The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-12
wise to send them through to the Pa

cific anyway.
! At the war department, not sign
of unusual activity was visible.
/ President Wilson, to all outward IN
sdications, was taking everytn1ns
quite as matter OF course, except
that he was more constantly than
usual in his study.
/ This however, was significant
enough His advisers said there was
not development in the international
situation which he WAS not handing
personally. The amount OF work Do
was doing. they asserted, was enos,
nous and some fears were expressed
that he would break under the STRAIN.
OF this, however, there was no sign;
he looked and acted in perfect heai!n
and spirits.
Decision 10 Made.
WASHINGTON, May 11.-Pred-
dent Wilson has fully made up his
mind today on his action In the LUST
| tania case.
A note, vigorous in tone, firm IN
purpose. but devoid OF threats OF
Ibluster, will be sent late todsy OF
early Thursday to Berlin, 1t was an
nounced. calling Germany to . strict
accounting for the destruction OF
American lives and property IN the
war zone" All that Americans feel IN
the way of resentment will be ex'
pressed It was expected, but not IN
such a way az to shut the door
against any sincere German desire to
make amends and give solemn assur-
ances that such incidents as that OF
the L,1sitania and others. which have
occurred in the past, Will not be re-
peated In the future.
On the requirement that sslch assur-
ances there must be. 1t was stated on
good authority. however. tho note
will be clean cut and emphatic. Ger
many, according to reliable reports
will be called on to admit that war
methods involving the slaughter OF
neutrals, or Americans, or women ana
children, are wrong.
"The course of the president has
been determined" announced Secre-
tary Tumulty, following long con-
ference with the chief executives. II
will be announced just as soon AZ IL
is proper to publish the note now IN
preparation"
Refusing further comment. tho sec
rotary was unable to say whether
President Wilson. adopting diplo-
matio style considerably In vogue
since the wars outbreak, would make
his communication public, before Ito
receipt by the Berlin foreign office.
Despite presidential advisor1' dis
inclination to talk, 1t was believed
the note would refuse. at the outset,
to consider previous German repre-
sensations in justification Of It's sub
marine war methods-representa
that these methods were rendered
necessary firstly by Americas I'M
willingness to place an embargo on
arms and ammunition shipments to
the allies.
On the other hand, 1t was asserted,
the president would insist the United
States is unconcerned In Germanys
grievances against Great Britain: on
the other that it has been mada plain
America cannot stop shipment OF war
supplies without violating neutrality,
proposition 1t will be pointed out.
to which Germany practically agreed
early in the war.
| A refusal will also be embodied, II
was understood, to recognize Ger
manys contention that submarine
warfare does not permit submerged
craft to give warning before IN at
tack to vessels carrying Americans.
Such warning, II will be contended,
is especially provided for by tnterna-
tional law and il 1t is impossible. 1t
will be insisted that such warfare is
wrong and must be stopped.
Information from many sources left
no doubt that the American note will
contain no threat Of war.
| However the administration would
act-the initiation of hostilities hav-
ing been decided against In advance
was a matter Of surmise.
The commonest guess was. that the
withdrawal OF the American dtplo-
matte representatives in Berlin would
be the next step. Some of the exc
cutive's advisors have argued that
this would be virtually equivalent to
war declaration. Tho president
himself Is said to have pointed to
precedents to the contrary.
That there will be such action, how
ever, was guess work. So far as
known the president has revealed to
no one what he would do in the advent
of a German defiance.
international experts who have
studied the German statement rela-
tive to mistaken" German submarine
attacks on neutral ships. inclined to-
day to SEQ in It disposition to avoid
an attitude Of irreconsilfbility.
| For the first time 1t was remarked
the Berlin government Indicated rec
ogniticn Of the fact that neutrals have
suffered through her submarine war
fare.
It was suggested, however, that this
statement, while giving assurances
that Germany does not mean wilfully
to attack neutral vessels flying neutral
flags, does not meet the situation
created by the killing Of neutrals on
unarmed merchant vessels. OF such
incidents IT was believed, the note
will speak.