South Bend news-times., 1915-05-31
NOTE REGARDED AS AN
APPEAL FOR PATRIOTISM
Munitions on Board Were IN
tended to Destroy Brave
Soldiery Who Are Fighting
For the FatherIand."
The German reply To ihc 4. =. note
can be found on page three.


WASHINGTON. Nav sD-Tb. Poe
ply OF Germany 10 the presidents note
demanding "a cessation of submarine
warfare IS regarded 10y officials as "a
direct challenge 20 the facts on which
the president based his note and "a po-
lite suggestion that the facts should De
Investigated
The view Pres't Wilson and has cab-
met viii take OF the note is conjectur-
al, as neither the white house staff
nor any member OF the cabinet would
discuss the note tonight
But there is belief here that in-
asmuch rs Germany seeks 40 Justify
the sinking of the Lusitania on ana
alleged state OF facts the first step
of this government may be 10 cali upon
Germany for the proof of her allega-
uons- The burden OF proof that the
LuSltania was naNaI auxiliary ana
was carrying troops and munitions
and that the quick sinking of the ship
was due 10 theeXplosion of these mu-
nitiOns clearly rests upon Germany.
Officials look with graNest concern
on the part of the note to the effect
that the German government regards
the company owning the Lusitania as
responsible FOR the destruction of SO
many lives.
GeImany's Defense.
In some quarters this is construed
as Germanys $ defense and as direct
denial by Germany of the more than
implied charges OF the administration
that Germany's submarine warfare
policy was responsible for the loss OF
the vessel and the wholesale loss of
life.
The note is regarded as intended 10
stir the patriotism of the people ~
Germany Officials think there is
such as appeal m Is language. which
palates the destruction of the Lusi-
tania by the argument that the muni-
tions ON board were intended 10 de-
strOy "the brave sOldIcry OF Germany
who were fighting for the fatherland.
An important but subsidiary ques-
tiOn OF fact between the president and
Germany is also raised In Germany
assertion that she intended 20 treat
the FaIaba under the rules OF interua-
tional law but that her submarine
was interrupted by the approach of
vessels which were acting suspiciOusly.
Promises Compensation.
AS To the other cases Germany
seems 10 regard them as in the class
for which she has promised compen-
satiOn for unintentiOnal injury LO the
ships OF neutrals.
Another extremely disturbing ele-
ment in the German reply IS that she
suggested "a reference 10 The Hague
OF cases such as the GuIuIght in which
neutral craft are destroyed uninten-
ti0nally
This suggestion is regarded AS a
very shreWd diplomatic move and
one that touches very keenly the poi-
J icies OF this government as 10 the set
tlement of international questions 0y
investigation and arbitration" One
OF the officials said that the shrewo-
ness Of this suggestion could scarce
IS be OVeresti mated for the reason THAI
Germany knows that the only new
policy of the state department .s that
all international questions should ne
treated by the remedies OF the Bryan
wilson Investigation treaties before
resource 10 war. II is true oftclals
say, that this administration might
reply that there is no such investiza-
ton treaty between the United states
and Germany but Mr Bryan has am
nOunced even within the last ten daEs
that Germany agreed 20 the wilson
Bryan treaties in principle and that
therefore there is a moral agree
ment' VI not contract In writing.
Another suggestion.
Stlu another grave suggestion of the
note IS that in which Germany seeks
10 know what steps the United States
has taken To induce Great Britain 90
let food under American supervision
get into the territory OF Germany for
use solely by the nOncOm latants of the
empire.
one official said that this feature
OF the reply was both an argument and
"a taunt He said Germany undeU uted-
ly refers 10 Bryan note OF Feb. ~ iu
which be made propositions 90 Ger
many and Great Britain.
Germany replied on March I to the
Bryan note 'Ihat the regulation ~
legitimate importation ~ food into
Germany suggested by the American
government appears TO be ia general.
acceptable"
Both governments in the ideusks
note were asked not 10 permit The use
of submarines "to attack merchant
vessels OF any nationality except to .u-
force the right ~ visit and search.
The intention in the German reply
seems 20 be that the United states has
pursued vigorously the proposition
that submarine warfare shall cease.
but has dropped absolutely the equally
official suggestion 20 England hat sle
CONTINUED OF PAGE THREE.)