South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-13

WASHINGTON, May 13-Pres't I
Wilson's note to Germany on the Lusi-
tania and other attacks upon Ameri-
can life and property on the high seas
is now being coded and the first sec
tions of it already have been trans
mitted to the German foreign Office in
Berlin.
The note. it is declared. is as force
full as it is possible TO make it without
actually furnishing justification for a
declaration of war by Germany. Pres't
Wilson in his message notifies Ger
many that his previous warning that
he would hold the German govern
ment to a strict accountability for
its destruction of American life and
property, still is the policy Of the
United States
one fact definitely ascertained about
the note today is: The United States
does not make any demand for finan-
cial reparatiOn for the loss of Amer
lean lives on the Lusirania. No spe-
citic kind of reparation is asked for.
Must Satisfy Respect.
In drafting the note the president
had three thoughts in mind-to salts
fy the self respect of the United States,
her offense against the rights of neu-
trails. and finally, to stop short of any
statements which reasonably could he
regarded by Germany as a justification
for declaring war.
The president and his advisers in
determining upon the character of the
note were fully conscious Of the event
Ualities which might follow. These
/ were weighed with the greatest care
and the determination was reached
! that the United States owed il not
! only 10 herself, but TO humanity TO
accept the risk
The final touches were put upon the
note by the president shortly after
midnight last night. He now feels
| that his duty is done. Sec'y of the
| Navy Daniels called upon him today
to congratulate him upon the note and
a incidentally to discuss certain fea-
! lures OF II. 1t was announced after
! Sec'y Daniels had seen the president
/ that the plans for the review OF the
| feet in New York are unchanged. The
! president will leave Washington OF
| the Mayfiower Saturday and will re-
/ turn TO the city next Wednesday OF
| Thursday. The Mayfiower Will e
without convoy. according TO the pres
| ent plan.
To Make One Address.
Only one question is heard in Wash
| ingtOn today. w nat viii be Ger
many's reply TO the American nOte|
The answer may be furnished in
what befalls the Transylvania, whicf
has now sailed from New York fOl
| British shores Long before a fOrma
reply comes TO the state department
the German government may show II.
/ determination TO continue its subma'
rine warfare on belligerent merchant
/ men carrying neutralS.
Admit Huge Mistake.
Reports are heard in Washington
today that German officials are nov
Unofficially admitting that the sinking
Of the Lusitania was q huge mistake
on the part Of the German admiralty
They declare that il was never intend
ed 10 sink her but merely TO disable
her. so severely that she would have 4
be beached. The Germans though
that this act would throw such a scare
into British shipping interests tha
their plan 10 restore the Mauretanls
and the Aquania 10 transatlantic ser
vice would be abandoned.
The origin OF these reports has no
been ascertained. IL IS the eXpecta
ton in Washington that Germany vii
show a willingness TO negotiate Will
lthe United States without concedini
her demands in fun. 1t is expected
that she viii make a prompt repl,
which will be most conciliatory II
| tone but whether the Washington gov
ernment VIII accept anything but al
rnequfvocal compliance with its dc
rnauds remains 10 be seen.