The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-30

gation Of the attack on the Gulflight- that German submarine was respon- sible and an inquiry to the German for eign office for it's report on the case fs expected to go forward within a day or two.
 The preponderanee of evidence showing an attack on the Nebraskan after 1t was believed that submarine attacks on neu- tral vessels would cease, at least while the negotiations were in progress, admit tedly increased the tension in relations with Germany In German quarters 1t was suggested that if the ship was attacked by a German submarine the commander may have been away from his base too long to learn of the new developments and the precautions to be taken with respect to neutral ships The fact that the Nebraskan had hauled down her flag at dark was also mentioned as a possible reason for suspecting that she was an enemy vessel, although Captain Greene, in his affidavit declares the name of his ship was painted on her sides in letters six feet high and that it was possible for a submarine commander to see them. Incidentally. the state depart ment received from Ambassador Gerard today a circular issued by the German government warning neutral vessels to keep their names illuminated at night and to bear as many distinguish Ing marks as possible because of the pos sibility of mistaken attacks.
 Bryan Declines Comment
 Seer etarv Bryan declined to comment on the Nebras slSan case referring inquiries to an examination of the facts as given cut in q formal statement during the day. He said also that he had received up to a late hour tonight no word as urh f1ta I ceived here, but on the assumption that if had been presented to Ambassador Gerard this forenoon, he estimated that with the time required for translation from German in Berlin and the encpher ing of the communication. it might not reach Washington until late tomorrow Messages have been delayed on an aver age of "A hours in coming from Berlin to Washington via Copenhagen and Tson- don-the route by which official mes sages are sent to the state department.
 While officials did not care to comment on the German reply until they had read the text, the forecast of it's contents was looked on in well informed quarters as not difficult to answer because the Amer ican government had made a careful in. vestigation of the facts in the case be- fore sending it's note
 The claim of Germany that the Lusi- tania was built as an auxiliary cruiser and was carried on the British navy lists as such is met with the statement that the British government had never published the Lusitania on it's navy list and that such action was neces- sary before it could be considered as an auxiliary cruiser Also the Lustania carried no guns. either mounted or dis mounted, according to the investigation by Collector Malone at New York be- fore the vessel sailed. There has been q distinct understanding between the United States and Great Britain, 1t was saiu. that none of her merchantmen sailing from the United States would be armed. The fact that merchant man subsequently might become an auxiliary cruiser is recognized as a pos sibility but the United States has all ways understood the British position to be that such change could not be accomplished during a voyage and only in ? home port.
 Not Contrary to Law
 The carrying of arms and ammuni- tion is not contrary to American jaw as the German reports claim, federal statutes being directed against the transportation of self f-eXploding mate rial from which class official rulings mary years ago excluded fixed ammu- nilion.
 Gcrmany's contention that 1t is i'm possible to settle the question of neither proper opportunity was given the passengers to escape until it is determined whether the Lusitania was equipped with the 1ifeboats and appur tenances provided for in regulations adopted after the Titanic sank, was looked upon in official quarters as IT, relevant because if was pointed out the torpedoing of the Lusltania with cut a moments warning made 1t i'm possible to launch such lifeboats as the ship did carry
 From the brief outline. it was not believed that the German note went beyond the circular of May II, which promised to express regrets and make rcparation for mistaken attacks on neutral vessels. In the American note of May 13 it was pointed out that such pi omses did not remove the dangers to which Americans and their vessels were subject. The absence in the forth coming note of any promises to safe guard American lives on unarmed mer- cnantmen of any nationality and the failure to disavow intention to destroy American lives on the Lustania pro- cuced a feeling of distinct disappoint- inent in many quarters.
 Speculation was widespread as to the Washington governments course. It was believed the German note would be promptly answered with a state ment of facts as understood by the United States and a reiteration of the dc1rand for reparation for past events and guarantees as to the future. This prediction was based, however, on no comment among officials familiar with President Wilson's viewpoint as ex- pressed on previous occasions