South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-05-15
Realization That United States
Has Now Committed Itself
IrrevOCabIy Brings Feeling
of Relief in Capital.
KAISER MAY SlEZE
CHANCE TO NEGOTIATE
TeutOniC Government Not Un-
likely to Request Interfer-
enCe With Britain'S Bread
War as Price of Yielding.

WASHINGTON. May with the
publication of the text of the presi-
dents note TO Germany demanding
that submarine attacks on neutral
shipping be stopped, official Wash
ington turned its attention to the
probable contents OF the German re-
ply.
with the realization that this gov
crnments action is now irrevOcable
and committing the United States be-
fore the world. a feeling of relief was
evidenced in all official quarters. 1t
is appreciated that Germany's reply
can hardly he looked for within a
shorter period than a week.
To is not wanting in belief here that
Germany Will by no means fully meet
the demands of the United states
The chief proposal expected from
Germany is renewal OF the pro-
pOsal that tnc United States bring
about am abandonment of the Ger
man submarine warfare by inducing
Great Britain TO give up her food re-
.-traint on germany. II is believed that
such "a answer on the part of Ger
many 81 ouid satisfy all the argum ents
of the United States 1t can be stated
Cmphatlcally that the administration
viii not entertain the expected Ger
man proposal.
Disregard Appeal for Humanity.
The attitude of Germany seems to
be one of not taking seriously the
exalted appeal of Prest Wilson on
the grounds of humanity and civiliza-
tion. The German notion seems TO be
that such portions of the note can be
disregardcd and the matter reduced
10 "a business basis. Notice has been
taken in German quarters of the eX-
pressiOns by public men in this cOun-
Try to the effect that Americans really
ought not 10 have embarked on the
14usitdnia, and the belief seems to ex-
ist that by appealing To this view held
hy many Americans the real issues
and a break will be avoided Pres Z
Wilson's statement that Americans
were exercising their ''indisputable
rights when attacked is. according TO
the German view, a vulnerable point
lu the American note.
Discuss Counter Proposals.
Counter proposals which Germany
may make to the United States are
being widely discussed i'm Washington
today.
The proposal which is receiving
greatest consideration i'm responsible
quarters is that Germany Will agree
to discontinue her submarine attack
con belhgcrent merchantmen provid-
ed that the United States refuses to
allow any passenger ship leaving
American shores To carry munitions
of war This proposal might seem
10 the American public and the Amer
loan government a reasonable one
and might become the basis Of an
agreement between the United states
and Germany. 1t is pointed out that
Great Britain could not reasonably
object 20 this course of action on
the part Of the United States without
alternating American sympathy for the
cause of the allies.
The situation looks much better
today than it did yesterday" said a
prominent government official today.
"T do not think that Germany viii
reject the American demand in total.
but viii send a reply that viii make
a favorable impression upon the
American public"
SEE No NEED OF CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. May 15.-Public
men now in Washington take the view
that the presence of congress would
lend more 10 embarras the president
IN dealing with the situation pre-
sented by the sending of the German
note than anything else. They say
that the situation involves only diplO-
1natiC intercourse. which is entrusted
hy the law and the constitution 70
the executive and. If 10 should pass
beyond that stage. then il would be
time enough for the president TO sum-
mon congress In extraordinary ses-
sion. Sen. Martin ~ Virginia. chair
man or the committee ON appropria-
tlOns. said.
Il can see no reason why congress
should be called. as some have Sug-
gested- There is nothing that con-
Eress need now do. and if action by
congress were necessary there is am
PIE time 10 summon IL here
Sen. Martin added 10 this opinion.
this country viii never declare war