Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-09
PRESIDENTS FIRM
. NOTE TOtGERMANY
Unfavorable Reply May Re-
suit in Severance of
Relations
WILL BE SENT TO-DAY.
Acceptance of Bryan's Resignation
Spreads Impression That Presi-
dent is Determined.

Washington, June 9-Facing the
greatest crisis in the history of the
United States, President Wilson
stands firm today Oil a policy of nc
surrender of American rights.
No matter what the cost, he is
prepared to emphasize the doctrine
of protection for Americans wherever
they may go. The resignation of Sec
retary Bryan from the Cabinet has
solidifed the Administration.
Developments proceeded rapidly
today in connection with the dispatch
of the German note which caused the
resignation of Mr.. Bryan.
Completely coded, the note is ready
to be sent to Behlin before night fall.
Affixed to it is the name of Acting
Secretary Robert Lansing. the full
statement promised by Mr.. Bryan iE
explanation of his withdrawal from
the Cabinet is momentarily expect
ed.
Washington, June 3-The policy
of the United States toward Ger
many-an insistence on the obser-
vance of neutral rights and the safe
guarding of the lives of Americans
on the high seas was determined
finally yesterday at a Cabinet dis
cussion.
Secretary Bryan's resignation had
been submitted and accepted when
rne meeting convened, and he s"oH
little part in the discussion. The
note, which is to be sent to Germany
TODAY was read over for the last time
to the Cabinet by President Wilson.
Suggestions of some minor changes
we're noted by the President.
The resignation of Mr.. Bryan, who
advocated a course that under no
circumstances would involve the
United States in war, spread the i'm
preston that the President and his
Cabinet had decided firmly that the
rights of the United States must he
upheld in any eventuality that may
arise. While no intimation of the con-
tents of the note was given, 1t is un-
derstood an unfavorable reply will
mean the severance of diplomatic re.
lations with Germany, and that at
tacks on Americans thereafter might
lead even to greater complications.
The effect of the general situation
of Secretary Bryan's withdrawal
from the Cabinet was a subject OF
comment everywhere. Foreign dlplo'
matists interpreted it as signihcan'
of a forceful course on the part OF
the United States. They were busy
with their code books and cable
grams last night advising their res
pective governments of the Cabinets
change and it's significance.
In Austro-German quarters, where
there has been some confidence that
Secretary Bryan's stand for peace
would make impossible rupture be-
tween the United States and Ger
MANY. the resignation of the secre'
tarv caused much uneasiness.
In other official and diplomatic
quarters the view was. held that by
accepting the resignation OF MI
BRYAN the President had demonStrat
ed to Germany his earnest intention
of securing, reparation for the los:
of American lives on the. Lusitani:
and a guarantee against other viola
tions of American rights. Count vo'
Bernstorff, the German ambassador
called on Counselor Lansing early il
the dav to inform him that, although
; the embassy quarters had been re
moved to Cedarhurst. L. l.. he woul'
remain here indefinitely to await
copv of the American note. Later il
the day Mr.. Lansing announced tn
German embassy had transmitted
two more affidavits Of two person
who claimed to have overheard per
sons say there were guns. on th
Lusitania. Mr.. Lansing said the aft
davits were regarded as unimportan
by the Department of Justice, an
decided there were no guns on tn
/ Lusitania.