Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-11
WAIT ON PRESIDENT
TO DECIDE COURSE
Question Still Giving Rise to
Wide Range of Speculation
in Official Circles.
RELATIONS MAY BE SEVERED
German Ambassador Expresses
Deep Regret at Loss of So
Many American Lives.

WASHINGTON. May 10.--While Of
fetal Washington waited to-day for the
word from President Wilson as to what
is to be the policy Of the United States
In the crisis resulting from the sinking
OF the Lusitania. Count Bcrnstorff. the
German ambassador. called at the
State Department and expressed to
Secretary Bryan his deep regret that
the events Of the war had led to the
loss Of 80 many American lives"
The ambassador did not comment on
his visit. but Secretary Bryan said only
that he understood the expression to
have come from Count Bernstorf per-
sonally. He gave out the following by
agreement:
The German ambassador called at
the State Department and expressed
his deep regret that the events of the
war had led to the loss OF so many
American lives"
Later press dispatches from Berlin
announced that the Foreign once had
cabled to the embassy a note, to be
presented TO the State Department, ex-
pressing deepest sympathy at the loss
or lives on board the Lusitania," but
placing the responsibility upon the
British governments plan Of starving
the civilian population of Germany"
DISPATCHES READ
WITHOUT COMMENT
This note. which probably is in re-
spon5e To Ambassador Gerard's request
for Il statement Of the German govern
ments attitude, had not reached the
embassy tonight Dispatches giving
the text of the note were read BY Sec
retary Bryan and at the embassy with
out comment. 1t is known, however
that the statement OF the German posi-
tion Is just what has been looked for
in official circles.
The British and French ambassadors
were at the State Department late to-
day to express their horror and
sympathy" over the destruction OF the
Lusitania. 1t was made apparent that
they had nothing to suggest as to the
action of the United States That
America must settle herself directly
with Germany for these facts was the
substance of opinion among the diplo-
matte representatives of the allied
powers.
Chevalier van Rappard, minister from
the Netherlands, also called at the de-
partment and made 1t clear that the
situation OF his government Is Identical
with that OF the United States on the
relation to the Lustania
What will be the policy of the United
States still is giving rise to a wide
range of speculation in official and
semioficial circles
MAY SEVER DIPLOMATIC
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY
There is continued discussion here of
the suggestion that the United States
sever diplomatic relations with Ger
many without a declaration of war, but
IT is pointed out that such course
would have serious effect upon huma nic
tartan work the United States has been
conducting throughout the war. What
ever is done. 1t is believed, probably
Will be prefaced by an exchange of
notes with Germany.
The calling Of an extra session OF
Congress. so far as can be learned,
does not seem to be a part of the
Presidents plan of procedure. Through
out the day messages continued to pour
into the White House from all parts of
the country expressing confidence in
the President or urging him to pursue
various courses.
Considerable discussion developed in
official circles over the attitude
taken In Germany that the people of
the United States were warned by the
German government against going TO
Europe on belligerent ships.
Secretary Bryan. asked about this,
and whether any warning had been
given to Americans from the State De-
partment, said:
Il think l had better go no farther
than 20 say that warning was given"
He added that the German govern
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