The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1915-07-15
POINT IN
RELATIONS At HAND
OFFICIALS FEEL UNITED STATES
MUST REFUSE GERMAN PRO-
POSALS.
ACTION DELAYED FOR WEEK
Official Text of Note Received Differs
But Slightly from Press Copy
America to Surrender None
of Her Rights.

Washington. July 13.-Formai study
OF the official text of Germany's reply
to the American note on submarine
warfare as 1t affects neutral rights
strengthens the conviction of high Of
ficials that a most critical point in
the relations between the w coun-
tries has been reached.
Not only do they feel the United
States must refuse to accept the Ger
man proposals for the future conduct
OF he American citizens on the high
seas, but the failure of Germany to
disavow the sinking of the LUsitania
with the loss of more than 100 Ameri-
cans, in their view has brought on a
crisis the outcome of which it is diff
cult at present to clearly forecee.
Delay Action for Week.
That there will be no action by the
United States for at least another
week was indicated. Several days will
be required to measure fully the con-
sequences and responsibilities which
VIII be incurred by the American gov
eminent in framing a policy 10 NEE.
the situation firmly.
Secretary Lansing will go to Cornish
n. H., within a day or two to confer
with President Wilson. He said he
would study the note carefully, and
then communicate with the President.
Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, intends to call on Secre.
tary Lansing during the week to learn
informally whether he can be of any
service in the situation. No engage.
ment has been made for a conference,
but it will likely take place at once.
Official Text Received. .
The official text of the German re-
ply arrived and was made public. 1t
differed in only a few unimportant
words from the press copy which came
from Berlin. The official version was
delayed in transmission because of the
time required for enciphering and de-
cooling. Comparison of the two texts
reveal that they were cabled from the
same translation and hat the press
copy in transmission had omitted only
a few scattering words which did no,
alter the sense or meaning.
In all quarters here the reply was
the single topic of concern. What the
action of the American government
will be is doubtful, largely, in the
sense that the means of expressing the
ideas and purposes of the United
States have not yet been decided. 1t
was authoritatively indicated that OBJ
Of rights and no acceptance of the Ger
man proposal to guarantee immunity to
American ships under arrangements
to be agreed upon by the naval au-
thorities of the two countries concern
ing the marking of neutral ships.
Responsibility On Germany.
There is no intention, from indica-
tions in official quarters, to force a
situation, but in whatever policy is
followed the American endeayor will
be to place full responsibility On Ger
many for any subsequent rupture in
frinedly relations.
Since the Lusitania was sunk on
May Z, there has been no violation of
the principles for which the United
States has commended, unless the mis-.
hap to the Nebraskan can be included,
and in that case the Washington gov.
eminent has not finally reached a con.
clusion as to whether a mine or torpe.
do caused the explosion.