Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-04
WILSON TO HAVE
LEGAL OPINION
Will Use it in New Note
He is Now Preparing
for Germany
WILL BE READY TODAY
Will Show Question Raised by Kaiser
Concerning Arms and Reservists
on Lusitania Irrelevant.

dent Wilson will have before him
within few hours q legal opinion
disposing of Germany's latest conten.
tions in the Lusitania case. 1t vii!
then be up to him to decide how much
of it to make part Of the new Ger
man note, expected to be approved
by the cabinet today and then dis
patched to Berlin.
The opinion will state positively
that the question raised by Germany
concerning the alleged presence OF
arms and Canadian reservists on the
ship is irrelevant. 1t will strip the
German reply of it's most vital conten-
tions and will narrow the issue in
yolved to the original American posi-
tion.
The affidavit filed with the State
Department, purporting to show that
guns were mounted on the Lusitania
and that there were hidden explosives
chiefly guncotton, on board, will be
considered.
On the gun proposition, the State
Departments legal experts take the
view that the German claim is dis
posed of by the New York port col
lector's report, declaring his inspcc-
tors examined every part OF the YES
sci carefully, even entering the hold,
without finding the weapons referred
to. 1t will be pointed out also that no
part of the decks was strengthened
to receive them.
The carrying of small arms and
ammunition, it will be stated, was in
accordance with law, and the exact
statute will be cited to prove this
The charge that the manifest was
falsified to conceal the alleged fact
that hidden explosives were carried
the opinion will; say, amounts, even
if true, only to case of fraud or con-
spiracy against the government OF the
United States. making the vessel, as
carrying contraband, possible subject
to seizure but not to destruction.
Councillor Robert Lansing, of the
State Department, who is preparing
the. legal facts in connection with the
German reply, frankly stated today
that every suggestion raised on be-
half of the German position was
being carefully examined, whether
relevaat ito issues or not. In this con-
nection the Treasury Department IS
investigating the circumstances sur.
rounding the affidavit filed with the
government.
President Wilson spent good por-
ton of yesterday alone in his study
going over the memoranda dealing
D.,
with the German position. Included
were suggestions, and opinions from
the Cabinet legal experts, as well as
the information compiled by the
State Department. From the mass the
President expected t owind out the
German note so that he can reduce
it to form probably tonight and ther
take it up with the Cabinet Friday
1T is asserted positively in. unusual
ly;;well informed circles that execu'
tive is standing firm for his demand
that Germany recognize Americans
rights to travel in safety, and il
Germany complies, it was said, al
danger of rupture would disappear
Immediately, inasmuch as other is
sues involved can be disposed OF lei
surely through the regular diploma
tic channels. "
That Count Won Bernstorf ma
sent word to his home governmen
emphasizing the Importance OF thi
fact is known. 1t is understood tina
in addition to putting it up to tn
German foreign office he has sent
direct message to the Kaiser urg
ing that nothing be left ndone t
satisfy the American public at thi
time.