By President
and His Advisors To Be
Exceedingly Serious a n d
Break Likely
REPLY TO GERMANY
TO BE MADE PROMPTLY
FAILURE Of Negotiations Be-
tween Countries May Lead
To Early Severing Diplo-
matte Relations and Posi-
bly, War

Washington, june t.--Presa-
dent Wilson and his advisers, af-
ter considering GeFmany's reply
I'm the cabinet meeting today.
agreed ON this general PROPOSE
ton:
That 1t lis necessary to require
Germany To defaare herself on
those principles OF the laws of
nations and humanity which have
been invoked by the United States
and ignored by Germany In her
reply.
The probability is that the
United States will ask for such
an expression from Germany be-
fore t-onSenting 10 any discussion
OF the alleged facts recited by
Germany i'm reference to the
L,isitania. A majority of the
cabinet members are I'm favor of
such course. and the under
standing h that the President as
present Is inclined toward IL.
The opinion al the cabinet meeting
vas unanimous that Germany must
meet the United States squarely on
the vital and funda mental issues In
VOWED in the acts growing out or her
submarine program before any adj
justment Of the situation can he hoped
for. II was agreed that Germany has
.hus far wholly failed TO satisfy the
United states In this regard.
No Final Action Taken,
There was no effort made by the
President at today's meeting Of the
cabinet. 10 determine finally the actual
details of the next step which the
United States must take in dealing
win Germany. He eontended him
self with obtaining the views of his
advisers and at the cabinet gathering
next Friday he will submit to them
draft of q note expressing the con-
illusions reached as the result Of his
own views and those OF his official
family.
The only point of difference that de-
veioped at today's meeting of the
cabinet was az TO how far the United
States should yield TO Germany's in
vitation to discuss alleged facts which
she had tut forward as bearing on
the Lusitania case. minority in the
ca hinet were able to see a relevancy
In the facts assumed by Germany In
this connection. These members are
inclined to favor. therefore, a discus
sion and investigation OF these alleged
facts
Situation Extremely Grave.
That the consideration of a reply
v" VI. W. i.is" tiote e1uss |"
onfcaals mere an oVer"heimlng reahza-
ton Of tne eStreme grav,ty q ne
si'nAtion ana 40 appreciation OF the
character or the consequences "hich
may nave 10 os taceo nv TINS govern
menI On TINS account there1ore,
many were To-Day lnciheo TO see III
the conference which tne fres'oeht IN
70 nave tomorrow Win count Won
bernstorH, the German am oassaoor'
more reason lor nopefuihess imam
was the case YESTERDAY.
oMciahs mere oeasse that III the
herman government hao iuilv uhuer-
stood the oepth OF ieeins IN TINS
country on the issues involved ar
ferent KIND OF note would nave oeen
sent from Serhh, me cali or the
German AMBASSADOR tomorrow VIII
give the Presinent an opportunity to
impress on the ambassador, ana
through MIN ms government. the Sc
robustness with wnich the UNITED
States views the situation and the
strength or us determination 10 up
hold the principles involved IN the
submarine issue. Inus. It Is hoped,
the FOUNDATIONS OF more satlsfac-
fseFmanV