Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-05-13


as a matter of information as soon
as copies would be obtained.
1t is known positively hat the
United States government has had
no conversation either in Washington
or in the foreign capitals with other
governments concerning the note or
the course that will be pursued should
Germany refuse to comply.
In some quarters friendly to Ger
many, the impression prevailed that
the Berlin government would accede
to the American demands and state its
expectation that the UAlited States
would endeavor to secure the unre-
stricted passage of foodstuffs and con
ditional contraband consigned to the
civilian population of Germany.
Will Deliver Copy
When the note is finally dispatched
to Ambassador Gerard a copy of it will
be delivered here to the German m
bassy.
1t will be transmitted via Rome and
Vienna and in all likelihood may not
he presented to the German Foreign
Office before late tomorrow because
of the time hat would be required for
deciphering it by the American en-
Jassy staff in Berlin.
Although no mention is understood
to be made to the time when a reply
is expected from the imperial govern
ment the belief here is that the Ger
man Foreign Office. realizing the state
of feeling in the United States, will
answer promptly.
No Specific Demand
Officials who have seen the note
made it lear to-day Thai 1t makes no
specific demand for financial repara-
ton for the loss of American lives, but
asks reparation in general terms and
avoiding any impression that the loss
of Americans on the Lusitania could
he atoned by the mere payment of
cash indemnities,
Although nearly a week has passed
since the sinking of the Lusitania mes
sageS regarding the disaster continue
to arrive at the White House to-day
from all parts of the world. Practi-
cally all of them expressed confidence
in the President:
The German embassy issued this
statement:
The German embassy stated to-day
hat no statement or intimation had
been given by the embassy or any Off
cial of the embassy concerning what
response would be made to the Amer
ican note regarding the Lusitania.
This was brought out by a state
ment appearing in the press this morn
ing to the effect that officials of the
German embassy have outlined the
IbSlllOH VI lllG btIllldn EON IlllltIlI TO-
wards the American note regarding
the sinking of the Lusitania and have
declared that the reply would be a
partial but firm refusal to cease sub
marine warfare against belligerent
merchantships.
1T was pointed out that the Ger
man embassy officials are ignorant of
the terms of the American note; that
it had received no instructions what
ever from its government regarding
the note, and finally it was declared
that no official connected with the en-
bassy had expressed any opinion on
the subject at ALL"
Principal Points OF Note
The principal points in the note are
substantially as follows:
1.-The United State government
calls attention to the various incidents
in the war zone proclaimed by Ger
many around the British Isles; sink
ing of the British liner Falaba, with
the loss of Leon c. Thresher, an Amer
lean; the attack torpedoing without
warning of the American steamer
Gulflight, flying the Stars and Stripes,
and finally the torpedoing without
warning of the Lusitania, with it's loss
of more than a thousand lives of nom
combatants. among them more than
one hundred Americans.
2.-These acts are declared to be
lndetenSible under international law.
The United States points out that it
never admitted Germany's right to do
them. and warned the Imperial gov
eminent that it would be held to a
strict accountability" for attacks on
American vessels or lives. A strict ac-
counting, therefore, is now asked from
Germany.
3.-The usual financial reparation
will be sought, although Germany is
in effect reminded thai no reparation
a restore the lives of these sacrificed
in the sinking of the Lusitania and
other ships.
Regrets Useless Unless Attacks Stop
4.-EXpressions of regret may COM
ply with tn. legal ~precedents, but they
are valueless unless accompanied by Il
cessation. of the practices endanger-
ing lives of noncombatants.
5.-The right of neutrals to travel TO
any point of the high seas on neutral