West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-07-15
ANSWER OF GERMANY DOES
NOT MEET WITH APPROVAL
Is Considered Evasive by Washing
ton Officials Who Are Not Pleas
ed with Reply-President Wilson
will Give Careful Consideration
to Course to be Pursued

WASHINGTON, July 1O.-omcials
take a grave view OF the situation pro-
duced by Germany's refusal TO meet
the demands OF the United States
growing out OF the Lusitania Incl
dent
Upon President Wilson rests the
burden of deciding the policy which
the United States is to follow Quiet
ly and carefully he is considering the
situation, IL was stated at the. White
House. after telephone communica-
tion had been had with the President
at Cornish. n. H.. where he is spend
ing the summer.
Secretary Lansing withheld com
ment. AS soon as the complete ofi-
cial text of the German reply arrives.
which will be tomorrow, he will begin
careful study of IL and on Monday
or Tuesday will go TO Cornish. for a
conference with the President. The
President will then return to lay be
fore the cabinet the course upon
which he may have determined
What action the United States will
take. officials today could not predict
with certainty. Some of those who
have been familiar with the Presi-
dents point of view and with the de-
tails of the present situation pointed
out that there seemed but one course
open with dignity and honor to the
United States-the continued asser-
tion and exercise of the rights of neu-
trails on the high seas in accordance
with the established principles of in
ternational law.
Responsibility for any rupture in
friendly relations which might subse-
quently ensue between the United
States and Germany, il was declared.
would then fall upon the Berlin gov
ernment
There is as yet no crystalization OF
opinion among officials as to details,
but the distinct tendency is toward
reiteration. not only in formal note
but In actual practice of the principles
for which the United States has been
contending. The unanimous verdict
OF high officials was that the German
reply was thoroughly unsatisfactory
and leaves the situation exactly at the
point where IL was i'm the days imme-
dlately following the sinking of the
Lusitania
While the continued exercise of
American rights i'm the future is urg-
ed as a logical course to be followed,
Il is recognized also that the United
States cannot abandon the demands Il
has made for the disavowal of intent
to drown Americans and the question
OF reparation.
Gelmany's refusal on these points
may lead. IL is believed, to steps by
the United States to show its disap-
proval of the last note. Whether Am
bassador Gerard might be recalled or
complete severance OF diplomatic re-
lations ordered was again discussed in
official circles as well as among dip
lomatists. In the absence of word
from the President no definite indica-
tion of what might be done eventually
was obtainable. Before taking any
definite steps. however, officials famil-
lar with diplomatic precedence and in
ternational usuage declared tina. the
American government probably would
send a note to Germany formally re.
jecting the proposals TO permit the
unrestricted use Of American passC n.
ger ships or hostile merchantmen
under the American flag prOyi led they
carried no munitions OF war. In the
same note fOr-,ai notification prob
ably. would be given to the Germans
of the intention of the United States
to continue to exercise its rights. will
the announced expectation that they
would be respected
There is little disposition i'm oHicia
quarters to hurry a decision on the
mOmentOus questions involved. Sine,
negotiations began two months ago
II was pointed out, the United States
virtually has been using the high sea-
In accordance with It's views on inter
national law and there have been M
belligerent ships carrying American
passengers without warning
Since German submarine command
ers have made their practice squar,
with international law TO that extent
officials do not believe the refusal o
the German government itself TO Civ,
explicit assurances will be followed
by any overt act involving further los
OF American lives. The controllinj
factor I'm the situation, according {,
Indications In official quarters, is tn
attitude the United States should TAX
as a result of the Lusitania TRACED.
itself II Is that which is giving Off
cials most concern the shaping OF
course that will maintain the dignit
Of the United States and give promis
Of obtaining some satisfactory settle
mcnt OF ihe dispute.
There was no denial i'm any quartz
that the general situation was fraugh
with grave possibilities This was in
dicated however, in the undertone q
comment rather than I'm any direc
way.
On the law OF the case the Ameri
can position was held by officials {
be absolutely impregnable, because
was founded on the well recognize
principles by which nations have Ion
been guided