Evening journal., 1915-06-01
German reply IS
DISCUSSED BY Cabinet
contlnued From Page l.

Continued From Page l.
crisis caused by the loss Of American
lives in the Lusitania disaster. But
whenever questions pertaining TO
possible compromise between the
United States and Germany were
brought up, the secretary asked that
he be not pressed to answer anything
relating to possible negotiations.
Germany is fighting for the free
dom of the seas" he said. 1T is far
from Germany's intention to interfere
with neutral rights or TO become the
autocrat of the oceans"
Gould you explain in more detail
how Germany is fighting for the free
dom of the seas?" / interrupted. IL
fear that America will not under
stand"
"Well. England always claimed to
be the dictator of the high seas, con-
tinued Herr Won Jagow. until our
recent marine activities. Her rule
was never challenged We are fight
ing for the freedom OF the seas, to
make England give up her hold, be-
cause so long as one country controls
the oceans they are not free. Every
nation must have rights on the seas.
"The world must not forget that
England was the first belligerent 70
violate the rules of the oceans. Eng
land first put mines in the North Sea
and she was the first to declare a
war zone. She was the first to de-
clare that she would starve our wo-
men and children. England must be
the first to go back and make the war
normal"
The secretary emphasized this last
remark with a vehement rap on the
desk that left no doubt as to the
hrmness of his convictions.
What is Germanys position re-
garding neutrals travelling on bel
ligerent ships?" he was asked.
"Thrt returns to the Lusitania mat
ter" he replied. I'VE feel before We
discuss that officially with the United
States that the two governments must
have a clear and definite understand
ing of the facts. This is what Ger
many seeks to convey in her note.
VIC believe Americans are reasonable
enough to grant us time first to come
b an understanding on every fact.
I'VE do not believe the American
! government understands our view
point. For us il is a principle to de-
fend ourselves in every way at our
command. There was enough ammu-
milton aboard the Lusitania to kill
/ $4,000 soldiers. DO you blame us for
using every means TO destroy that
TO save the lives of $4,000 of our
mon?"
When the secretary finished his
voice trembled. showing convictions
were deeply rooted.
When I entered his office. Herr Won
Jagow was reading the autobiogra-
ply of Andrew ID. White, former
American Ambassador to Berlin. He
asked me to read Page 16S. where
White declares that the attitude of the
German foreign office toward America
during the Spanish War was "All that
could be desired"
White said that one time the Ameri-
can consul at Hamburg telegraphed
that a Spanish vessel. supposed to be
laden with arms for use against the
United States in Cuba, was leaving
port.
Il FASTENED to the foreign office and
VI Eth Nl6oibuo oAtpof Win Ant ltoul
that the vessel was Overhauled anC
searched at the mouth of the Elbe,
continued White. Germany NIGH
easily have pleaded that America hat
generally shown itself opposed to an!
interference with shipments Of small
arms to belligerents. She might alsS
have contended that she was no
Obliged to search vessels to find con
traband. but that this duty was in
cumbent upon the belligerent natioI
concerned"
The secretary closed the book with
out further comment.
With reference to the attacks ol
the American ships Gushing and Gulf
light. mentioned in the German repl.
and now under investigation, he salt
that Germany's final answer woul,
be sent to Washington within a fey
DAYS.